Using precision livestock farming for dairy herd management

Abstract

The aim of this study was to validate selected precision livestock farming (PLF) methods of nutrition and feeding management of high-yielding Holstein dairy cows. In a feeding trial with 36 dairy cows, the effect of replacing 0.1 kg of sodium bicarbonate in the control total mixed ration (TMR-C) with 1 kg of wheat straw in the experimental total mixed ration (TMR-S) on the physiological status of cows and the amount of milk produced (milk yield, MY) was investigated. Feed intake time (FT), as measured using tensometric feed troughs (TFT), was significantly longer with TMR-S (188 min) than with TMR-C (157 min). Differences between TMR-C and TMR-S were not significant for FT or rumination time (RT), as measured by a sensor in the collar (VSC). There was only a weak correlation between the two technologies (TFT vs. VSC) for FT (r = 0.27). Differences between TMR-C and TMR-S were not significant for values measured in rumen fluid (pH, acid and ammonia levels) nor for values measured by sensors in the milking parlour (MY, fat and protein percentage of milk). Milk analysis in the laboratory showed that the cows fed TMR-C had higher urea (26.6 vs. 22.7 mg/100 ml) and free fatty acid (0.87 vs. 0.33 mmol/100 g) levels in milk. Moderate correlations were between TMR intake and MY (r = 0.55); between MY and milk fat (r = -0.46); between milk fat and milk protein (r = 0.63); and between milk fat and milk protein measured by sensors and in the laboratory (r = 0.47 and r = 0.42, respectively). In view of the above results, further research and data validation for each technology are needed.

Effect of Calcareous Marine Algae Buffer on High-Producing Dairy Cows during Peak Lactation

“…The highest positive correlation (r = 0.63) was found between FT (TFT) and FT (NC), although only at a moderate level [ 39 ]. These values are higher than those obtained in our previous experiment [ 18 ], where FT (TFT) was correlated with FT (NC) at r = 0.27. Logically, MY increased with the amount of TMR consumed (r = 0.451), and the correlation coefficient (r = 0.55) was higher in our previous experiment [ 18 ].…”

“…These values are higher than those obtained in our previous experiment [ 18 ], where FT (TFT) was correlated with FT (NC) at r = 0.27. Logically, MY increased with the amount of TMR consumed (r = 0.451), and the correlation coefficient (r = 0.55) was higher in our previous experiment [ 18 ]. Stone et al [ 42 ] reported a weak correlation (r = 0.22) between RT and daily MY.…”

“…The design of this study was similar to the one published by Loučka at al. [ 18 ]. The trial was carried out in the same barn with the same technology but included different dairy cows and different TMR, and its objective was different, too.…”

“…Some studies [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ] already investigated the effects of rumen buffers on pH and SARA prevention. Loučka et al [ 18 ] compared the inclusion of buffers and straw in TMR. Not all the studies have shown positive effects of buffers.…”