RESUMO
Dairy cows are regularly handled when moved to the milking parlor and during other routine procedures. Low-stress handling methods are important in avoiding negative welfare states for dairy cattle. Tail twisting is used by some handlers to prompt cattle movement. However, when used inappropriately with excessive force, tail twisting can lead to a broken tail. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine cow-level factors that may be associated with the prevalence of broken tails in dairy cattle. A subset of 229 Holstein dairy cows (68 primiparous and 161 multiparous) at a single dairy were assessed for broken tails from the larger herd (N = 1,356). Tails were visually assessed for the presence of fractures by a single trained observer. A tail was classified as unfractured if it laid straight when at rest and as fractured if there were deviations in the tail when at rest. Poisson regression models were used to identify associations between cow-level characteristics and broken tails and compute adjusted prevalence ratios (PR). The prevalence of broken tails was 45.8% (105/229) at the time of assessment. Multiparous cows had a greater prevalence of broken tails than primiparous cows [PR = 1.70; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11-2.59]. The prevalence of broken tails was also greater for cows treated for mastitis ≥2 times than cows treated once for mastitis (PR = 1.84; 95% CI: 1.08-3.13) and cows never treated for mastitis (PR = 1.36; 95% CI: 1.02-1.82). Results from this study indicated that the longer a cow was present on the farm and the more times she was treated for mastitis, the more likely she was to experience a broken tail. These findings suggest that the relationship between dairy cow handling, health, and welfare is a multifactorial issue.
RESUMO
Surplus neonatal dairy calves are routinely transported long distances from the dairy farm of birth to calf raisers. Most of the research assessing the effect of transportation on young calves has focused on physiology and health, without considering calf affective states. The aim of this study was to assess the affective response of young male dairy calves to transportation using conditioned place aversion (CPA) testing. Three bouts of transportation exposed dairy calves (n = 95) to transportation for 6 (n = 31), 12 (n = 32), or 16 h (n = 30). During transportation, the trailer interior was made visually distinct using blue horizontal (n = 2 groups) or red vertical (n = 1 group) stripes. Distinct color and pattern combinations were used to create a visual association with transportation. A subset of calves (6 h = 14; 12 h = 14; 16 h = 14) were selected for CPA testing if they were ≥7 and <28 d of age at the time of testing after transport. A group of sham calves that were not transported (n = 13) and were ≥7 and <28 d of age at the time of testing also were enrolled. Wall coverings with the same color and pattern of those in the trailer were fixed in individual sham calf stalls for 6 h on the morning of transportation. Before transportation, calves were placed in a 3-compartment test apparatus with neutral walls and were able to move about freely for 15 min to habituate them to the test apparatus. Calves were CPA tested on d 2 after transportation. During the posttest, calves were placed in the test apparatus with 3 compartments including a neutral center pen (center), blue horizontal stripe compartment (side), and red vertical stripe compartment (side) for 30 min; calves were able to move throughout the apparatus freely. Time spent in each compartment was recorded using continuous observation and analyzed as a percentage of total time in the apparatus. Calves spent less time in the compartment associated with transportation compared with the compartment with no prior association (22% vs. 42% ± 3% of time in the transportation-association and no-association compartments, respectively); however, this behavior was not affected by transportation treatment. Results from this study suggest that calves may perceive transportation to be aversive regardless of duration but may also be attracted to exploring a novel stimulus.
RESUMO
Providing optimal calf care remains a challenge on many dairy farms and has important implications for the future health, welfare, and productivity of male and female calves. Recent research suggests that male dairy calves receive a lower quality of care early in life than female calves, but further investigation is required to determine the factors that influence this disparity. The objectives of this study were to understand dairy producer perspectives on neonatal calf care practices and explore differences between male and female calf care. Overall, 23 dairy producers in Ontario, Canada, participated in 4 focus groups about calf care practices that were recorded and evaluated qualitatively using thematic analysis. Major barriers for good calf care included lack of knowledge about the best management practices for calf care and the prioritization of farm resources toward the milking herd. Some producers also noted that farm infrastructure (particularly during challenging weather) and employee training were important limitations. The economic cost of providing good neonatal calf care was important primarily for male calves and acted as a motivation or a barrier depending on the producer's beliefs about calf care and how they chose to market their calves. The primary source of knowledge producers used to develop calf care practices was their own experience, although many also relied on dairy-industry advisors, most often veterinarians. Producers were motivated by social norms, along with intrinsic pride and obligation to provide good calf care, and these motives were influenced by their emotional state. Producers expressed beliefs about which aspects of calf care are most important-notably colostrum management-and appreciated simple and economical solutions to calf-rearing challenges. Calf care practices were varied, and we identified a diversity of knowledge, motivations, and barriers to adopting best management practices, which sometimes differed between male and female calves. Some producers said that they did not know what happened to their male calves after they left the farm and tended to prioritize the care of female over male calves in subtle ways, such as less timely provision of colostrum. The infrastructure investment and other costs associated with caring for male calves often limited their care, but producers were still motivated to provide adequate care for male calves. These findings represent potential targets for additional research and intervention strategies to improve calf care practices on dairy farms.