Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences
J. Anim. Plant Sci. [ISSN 2071 - 7024]
Volume 22(2): 3433 - 3438. Published July, 2014.
Effect of regrouping Holstein cows on milk production and physical activity
M.G. Torres-Cardona1, M.E. Ortega-Cerrilla2*, J.I. Alejos-de la Fuente4, J. Herrera-Haro2 and J.G. Peralta Ortíz1.
1Instituto de Ciencias Agropecuarias. Área Académica de Medicina
Veterinaria y Zootecnia. Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo,
Av. Universidad Km. 1, C.P. 43600, Tulancingo, Hidalgo, México.
‡Programa de Ganadería. Colegio de Postgraduados Campus Montecillo.
Carr. México-Texcoco. km. 36.5. C.P. 56230. Texcoco, Estado de México.
México
4Departamento de Zootecnia. Universidad Autónoma Chapingo. Carr.
México-Texcoco km 38.5, C.P. 56230 Texcoco, Estado de México, México.
*Corresponding author: meoc@colpos.mx Tel.: +52 5959520200
Key words: Milk production, multiparous cows, physical activity. primiparous cows, regrouping.
1. ABSTRACT
Regrouping is a common practice in commercial dairy farms, which might
have adverse effects on milk production and cow’s welfare. The
objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of regrouping dairy
cows on milk production and physical activity. Data from 500 lactating
cows from the first to the fifth calving (100 cows per each parity
number), were obtained from the data base of the farm and analyzed in
order to know daily milk production (L d-1) and physical activity
(steps-h), two days before, one day before, the day of regrouping, one
day after regrouping and two days after regrouping. It was also
calculated the correlation between physical activity and milk
production There was a drop in milk production of approximately 1 L d-1
the day of regrouping compared to the days before relocation, mainly in
primiparous cows (P<0.0969). Physical activity increased for all
parity numbers (P<0.0001).There was a negative correlation (r=
-0.11938, P<0.0489) between milk production (L day-1) and physical
activity (steps h-1) for primiparous cows The results found in this
study showed that there was a tendency for both primiparous and
multiparous cows to reduce their milk production on the day of
relocation, and physical activity increased. Regrouping had a higher
impact on primiparous than multiparous cows.
FULL PAPER [PDF AVAILABLE HERE ]
