STRESSANDTRAUMAOFWINTERHOUSING

1 February 2002




STRESSANDTRAUMAOFWINTERHOUSING

Maximum production

efficiency requires happy

cows kept in stress-free

winter accommodation.

Jeremy Hunt reports

THE stress and trauma being suffered by UK dairy cows which are imprisoned for months on end in cubicle buildings is having a serious impact on herd health, longevity, milk let-down and yield.

Dairy consultant Helen Costello believes that you only have to look at how cows live during the grazing season to realise the shortcomings of most winter housing systems.

Mrs Costello, who is based in Tipperary, Eire, says cows are long suffering and forgiving. "They will put up with a lot, but that isnt to say they are happy and contented or that they are performing as efficient, healthy milkers during winter.

"We are dealing with a grazing herd animal. We provide her with fields to graze in during the summer in an open situation where the instinctive herd hierarchy has the space it requires.

"But in winter we drive cows inside and lock the doors. Suddenly, we expect them to adapt to an environment which is completely alien. We place them in a situation where they are living cheek by jowl. They are forced to cope with the limitations imposed by cubicles and to make matters worse, they have to move around on a wet and slippery surface covered in their own muck."

Mrs Costello says wider recognition of the impact of low-grade stress on the psychological state of dairy cows should not be dismissed as wacky.

"Animals and humans can cope far better with a major one-hit stress situation than protracted stress, which slowly undermines the mental state. This low-grade stress is something many cows are suffering every day during winter housing. The knock-on effects are colossal.

"There are many areas in which your cows are having to cope with stress and the cumulative effect is very damaging." This includes cubicles which are too small, inadequate collecting yards, limited trough space and problems in the parlour, which can include stray voltage.

While some producers believe they know whats best for their cows, Mrs Costello says most realise that cows instinctively know whats best for themselves.

Providing a loafing area or a stand-off pad is the first stage of giving cows the opportunity for some relief from the stress of winter housing. "Its the first step in acknowledging the cows psychological welfare requirements and many will be surprised how she responds."

Bark-littered outside loafing corrals are an ideal option. Several herds in Eire have now installed stand-off pads. "These cost about £55 a cow-place and provide an ideal opportunity for cows to get away from the tensions that exist in the cubicle house.

"If stand-off pads cant be provided, consider allowing cows access to an outside feed area. Just think how good it feels to go outside and get a breath of invigorating fresh air when youve been cooped up inside."

Fears that cold weather will reduce milk yield has led to a reluctance to allow cows any access to uncovered areas. But such concerns are unfounded, according to Mrs Costello, who says it would be more beneficial than detrimental.

She also believes there has been a huge error of judgment by those who advocate slatted floors in cubicle buildings. "How would we feel if we had to live our lives walking around on top of a pit full of our own muck? It must cause huge stress to cows." This also causes ammonia to drift up into the cubicle house.

"When you spend time thinking about these things you start to realise just what cows are expected to put up with. Because it isnt instinctive for a cow to show any measure of complaint, she suffers in silence. The only way she expresses the failings of her environment is through her health and productivity."

Other areas that deserve closer attention within the housing system are the width of passageways, cubicle dimensions, positioning of water troughs and layout of collecting yards. Relieving the stress caused by the physical shortcomings of the housing system will also go some way to reducing bullying, by allowing more space and creating fewer problem hot spots.

Stray-voltage may also cause stress in the parlour. Many cows are never properly milked-out because they find it impossible to relax enough in the parlour to completely let their milk down, warns Mrs Costello.

"It never fails to amaze me how much most cows will endure. I have seen cows coming into a milking parlour where there has been up to two volts of stray voltage – three volts would kill them."

&#8226 Can reduce performance.

&#8226 Provide outdoor area.

&#8226 Avoid slats and slippery surfaces.


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