An Imaging System for Monitoring the Feeding Behavior of Dairy Cows

( Cheng-yu Kuan ),( Yu-chi Tsai ),( Chen-yu Cheng ),( Jih-tay Hsu ),( Shih-torng Dnig ),( Ta-te Lin ) 한국농업기계학회 2018 한국농업기계학회 학술발표논문집 Vol.23 No.1

In sub-tropical countries, dairy cows tend to experience heat stress problems. This phenomenon may lead to declines in feed intake, milk production, and fertility. Under normal conditions, the dairy cows have a regular feeding and drinking time. For this reason, changes in feeding behavior can be a possible indicator to detect heat stress phenomena that can help farm owners monitor dairy cow health. In order to monitor and record the feeding behavior of dairy cows, an imaging system is proposed herein. The imaging system uses Raspberry Pi 3, as the embedded system, and a camera module to acquire images for dairy cow face detection in front of the feeding area to confirm if the dairy cow is eating. The dairy cow faces are detected through cascade-AdaBoost algorithms which can automatically select weak classifiers to form a strong classifier with fast processing speed in an embedded system. The factors affecting the performance of the dairy cow face detection algorithm have been tested and optimized. The system has been tested in a feeding area in National Taiwan University’s dairy farm, which has 25 dairy cows in total. By converting the frequency of dairy cow face detection into feeding time, the feeding behavior of grouped dairy cows can be analyzed. Furthermore, combining the temperature humidity index (THI) and feeding behavior can provide the farm owners with an index to evaluate the level heat stress of dairy cows.

Risk Factors for the Probability of Pregnancy Following Synchronization Protocols in Dairy Cows

정재관,강현구,정영훈,허태영,김일화 한국임상수의학회 2014 한국임상수의학회지 Vol.31 No.5

The objective of this study was to determine the risk factors associated with pregnancy following 3synchronization protocols in dairy cows. Data were collected on 1,952 cows from 22 dairy farms, includingsynchronization protocols (PGF2α + estradiol benzoate [PG+EB], Ovsynch, and CIDR-ovsynch), cow parity, bodycondition score (BCS), and dates of previous calving, insemination and conception. The odds ratio (OR) for pregnancywere analyzed by logistic regression using the LOGISTIC procedure in SAS. The analysis revealed that farm (p = 0.005),cow parity (p = 0.0001), BCS (p < 0.005), and AI season (p < 0.05) significantly affected and calving to AI intervaltended to affect (p < 0.1) the probability for pregnancy. Although synchronization protocols did not affect the probabilityfor pregnancy (p > 0.05), cow parity and synchronization protocols showed a significant interaction (p < 0.005); theOR (0.60) was significantly lower (p < 0.0001) for multiparous cows compared to primiparous cows using PG+EB,whereas the OR (1.44) tended to be higher (p < 0.1) for multiparous cows compared to primiparous cows using theOvsynch, and the probability for pregnancy did not differ between multiparous and primiparous cows using the CIDRovsynch(p > 0.05). Cows with BCS ≥ 3.00 were more likely pregnant (OR: 1.41) compared with cows havingBCS ≤ 2.75, whereas cows inseminated during summer had a lower OR (0.73) compared with those inseminated duringspring. Cows with a calving to AI interval > 150 days were more likely to be pregnant (OR: 1.20) compared withcows with a calving to AI interval ≤ 150 days. In conclusion, the OR for pregnancy following synchronization protocolsin dairy cows was affected by farm, parity, BCS, calving to AI interval of the cow, and AI season, and there wasa significant interaction between cow parity and synchronization protocols; the OR for pregnancy was lower formultiparous cows compared with primiparous cows using the PG+EB protocol.

젖소에서 일련의 Presynch-Ovsynch-Resynch protocol을 이용한 번식관리 예

김일화,Nilo Francisco 한국임상수의학회 2010 한국임상수의학회지 Vol.27 No.4

This study was to evaluate the usefulness of a programmed reproductive management including Presynch-Ovsynch-Resynch protocol in lactating dairy cows. Nine hundred and thirty four cows calved during February to May 2008 were used for this study. Cows received im injections of 25 mg PGF2α at 45 ± 3 and 59 ± 3 days in milk (DIM). Fourteen days later, Ovsynch was initiated with an im injection of 100 μg GnRH (73 ± 3 DIM), 25 mg PGF2α 7 days later (80 ± 3 DIM), 100 μg GnRH 56 h later and timed artificial insemination (TAI) 16 h after the GnRH injection. Cows showed estrus during the Presynch-Ovsynch, were inseminated artificially according to am-pm rule. Pregnancy was determined on 32 days after AI using ultrasonography. Cows diagnosed pregnant were re-examined for pregnancy by rectal palpation at 60 days after AI. Non-pregnant cows were resynchronized by receiving 100 μg GnRH, 25 mg PGF2α 7 days later, 100 μg GnRH 56 h later and TAI 16 h after. Cows with estrus since the first AI before the completion of Resynch protocol were also inseminated artificially according to am-pm rule. Pregnancy was determined by the same manner as following the first AI. Fifty five percents of the cows treated showed estrus and received AI before completion of the Presynch-Ovsynch protocol, while 45% received TAI, regardless of estrus exhibition following the completion of the protocol. The pregnancy rate following the first AI was higher in cows that showed estrus and received AI (43.3 and 38.5%) during the Presynch-Ovsynch than cows with TAI (34.6 and 29.6%) on 32 and 60days after AI (P < 0.01). Sixty six percents of cows diagnosed non-pregnant following the first AI showed estrus before the completion of Resynch protocol and received AI, while 34% received TAI, regardless of estrus exhibition following the completion of the protocol. The pregnancy rate following the second AI was higher in cows that showed estrus before the completion of Resynch protocol and received AI (40.2 and 36.8%) than cows with TAI (21.2 and 18.2%)on 32 and 60 days after AI (P < 0.01). The cumulative pregnancy rates following the first and second AIs were 60.8and 53.9% on 32 and 60 days after AI, respectively. These data suggest that inclusion of Presynch-Ovsynch-Resynch protocol and estrus detection into the programmed reproductive management might be an alternative option to control dairy cattle breeding.

Risk Factors for Late Embryonic Mortality in Dairy Cows

김수영,정재관,이수찬,강현구,김일화 한국임상수의학회 2017 한국임상수의학회지 Vol.34 No.2

We determined the risk factors for late embryonic mortality in dairy cows. We diagnosed pregnancy at 31 days and then confirmed the diagnosis at 45 days after artificial insemination (AI) via ultrasonography. The presence of an embryo with a heartbeat was the criterion for a positive pregnancy diagnosis. A diagnosis of late embryonic mortality was made when there was no positive sign of pregnancy in cows previously diagnosed as pregnant. The overall incidence of late embryonic mortality among 3,695 pregnancies was 6.9%. Logistic regression analysis revealed that herd size, AI month, synchronization protocol, and postpartum disease were important risk factors for late embryonic mortality. Herd size > 100 (odds ratio [OR]: 0.66, p < 0.05) and 50-100 lactating cows (OR: 0.63, p < 0.01) had lower risks of late embryonic mortality than herd size < 50 lactating cows. Cows inseminated during May-July had a higher risk (OR: 1.49, p < 0.05) of late embryonic mortality than cows inseminated during February-April. Cows inseminated after estrus following PGF2α treatment also had a higher risk (OR: 1.77, p < 0.001) of late embryonic mortality than cows inseminated following natural estrus. Lastly, cows with postpartum disease tended to have a higher risk (OR: 1.26, p < 0.1) of late embryonic mortality than cows without postpartum disease. In conclusion, late embryonic mortality associated with the herd size, AI month, synchronization protocol, and postpartum disease in dairy cows.

Influence of Mentha×piperita L. (Peppermint) Supplementation on Nutrient Digestibility and Energy Metabolism in Lactating Dairy Cows

Hosoda, K.,Nishida, T.,Park, W.Y.,Eruden, B. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 2005 Animal Bioscience Vol.18 No.12

The characteristic smell of cow milk was suppressed when herbs were consumed by lactating dairy cows. But it is unclear whether or not peppermint ingestion affects the nutritional and milk production parameters in lactating dairy cows. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of peppermint feeding to lactating dairy cows on nutrient digestibility, energy metabolism, ruminal fermentation and milk production. Eight Holstein cows were given a diet supplemented with or without 5% of dried peppermint per diet on a dry matter basis. The digestion of nutrients from cows fed the diet with peppermint was significantly lower than that of the control group. Energy loss as methane and methane released from cows receiving the peppermint treatment was significantly lower than that in the control cows. Peppermint feeding to cows resulted in the promotion of thermogenesis. However, ruminal fermentation and milk production were not affected by peppermint feeding. In conclusion, peppermint ingestion by lactating dairy cows reduces the nutrient digestibility and methanogenesis, and changes energy metabolism.

Effects of Dystocia on the Postpartum Complications, Milk Production and Reproductive Performance in Dairy Cows

Dong-Uk Kim,Soo-Chan Lee,Jae-Kwan Jeong,In-Soo Choi,Sung-Ho Moon,,Hyun-Gu Kang,Ill-Hwa Kim 한국임상수의학회 2016 한국임상수의학회지 Vol.33 No.2

This field study investigated the effects of dystocia on the postpartum complications, milk production, and reproductive performance in Holstein dairy cows. Calving difficulty was scored on a rank scale of 1 to 5. Cows with a calving score of three or higher were judged to have dystocia. The cows (n = 565) were categorized based on the presence (n = 61) or absence (n = 504, control) of dystocia. The incidence of retained placenta (45.9% vs. 16.3%), metritis (39.3% vs. 17.1%), endometritis (47.5% vs. 16.3%) and pyometra (9.8% vs. 1.2%) were greater in cows from the dystocia group than those from the control group (p < 0.0001); however, there was no difference in the incidence of metabolic disorders (32.8% vs. 31.0%) between the two groups (p > 0.05). The prevalence of culling was higher in cows from the dystocia group (26.2%) than in those from the control group (14.5%, p < 0.05). During the 5-month postpartum period, milk production was lower (p < 0.05) in cows from the dystocia group than in those from the control group. Furthermore, the hazard of insemination by 150 days in milk (DIM) was lower in cows from the dystocia group (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.64, p < 0.005) than in those from the control group. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the odds ratio for the probability of pregnancy after the first artificial insemination was 0.36 times (p < 0.05) higher in cows from the dystocia group than in those from the control group. The hazard of pregnancy by 360 DIM was lower in cows from the dystocia group (HR = 0.45, p = 0.0001) than in those from the control group. In conclusion, dystocia resulted in increased postpartum complications, and decreased milk production and reproductive performance in Holstein dairy cows, leading to increased culling.

Effects of heat stress on body temperature, milk production, and reproduction in dairy cows: a novel idea for monitoring and evaluation of heat stress — A review

Jiangjing Liu,Lanqi Li,Xiaoli Chen,Yongqiang Lu,DONG WANG 아세아·태평양축산학회 2019 Animal Bioscience Vol.32 No.9

Heat stress exerts a substantial effect on dairy production. The temperature and humidity index (THI) is widely used to assess heat stress in dairy operations. Herein, we review the effects of high temperature and humidity on body temperature, feed intake, milk production, follicle development, estrous behavior, and pregnancy in dairy cows. Analyses of the effects of THI on dairy production have shown that body temperature is an important physiological parameter in the evaluation of the health state of dairy cows. Although THI is an important environmental index and can help to infer the degree of heat stress, it does not reflect the physiological changes experienced by dairy cows undergoing heat stress. However, the simultaneous measurement of THI and physiological indexes (e.g., body temperature) would be very useful for improving dairy production. The successful development of automatic detection techniques makes it possible to combine THI with other physiological indexes (i.e., body temperature and activity), which could help us to comprehensively evaluate heat stress in dairy cows and provide important technical support to effectively prevent heat stress.

Innate immunity and carbohydrate metabolism alterations precede occurrence of subclinical mastitis in transition dairy cows

Dervishi, Elda,Zhang, Guanshi,Hailemariam, Dagnachew,Dunn, Suzana M.,Ametaj, Burim N. Korean Society of Animal Sciences and Technology 2015 한국축산학회지 Vol.57 No.12

Background: This study examined whether activation of innate immunity and alterations of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism precede development of subclinical mastitis (SCM). Methods: Blood samples were collected from the coccygeal vein from 100 Holstein dairy cows at -8, -4, disease diagnosis week, and +4 weeks postpartum. Six healthy cows (controls - CON) and six cows that showed clinical signs of SCM were selected for serum analyses. All serum samples were analyzed for acute phase proteins (APP) haptoglobin (Hp) and serum amyloid A (SAA); proinflammatory cytokines including interleukin 1 (IL-1), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and serum lactate, BHBA, and NEFA concentration. Data of DMI, milk production, and milk composition were recorded and analyzed. Results: The results showed that cows with SCM had greater concentrations of SAA, TNF (P < 0.01), and lactate before expected day of parturition (P < 0.05) compared to CON cows. Cows with SCM showed greater concentrations of lactate starting at -8 weeks (P < 0.05) and TNF starting at -4 weeks prior to the expected day of parturition (P < 0.01). Interestingly, at -4 weeks, concentrations of IL-1 and Hp were lower in cows with SCM compared to healthy cows (P < 0.01) followed by an increase during the week of disease diagnosis (P < 0.05). Subclinical mastitis was associated with lower DMI, at -4 weeks before calving, milk production (P < 0.05) and increased somatic cell counts (SCC) (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Results of this study suggest that SCM is preceded by activated innate immunity and altered carbohydrate metabolism in transition dairy cows. Moreover the results support the idea that Hp, lactate, and SAA, at -8 weeks, and TNF and IL-1 at -4 weeks can be used as early indicators to screen cows during dry off for disease state.

RESEARCH : Open Access ; Innate immunity and carbohydrate metabolism alterations precede occurrence of subclinical mastitis in transition dairy cows

( Elda Dervishi ),( Guanshi Zhang ),( Dagnachew Hailemariam ),( Suzana M. Dunn ),( Burim N. Ametaj ) 한국동물자원과학회(구 한국축산학회) 2015 한국축산학회지 Vol.57 No.46

Background: This study examined whether activation of innate immunity and alterations of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism precede development of subclinical mastitis (SCM). Methods: Blood samples were collected from the coccygeal vein from 100 Holstein dairy cows at -8, -4, disease diagnosis week, and +4 weeks postpartum. Six healthy cows (controls . CON) and six cows that showed clinical signs of SCM were selected for serum analyses. All serum samples were analyzed for acute phase proteins (APP) haptoglobin (Hp) and serum amyloid A (SAA); proinflammatory cytokines including interleukin 1 (IL-1), IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and serum lactate, BHBA, and NEFA concentration. Data of DMI, milk production, and milk composition were recorded and analyzed. Results: The results showed that cows with SCM had greater concentrations of SAA, TNF (P < 0.01), and lactate before expected day of parturition (P < 0.05) compared to CON cows. Cows with SCM showed greater concentrations of lactate starting at -8 weeks (P < 0.05) and TNF starting at -4 weeks prior to the expected day of parturition (P < 0.01). Interestingly, at -4 weeks, concentrations of IL-1 and Hp were lower in cows with SCM compared to healthy cows (P < 0.01) followed by an increase during the week of disease diagnosis (P < 0.05). Subclinical mastitis was associated with lower DMI, at -4 weeks before calving, milk production (P < 0.05) and increased somatic cell counts (SCC) (P < 0.01). Conclusions: Results of this study suggest that SCM is preceded by activated innate immunity and altered carbohydrate metabolism in transition dairy cows. Moreover the results support the idea that Hp, lactate, and SAA, at -8 weeks, and TNF and IL-1 at -4 weeks can be used as early indicators to screen cows during dry off for disease state.

Application of Artificial Insemination Technology for Dairy Breeding in Mongolia

진종인,김성수,조현태,최병현,이정규,김윤식,김삼철,조규완,Tumor Baldan,공일근 사단법인 한국동물생명공학회 2011 한국동물생명공학회지 Vol.26 No.4

This study was focused on improvement of milk production in Mongolian dairy industry by artificial insemination (AI)technology, supported by ODA of KOICA in Republic of Korea. This program was started in January 2009 and it is in 3rd years. This manuscript summarized the data especially on estrus synchronization and pregnancy establishment in dairy cows (Holstein) this year. A total of 81 dairy cows from 4 private farms (38 from Undarmal milk and that of 30, 8 and 5 dairy cows from Onjin (Enkhbayer), Jargalant, and BRM School farms respectively) were synchronized with 5 ml Lutalyse (i.m.) in the dump of dairy cows and then estrus was detected 2 to 3 days after PGF2α injection. The synchronized dairy cows were inseminated with 0.5 ml dairy frozen semen by conventional artificial insemination (AI) techniques. Pregnancy was diagnosed about 60 days after AI by palpation method. About 96.3% (78/81) of synchronized cows were responded to single PGF2α injection. Total 75 over 78 dairy cows (90.1%) inseminated were diagnosed as pregnant. The estrus induction and pregnancy rates were very effective using Lutalyse injection and conventional AI techniques in Mongolian dairy cow. The present results indicated that AI after estrus induction in Mongolian dairy cows could be applied to dairy breeding technology for improving breeding efficiency and milk production of the country