Relationships among behavior, climate and milk production in a dairy cattle farm in Northern Italy

Abstract

Knowledge on the effect of behavior and welfare on dairy cattle’s health and production has been increasing, highlighting the need of satisfactory animals’ living conditions. Among others, the lying time represents a signal for health and welfare status as well as for milk production. In this study, a one-year test on primiparous cows on a dairy cattle farm in Northern Italy was carried out in order to evaluate the effect of lying time on other variables and vice versa. Accelerometers and environmental sensors were installed on animals and in the barn. Weather data were collected from a data station on farm. Statistical analyses were carried out to identify the effect among the monitored variables, showing interesting results on behavior and production of dairy cattle. In particular, the behavior in the first weeks of the lactation period affects the behavior and milk production during the whole lactation.