As dairy producers know, cows in a comfortable, low-stress environment give more milk, suffer less lameness, and may even have healthier calves. What may not be obvious, though, is just how critically important the hours of resting and rumination time are to achieving that level of comfort.
The time budget of a lactating dairy cow is the daily time devoted to six activities: eating, lying/resting, social interactions, ruminating, drinking, and management activities (such as milking or pregnancy checks), some of which overlap. Lying/resting time should occupy at least 12 to 14 hours per day.1
Studies show the benefits of increased resting time
Study after study demonstrates that when a cow has more time for lying/resting and rumination, and spends less time in management activities, her milk productivity and overall health improve:
- In one study, each hour increase in resting time resulted in a gain of 1.7 kg (3.7 lbs.) of milk production per cow per day.1
- In another study, meeting the time requirement for resting resulted in greater milk yield or 5–8 lbs. per day more, as well as less lameness.2
- Increased lying time has a potential benefit for fetal growth. A third study showed that significantly more blood flowed to the gravid uterine horn when cows were lying, relative to when they were standing.3
- A variety of studies summarized in Veterinary Quarterly found negative effects when lockup times were greater than 4 hours.4
Overall, research indicates substantial benefits from increased lying/resting time and reduced lockup times.
Many dairy producers have turned to sample-based pregnancy testing to give more time back to the cow
Sample-based test methods (as opposed to ultrasound or palpation) require either a blood or a milk sample, which is then analyzed for the presence of pregnancy associated glycoproteins or PAGS. PAGS are produced by the cow only in the presence of a placenta, making them a top-notch indicator of pregnancy.
While conventional ultrasound or palpation can require cows to remain in headlocks for an hour or more, blood or milk samples can be taken during or right after milking. The sampling requires only a few minutes before the cow is released back to the pen. And because the tests are noninvasive, cows experience less stress.
Brandon Beavers
Full Circle dairy, with over 5,000 cows, switched to sample-based testing a few years ago, using an IDEXX Alertys blood-based test. According to Brandon Beavers, general manager, “Before the sample-based testing… the biggest challenges were the time budget of the cow, the lock-up times, the time that it took to do the ultrasound vet checks, as well as keeping skilled labor that could manage that ultrasound process.”
Beavers notes, “If you’re currently using palpation or ultrasound, I would challenge anyone to really look at the time budget of the cow and how much time it’s taking to get through those cows, … as well as the opportunity to identify those pregnancies earlier in the gestation.”
Mike McCarty
McCarty Family Farms, of Rexford Kansas, made the switch in 2015, choosing a milk-sampling method. Owner Mike McCarty says, “Our animal welfare program definitely plays a factor… Anything to reduce stress on cows…The more we can leave that cow alone, the better.”5
Pregnancy test options
Sample-based pregnancy tests are available from only a few companies, with IDEXX being the largest provider, with over 45 million tests sold worldwide during the past 12 years.
IDEXX sells a variety of both blood- and milk-based tests under its Alertys brand. There are testing options for any operation, from small to large producers. Depending on the test, samples can be processed on site, sent to a DHIA or private lab, or sent to the IDEXX Bovine Laboratory Services.
Both blood and milk samples can be drawn by dairy employees, and both test types are equally accurate (about 98%). In some cases, sample-based tests may be even more accurate than conventional methods, given that ultrasound and palpation are influenced by human subjectivity, training, and fatigue.
Comfort and safety extend to dairy staff and veterinarians
McCarty notes that sample-based testing offers other benefits for his operation, besides cow comfort.
“We wanted to improve worker safety, so by changing how we interact with cows on a daily basis, we’re hoping to provide a safer workplace. In addition, we’re hoping to enhance the safety of the animal....Just trying to reduce the interaction, reduce that chance for something happening when people and cows interact.”
Veterinarians also report benefits in terms of personal comfort. Physical pregnancy detection methods like ultrasound or palpation can take a toll. According to Dr. Greg Goodell, of The Dairy Authority, “Palpating is very physical work that takes a toll on the body. Many dairy practitioners who palpated for years now are paying a physical price through shoulder surgeries and chronic pain.”6
Making the decision—what to keep in mind
Every dairy producer will need to weigh the options for their operation. Some things to consider:
- It’s important to discuss all the options with the team and with the veterinarian to make the right decision for the dairy.
- For the milk-based option, the producer will want to confirm that the DHIA or local lab can run the test. Although if the local lab can’t, IDEXX offers a sample pickup service for milk or blood samples. Tests are run at the IDEXX lab and the results can be sent back through the farm management system the next day. Producers can contact IDEXX to learn more.
- An important consideration is how soon a test can accurately detect pregnancy. The IDEXX sample-based methods can detect pregnancy as early as 28 days after insemination. Ultrasound offers some unique advantages, such as identifying the sex and viability of the fetus but can be variable and subjective based on experience and is only accurate from about 60 days after insemination.7
As Mike McCarty says, “As far as advantages/disadvantages, you have to weigh it out in your operations—the pros and cons… For us, this was an easy decision.”
IDEXX Alertys sample-based pregnancy tests provide accurate, fast results as early as 28 days after insemination to reduce days open, increase production, and improve overall herd health. Based on easy-to-collect blood or milk samples, Alertys tests reduce pregnancy check times, giving more time back to the cow for resting and rumination, essential to cow comfort and productivity.
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REFERENCES
- Grant RJ. Cows under pressure: What have we learned about stocking density and natural cow behavior? 2007. Section 4 in Proc 47th Annu New England Dairy Feed Conf and Ruminant Nutrition and Health Conf. West Lebanon, NH and Syracuse, NY.
- Grant R. Economic Benefits of Improved Cow Comfort. William H. Miner Agricultural Research Institute. Chazny, NY. 2012. Novus International, Inc.
- Krawczel PD. The Importance of Lying Behavior in the Well-Being and Productivity of Dairy Cows. 2016. UT Extension Publication.
- Papinchak L, Paudyal S, Pineiroa J . Effects of prolonged lock-up time on milk production and health of dairy cattle. Vet Q. 42(1) 2022:175-182; doi: 10.1080/01652176.2022.2119622.
- IDEXX Laboratories. Alertys pregnancy tests: A case study from McCarty Family Farms. https://www.idexx.com/en/livestock/livestock-tests/ruminant-tests/idexx-pregnancy-tests/
- Goodell G. The Dairy Authority blog. 2022. https://www.dairymd.com/post/the-perks-of-sample-based-pregnancy-testing.
- Binelli M, Martins T, Arthington J, et al. Practical Uses for Ultrasound in Managing Beef Cattle Reproduction. University of Florida Extension website. https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/AN113. Accessed 5/15/2023.
