Sense of sensors in transition management at the dairy farm

F. Van Eerdenburg, P. Hut, G. Hooijer, A. Harbers, E. N. Stassen, J. Hulsen

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterAcademicpeer-review

    Abstract

    Sensors can measure various types of behavior automatically in a dairy herd. They can, therefore, be used to monitor a herd and the computer can detect deviations of normal behavior and give an attention to the farmer. In order to do so, normal baseline values are needed. Since these may vary due to parity and housing conditions, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of parity and freestall bedding (cow matrasses vs. deep litter) on daily lying time, locomotion behavior, standing and eating time during the transition period at dairy farms. Sixteen Dutch dairy farms were incorporated in this study and the total number of steps per day, time of standing and lying (in seconds per 2 h period) and time eating (in sec per 2 hours) were collected by means of Nedap smart tags (Groenlo, the Netherlands) from 6 weeks ante‐partum to 4 weeks post‐partum. Furthermore, in the first two weeks post‐partum blood samples were collected to measure BHB levels. The results regarding locomotion behavior revealed that primiparous cows made 833 (±132; P
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationInternational Forum: Livestock housing - let's build the future
    Place of PublicationLille France
    PublisherRMT Batiments
    Publication statusPublished - 2017

    Publication series

    NameInternational Forum: Livestock housing - let's build the future

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