Assessing the impact of lameness on fertility and oestrus behaviour of dairy cattle: A comparison of oestrus detection methods with the evaluation of a modern detection method
type: CreativeWork
description: It is well documented that lameness is a painful and debilitating condition that can have adverse effects on welfare and reproductive performance, including oestrus expression and intensity. Despite extensive research, lameness continues to affect dairy cow populations. This study assessed the impact of lameness on fertility and oestrus behaviour of dairy cattle. The objectives of this research were: 1) to assess dairy producers’ perception of reproductive efficiency between lame and non-lame cattle, and to determine how they manage oestrus detection for lame cows; 2) to evaluate herd fertility parameters (number of days from calving to first service, number of days from calving to conception and the number of inseminations to conception) in lame and non-lame cows, to calculate lameness prevalence for the duration of the study, and to determine if access to pasture improves locomotion scores (LCS) and oestrus activity; 3) to compare common oestrus detection methods (Kamar®, EstrotectTM scratch cards, chalk, activity monitors (NeDap, IceQube®) in lame and non-lame cows, from pastured and housed conditions; and 4) to evaluate a new oestrus detection technology (Infrared Thermography (IRT)). Through an online questionnaire, it was determined that 85% of respondents noticed behavioural changes associated with lameness (reduced oestrus expression, less mounting activity, increased lying times), and that lame cows required more inseminations to conception (3.1 (±0.1) v 2.1 (±0.1); p<0.001). The majority of respondents use the same oestrus detection methods for all cows, despite behavioural differences between lame and non-lame cows stated by the respondents. Fertility assessment of dairy cows from Rodwell farm showed that lame cows had more days from calving to first AI (n=94 (n=25 lame; n=69 non-lame)) (63.8 v 53.5; p<0.01) and from calving to conception (n=69 (n=22 lame; n=47 non-lame)) (113.5 v 84.2; p<0.01). Evaluation of LCS showed that lameness prevalence decreased …
abstract: It is well documented that lameness is a painful and debilitating condition that can have adverse effects on welfare and reproductive performance, including oestrus expression and intensity. Despite extensive research, lameness continues to affect dairy cow populations. This study assessed the impact of lameness on fertility and oestrus behaviour of dairy cattle. The objectives of this research were: 1) to assess dairy producers’ perception of reproductive efficiency between lame and non-lame cattle, and to determine how they manage oestrus detection for lame cows; 2) to evaluate herd fertility parameters (number of days from calving to first service, number of days from calving to conception and the number of inseminations to conception) in lame and non-lame cows, to calculate lameness prevalence for the duration of the study, and to determine if access to pasture improves locomotion scores (LCS) and oestrus activity; 3) to compare common oestrus detection methods (Kamar®, EstrotectTM scratch cards, chalk, activity monitors (NeDap, IceQube®) in lame and non-lame cows, from pastured and housed conditions; and 4) to evaluate a new oestrus detection technology (Infrared Thermography (IRT)). Through an online questionnaire, it was determined that 85% of respondents noticed behavioural changes associated with lameness (reduced oestrus expression, less mounting activity, increased lying times), and that lame cows required more inseminations to conception (3.1 (±0.1) v 2.1 (±0.1); p<0.001). The majority of respondents use the same oestrus detection methods for all cows, despite behavioural differences between lame and non-lame cows stated by the respondents. Fertility assessment of dairy cows from Rodwell farm showed that lame cows had more days from calving to first AI (n=94 (n=25 lame; n=69 non-lame)) (63.8 v 53.5; p<0.01) and from calving to conception (n=69 (n=22 lame; n=47 non-lame)) (113.5 v 84.2; p<0.01). Evaluation of LCS showed that lameness prevalence decreased …
author: Ward, Amanda
language: en
keywords: S Agriculture (General), SF Animal culture
date published: 2019-06
date modified: 2026-07-24T02:18:29Z
provider: University of Essex
publisher: Networked Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations
type: WebPage
source organization: University of Essex