Dear Lactnet Friends:

J Dairy Sci. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23063148#> 2012 Oct 10.
pii: S0022-0302(12)00751-5. doi: 10.3168/jds.2011-5211. [Epub ahead of
print]
The effect of training first-lactation heifers to the milking parlor on the
behavioral reactivity to humans and the physiological and behavioral
responses to milking and productivity.
Sutherland MA<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=Sutherland%20MA%5BAuthor%5D&cauthor=true&cauthor_uid=23063148>
, Huddart FJ<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed?term=Huddart%20FJ%5BAuthor%5D&cauthor=true&cauthor_uid=23063148>
.
 Source

AgResearch Ltd., Ruakura Research Centre, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand.
Electronic address: [log in to unmask]
 Abstract

The objectives of this study were (1) to determine whether training heifers
before calving would modulate the behavioral reactivity to humans and the
behavioral and physiological responses to milking routines after calving,
and (2) whether heifer temperament would affect this response. The
behavioral reactivity of heifers to humans was assessed prepartum using 4
behavioral tests (restraint, exit speed, avoidance distance in the paddock
and arena, and a voluntary approach test) and a voluntary approach test.
These behavioral tests were repeated immediately after and 12 wk after
training. Temperament was defined based on exit time from a restraint
device, and heifers were denoted as either low (LR; n = 20) or high (HR; n
= 20) responders. Two weeks before calving, half the LR and HR heifers were
selected randomly for training to the milking parlor, whereas the other
heifers were left undisturbed in the paddock. Training consisted of 4
sessions conducted over 2 consecutive days and involved introducing the
heifers to the milking platform, associated noises, and human contact.
During the first 5 d of lactation, behavioral and physiological data were
collected from all heifers, including behavior during cup attachment,
plasma cortisol concentrations, and residual milk volumes. Milk production
data were collected over the entire lactation period. Training reduced the
avoidance distance of LR but not HR heifers, and trained HR heifers stepped
more than trained LR heifers during a restraint test. The behavioral
response of heifers to the restraint test was positively correlated with
milk yield, milking duration, and residual milk volume. Trained LR heifers
flinched, stepped, and kicked more during attachment of milking clusters
than did untrained LR heifers. During the first week of lactation, total
milk yield was lower in trained than untrained HR heifers, and maximum flow
rates were higher and residual milk volumes were lower in trained than
untrained heifers, irrespective of heifer temperament. Plasma cortisol
concentrations were lower on d 5 of lactation than on d 1 and were higher
in HR heifers after milking than before milking. Over the first 8 mo of
lactation, milking duration was lower and average flow rates were higher in
trained than untrained heifers. These results suggest that trained heifers
may have experienced less distress during the first week of lactation, but
the effect of training on the behavioral and physiological responses to
milking appeared to be influenced by heifer temperament.
warmly,
Nikki Lee RN, BSN, Mother of 2, MS, IBCLC, CCE, CIMI, ANLC, CKC
craniosacral therapy practitioner
www.breastfeedingalwaysbest.com
https://www.facebook.com/nikkileehealth

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