Dairy cow behavior in a robotic milking system
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2025v46n5p1465Keywords:
Automatic milking system, Concentrate efficiency, Eating time, Milk yield, Rumination time.Abstract
Automatic milking systems (AMS) have been adopted by farmers owing to reduced labor availability on dairy farms and improve welfare of dairy cattle. Considering the lack of knowledge about the relationship of milk yield and production efficiency with cow behavior, this study aimed to evaluate the effect of feeding behavior on milk production in an AMS herd. A total of 20234 data points collected from 52 Holstein lactating dairy cows (body weight = 650 ± 15 kg, parity = 2.3 ± 1.1, and 156 ± 65 days in milk [DIM]) housed in a compost barn were analyzed. One robot (Lely Astronaut A3 – Lely®) was equipped in the barn for all cows. Cows were fed a partially mixed ration in a bunk and received 3 kg of pelleted concentrate per milking inside the robot. Feeding behavior was recorded using an electronic system (QWES HR-LD tag – Lely®) attached to a collar around the neck of the cow. The behavioral variables included the daily time spent eating and ruminating. The productive variables included milk yield, concentrate intake inside the robot, and concentrate efficiency (kg of milk produced per kg of concentrate ingested). Cows were categorized into two classes based on eating time (Low, <270 min day-1 and High, ≥270 min day-1) and three classes based on rumination time (Low, <550 min day-1; Medium, ≥550 min day-1 and <590 min day-1; and High, >590 min day-1). Cows that spent more time eating had reduced milk yield and concentrate intake inside the robot but increased concentrate efficiency. They also had higher DIM. The rumination time was similar between the eating time classes. The eating time, milk yield, concentrate intake inside the robot, and concentrate efficiency were similar among the rumination time classes. However, cows that spent more time ruminating had higher DIM, and concentrate efficiency was positively correlated with rumination time. The time spent eating by dairy cows in the AMS is positively correlated with DIM and affects milk yield. An increase in rumination time occurs mid-lactation onward and improves concentrate efficiency in terms of milk production.
Downloads
References
Aikman, P. C., Reynolds, C. K., & Beever, D. E. (2008). Diet digestibility, rate of passage, and eating and rumination behavior of Jersey and Holstein cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 91(3), 1103-1114. doi: 10.3168/jds.2007-0724 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2007-0724
Antanaitis, R., Juozaitienė, V., Malašauskienė, D., & Televičius, M. (2019). Can rumination time and some blood biochemical parameters be used as biomarkers for the diagnosis of subclinical acidosis and subclinical ketosis? Veterinary and Animal Science, 8, 100077. doi: 10.1016/j.vas.2019.100077 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vas.2019.100077
Bach, A., & Cabrera, V. (2017). Robotic milking: feeding strategies and economic returns. Journal of Dairy Science, 100(9), 7720-7728. doi: 10.3168/jds.2016-11694 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2016-11694
Beauchemin, K. A. (2018). Invited review: current perspectives on eating and rumination activity in dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 101(6), 4762-4784. doi: 10.3168/jds.2017-13706 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2017-13706
Ben Meir, Y. A., Nikbachat, M., Fortnik, Y., Jacoby, S., Levit, H., Adin, G., Cohen Zinder, M., Shabtay, A., Gershon, E., Zachut, M., Mabjeesh, S. J., Halachmi, I., & Miron, J. (2018). Eating behavior, milk production, rumination, and digestibility characteristics of high- and low-efficiency lactating cows fed a low-roughage diet. Journal of Dairy Science, 101(12), 10973-10984. doi: 10.3168/jds.2018-14684 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2018-14684
Charlton, G. L., Bouffard, V., Gibbons, J., Vasseur, E., Haley, D. B., Pellerin, D., Rushen, J., & Passillé, A. M. (2016). Can automated measures of lying time help assess lameness and leg lesions on tie-stall dairy farms? Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 175, 14-22. doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2015.02.011 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2015.02.011
Chen, J. M., Stull, C. L., Ledgerwood, D. N., & Tucker, C. B. (2017). Muddy conditions reduce hygiene and lying time in dairy cattle and increase time spent on concrete. Journal of Dairy Science, 100(3), 2090-2103. doi: 10.3168/jds.2016-11972 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2016-11972
Fogsgaard, K. K., Bennedsgaard, T. W., & Herskin, M. S. (2015). Behavioral changes in freestall-housed dairy cows with naturally occurring clinical mastitis. Journal of Dairy Science, 98(3), 1730-1738. doi: 10.3168/jds.2014-8347 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2014-8347
Friggens, N. C., Nielsen, B. L., Kyriazakis, I., Tolkamp, B. J., & Emmans, G. C. (1998). Effects of feed composition and stage of lactation on the short-term feeding behavior of dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 81(12), 3268-3277. doi: 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(98)75891-6 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(98)75891-6
Holter, J. B., West, J. W., & McGilliard, M. L. (1997). Predicting ad libitum dry matter intake and yield of Holstein cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 80(9), 2188-2199. doi: 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(97)76167-8 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(97)76167-8
Huzzey, J. M., von Keyserlingk, M. A. G., & Weary, D. M. (2005). Changes in feeding, drinking, and standing behavior of dairy cows during the transition period. Journal of Dairy Science, 88(7), 2454-2461. doi: 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(05)72923-4 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(05)72923-4
Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística (2023). Produção da pecuária municipal 2023. IBGE. https://biblioteca.ibge.gov.br/visualizacao/periodicos/84/ppm_2023_v51_br_informativo.pdf
Jacobs, J. A., & Siegford, J. M. (2012). Invited review: the impact of automatic milking systems on dairy cow management, behavior, health, and welfare. Journal of Dairy Science, 95(5), 2227-2247. doi: 10.3168/jds.2011-4943 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2011-4943
Johnston, C., & DeVries, T. J. (2018). Short communication: associations of feeding behavior and milk production in dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 101(4), 3367-3373. doi: 10.3168/jds.2017-13743 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2017-13743
Kaufman, E. I., Asselstine, V. H., LeBlanc, S. J., Duffield, T. F., & DeVries, T. J. (2018). Association of rumination time and health status with milk yield and composition in early-lactation dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 101(1), 462-471. doi: 10.3168/jds.2017-12909 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2017-12909
King, M. T. M., Sparkman, K. J., LeBlanc, S. J., & DeVries, T. J. (2018). Milk yield relative to supplement intake and rumination time differs by health status for fresh cows milked with automated systems. Journal of Dairy Science, 101(11), 10168-10176. doi: 10.3168/jds.2018-14671 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2018-14671
Leliveld, L. M. C., & Provolo, G. (2020). A review of welfare indicators of indoor-housed dairy cow as a basis for integrated automatic welfare assessment systems. Animals, 10(8), 1430. doi: 10.3390/ani10081430 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani10081430
Li, C., Beauchemin, K. A., & Yang, W. (2020). Feeding diets varying in forage proportion and particle length to lactating dairy cows: I. Effects on ruminal pH and fermentation, microbial protein synthesis, digestibility, and milk production. Journal of Dairy Science, 103(5), 4340-4354. doi: 10.3168/jds.2019-17606 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2019-17606
Mattachini, G., Pompa, J., Finzi, A., Tullo, A., Riva, E., & Provolo, G. (2019). Effects of feeding frequency on the lying behavior of dairy cows in a loose housing with automatic feeding and milking system. Animals, 9(4), 121. doi: 10.3390/ani9040121 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9040121
McWilliams, C. J., Schwanke, A. J., & DeVries, T. J. (2022). Is greater milk production associated with dairy cows who have a greater probability of ruminating while lying down? JDS Communications, 3(1), 66-71. doi: 10.3168/jdsc.2021-0159 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3168/jdsc.2021-0159
Mikula, R., Pszczola, M., Rzewuska, K., Mucha, S., Nowak, W., & Strabel, T. (2022). The effect of rumination time on milk performance and methane emission of dairy cows fed partial mixed ration based on maize silage. Animals, 12(1), 50. doi: 10.3390/ani12010050 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani12010050
Moore, S. M., King, M. T. M., Carpenter, A. J., & DeVries, T. J. (2020). Behavior, health, and productivity of early-lactation dairy cows supplemented with molasses in automated milking systems. Journal of Dairy Science, 103(11), 10506-10518. doi: 10.3168/jds.2020-18649 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2020-18649
Nalon, E., & Stevenson, P. (2019). Protection of dairy cattle in the EU: State of play and directions for policymaking from a legal and animal advocacy perspective. Animals, 9(12), 1066. doi: 10.3390/ani9121066 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani9121066
National Research Council (2021). Nutrient requirements of dairy cattle (8nd ed.). The National Academies Press.
Reith, S., & Hoy, S. (2012). Relationship between daily rumination time and estrus of dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 95(11), 6416-6420. doi: 10.3168/jds.2012-5316 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2012-5316
Silva, T. H., Takiya, C. S., Vendramini, T. H. A., Jesus, E. F., Zanferari, F., & Rennó, F. P. (2016). Effects of dietary fibrolytic enzymes on chewing time, ruminal fermentation, and performance of mid-lactating dairy cows. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 221(Part A), 35-43. doi: 10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2016.08.013 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2016.08.013
Simões, L. M., Fº., Lopes, M. A., Brito, S. C., Rossi, G., Conti, L., & Barbari, M. (2020). Robotic milking of dairy cows: a review. Semina: Ciências Agrárias, 41(6), 2833-2850. doi: 10.5433/1679-0359.2020v41n6p2833 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5433/1679-0359.2020v41n6p2833
Solano, L., Barkema, H. W., Pajor, E. A., Mason, S., LeBlanc, S. J., Nash, C. G. R., Haley, D. B., Pellerin, D., Rushen, J., Passillé, A. M., Vasseur, E., & Orsel, K. (2016). Associations between lying behavior and lameness in Canadian Holstein-Friesian cows housed in freestall barns. Journal of Dairy Science, 99(3), 2086-2101. doi: 10.3168/jds.2015-10336 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2015-10336
Tucker, C. B., Jensen, M. B., Passillé, A. M., Hänninen, L., & Rushen, J. (2021). Invited review: lying time and the welfare of dairy cows. Journal of Dairy Science, 104(1), 20-46. doi: 10.3168/jds.2019-18074 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2019-18074
Veerkamp, R. F. (1998). Selection for economic efficiency of dairy cattle using information on live weight and feed intake: a review. Journal of Dairy Science, 81(4), 1109-1119. doi: 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(98)75673-5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(98)75673-5
Von Keyserlingk, M. A. G., Rushen, J., Passillé, A. M., & Weary, D. M. (2009). Invited review: the welfare of dairy cattle - key concepts and the role of science. Journal of Dairy Science, 92(9), 4101-4111. doi: 10.3168/jds.2009-2326 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2009-2326
Wagner-Storch, A. M., & Palmer, R. W. (2003). Feeding behavior, milking behavior, and milk yields of cows milked in a parlor versus an automatic milking system. Journal of Dairy Science, 86(4), 1494-1502. doi: 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(03)73735-7 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(03)73735-7
Watt, L. J., Clark, C. E. F., Krebs, G. L., Petzel, C. E., Nielsen, S., & Utsumi, S. A. (2015). Differential rumination, intake, and enteric methane production of dairy cows in a pasture-based automatic milking system. Journal of Dairy Science, 98(10), 7248-7263 doi: 10.3168/jds.2015-9463 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2015-9463
Westin, R., Vaughan, A., Passillé, A. M., DeVries, T. J., Pajor, E. A., Pellerin, D., Siegford, J. M., Vasseur, E., & Rushen, J. (2016). Lying times of lactating cows on dairy farms with automatic milking systems and the relation to lameness, leg lesions, and body condition score. Journal of Dairy Science, 99(1), 551-561. doi: 10.3168/jds.2015-9737 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2015-9737
Winckler, C., Tucker, C. B., & Weary, D. M. (2015). Effects of under- and overstocking freestalls on dairy cattle behaviour. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 170, 14-19. doi: 10.1016/j.applanim.2015.06.003 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2015.06.003
Albright, J. L. (1993). Feeding behavior of dairy cattle 1, 2, 3. Journal of Dairy Science, 76(2), 485-498. doi: 10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(93)77369-5 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.S0022-0302(93)77369-5
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 José Antônio de Freitas, Sha Tao, Veridiana Lourenço Daley, Luiz Manoel Alves Filho, Mateus Silva da Fonseca, Sergio Rodrigo Fernandes
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
Semina: Ciências Agrárias adopts the CC-BY-NC license for its publications, the copyright being held by the author, in cases of republication we recommend that authors indicate first publication in this journal.
This license allows you to copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format, remix, transform and develop the material, as long as it is not for commercial purposes. And due credit must be given to the creator.
The opinions expressed by the authors of the articles are their sole responsibility.
The magazine reserves the right to make normative, orthographic and grammatical changes to the originals in order to maintain the cultured standard of the language and the credibility of the vehicle. However, it will respect the writing style of the authors. Changes, corrections or suggestions of a conceptual nature will be sent to the authors when necessary.
