The feed push-up as a factor influencing health of dairy cows

Abstract

The effect of feed push-up has already been proven in several studies, so this topic can be considered one of the main points that helps improve the health status of dairy cattle. This study aimed to determine how the frequency of feed push-ups influences the health status of udder (mastitis), somatic cell counts, and reproduction. The effect of feed push-up on mastitis, the somatic cell counts, and the conception of dairy cows was evaluated. The feed was pushed-up at a frequency of 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, and 6x a day for one calendar month. The effect on the number of dairy cows treated with mastitis was insignificant (P ≥ 0.05). The lowest number of cows with mastitis was found when feed was pushed-up five times daily. The effect on the somatic cell counts was insignificantly, too (P ≥ 0.05). The worst milk quality was found in the experimental group, which had a frequency of push-up 5x/day. However, it has been shown that the frequency of food push-up positively affected the conception rate in dairy cows (P < 0.001).

Keywords

• cattle
• feed intake
• mastitis
• somatic cell counts
• reproduction
• animal behavior