Biomedical subjects

A M Wagner-Storch

Publications and source records attributed to A M Wagner-Storch.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2003

Feeding behavior, milking behavior, and milk yields of cows milked in a parlor versus an automatic milking system.

This study compared feeding and milking behavior and milk yields for cows housed in the same barn, fed the same ration, but milked with a conventional milking parlor (parlor) or automatic milking system (robot). Behavioral data were videotaped hourly 1 d/mo for 9 mo. Feeding behavior patterns differed and were more variable for parlor cows than for robot cows. Both groups had low feeding rates at night and early morning. Feeding activity increased after milking and feed delivery for parlor cows. Milking and feeding activity in the robot system increased after human intervention at 7 a.m.; feed bunk activity peaked 3 h later and remained relatively constant from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Percentages of cows at the feed bunk were significantly greater for robot cows than parlor cows only at 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. Batch milking of parlor cows with free access to feed, vs. sequential milking of robot cows, with restricted movement to feed by a one-way gate system, resulted in higher peak percentages of cows at the bunk for parlor cows. Lower, more consistent percentages of cows eating at one time suggests that less bunk space may be needed for cows in robotic milking systems. Higher percentages of cows were observed in the robot from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and again from 3 to 7 p.m. Percentages of cows in the robot holding area were greatest from 8 to 11 a.m. and 3 to 6 p.m. and were lowest from midnight to 6 a.m. Milk production over 39 d in summer for subsets of cows was slightly but significantly higher (26.4 vs. 25.8 +/- 0.2 kg/d) for cows in the robot group. Milking frequency, days in milk, parity, and maximum air temperature for 3 d (-2 d to day of observation) affected milk yield comparisons. Results have implications for design of feeding and handling facilities used with automated milking systems.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Factors affecting stall use for different freestall bases.

The objective of this study was to compare stall use (stall occupancy and cow position) by barn side for factors affecting stall use. A closed circuit television system recorded stall use four times per day for a 9-mo period starting May 9, 2001. Six factors were analyzed: stall base, distance to water, stall location within stall base section, stall location within barn, inside barn temperature, and length of time cows were exposed to stall bases. Two barn sides with different stocking densities were analyzed: low (66%), with cows milked by robotic milker; and high (100%), with cows milked 2X in parlor. Six stall base types were tested: two mattresses, a waterbed, a rubber mat, concrete, and sand (high side only). The base types were grouped 3 to 7 stalls/section and randomly placed in each row. Cows spent more time in mattress-based stalls, but the highest percentage lying was in sand-based stalls. The following significant stall occupancy percentages were found: sand had the highest percentage of cows lying on the high stocking density side (69%), followed by mattress type 1 (65%) > mattress type 2 (57%) > waterbed (45%) > rubber mat (33%) > concrete (23%). Mattress type 1 had the highest percentage stalls occupied (88%), followed by mattress type 2 (84%) > sand (79%) > soft rubber mat (65%) > waterbed (62%) > concrete (39%). On the low stocking rate side, mattress type 1 had the highest percentage cows lying (45%) and occupied (59.6%), followed by mattress type 2 > waterbed > soft rubber mat > concrete. Cow lying and stalls occupied percentages were highest for stalls 1) not at the end of a section, and 2) on the outside row, and varied by base type for time cows exposed to stalls and inside barn temperature. Lying and occupied percentages were different for different mattress types. The percentage of stalls with cows standing was higher for mat and mattress-based stalls. Results show mattress type 1 and sand to be superior and rubber mats and concrete inferior stall bases.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Day and night seasonal temperature differences for a naturally ventilated freestall barn with different stocking densities.

Temperature data were collected during three 28-d periods. Cold-season one-side-occupied (CSOO), warm-season two-sides-occupied (WSTO), and cold-season two-sides-occupied (CSTO) were used to determine day and night freestall barn temperature differences between north-side and south-side, east-end and west-end, and inside to outside of a naturally ventilated, curtain sided, noninsulated barn. Five sensors measured temperature every 15 min for 28-d periods beginning November 30, 2000, July 9, 2001, and December 23, 2001. Stocking densities were 90 to 100% for CSOO south-side and 0% for CSOO north-side; 92 to 108% for WSTO south-side and 46 to 74% for WSTO north-side; and 102 to 116% for CSTO south-side and 64 to 86% for CSTO north-side. Mean day temperatures (MDT) and mean night temperatures (MNT) were different for all within barn comparisons. Inside and outside MDT were different for cold-season periods. MDT differences between inside and outside were CSTO (6.27 degrees F) > CSOO (5.64 degrees F) > WSTO (-0.03 degrees F). MNT differences between inside and outside were CSTO (7.14 degrees F) > CSOO (5.76 degrees F) > WSTO (1.32 degrees F). Absence of animals on one side of the barn during cold seasons decreased the average temperature difference between inside and outside approximately 1 degree F (day 0.63 degrees F, night 1.38 degrees F). South-side MDT and MNT were higher than the north-side for CSOO. MDT differences between north-side and south-side were CSOO (-2.71 degrees F) > CSTO (-1.22 degrees F) > WSTO (-0.36 degrees F). MNT differences between north-side and south-side were CSOO (-2.46 degrees F) > CSTO (-1.06 degrees F) > WSTO (-0.49 degrees F). The average temperature difference for the unoccupied side during cold seasons was almost 1.5 degrees F lower throughout the day than the fully stocked side (day 1.49 degrees F, night 1.40 degrees F). Stocking density was thought to be the major cause of differences between north-side and south-side. East-end and west-end mean temperatures were not different across seasons, therefore, future barn-temperature research with barns of similar characteristics may require only one sensor per side.

Animals↗