Scribd
Upload
32 views

Cow Signals

This document discusses cow signals and observing cows to interpret their health and welfare. It emphasizes that farmers should observe cows and the farm environment closely and relate observations over time. Farmers are encouraged to pay attention to everything, including individual cows and groups, body condition, manure, facilities, and locomotion. The document uses pictures to illustrate observations and conditions that may indicate issues. It concludes that cows provide honest signals through behavior and appearance, and that continuous observation over time is important for interpretation, as single snapshots are not useful. Farmers should look up anything they don't understand and focus on changes rather than assuming perfection.

Uploaded by

Constantin
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
32 views

Cow Signals

This document discusses cow signals and observing cows to interpret their health and welfare. It emphasizes that farmers should observe cows and the farm environment closely and relate observations over time. Farmers are encouraged to pay attention to everything, including individual cows and groups, body condition, manure, facilities, and locomotion. The document uses pictures to illustrate observations and conditions that may indicate issues. It concludes that cows provide honest signals through behavior and appearance, and that continuous observation over time is important for interpretation, as single snapshots are not useful. Farmers should look up anything they don't understand and focus on changes rather than assuming perfection.

Uploaded by

Constantin
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 25

Cow Signals

Hifeed Distributors’ Days 2015


Frans van Bohemen

Verona, November 2015


Introduction

2
Cow Signals

3
Cow Signals
Cows never lie!
• Observe…
• Look again…
• Relate your observations…
• Interpret them…
• Don’t know? No problem! Look it up!

You have to observe everything, you don’t need to know


everything!

4
Observe…
What to pay attention to? Everything!
• The animals
• The building
• Feed
• Water
• Manure
• Air circulation
• Light
• …

5
Observe…
1. Look at the individual cow:
• Physical state
• Individual behavior
2. Look at a group of cows:
• Physical state
• Group behaviour
• Do you see similarities?
3. Look at the building:
• Cubicles
• Feed, water
• Hygiene
• Ventilation… etc. etc.

6
Body Condition Scoring
• Don’t just look… feel
• A single observation has no function. Relate to time!
• Check:
• Lactation phase
• If possible, make multiple observations: what
changes?
• If not, ask: how does BCS change over time?
• Dry: how did BCS change during the dry period?
• Age of cow
• Production level

7
Manure scoring

8
Manure Scoring
• What group of animals?
• What stage of lactation?
• How many animals with what manure score?
• How dirty are the animals?
• Etc…

9
Picture Puzzle (1)

10
What do you see?

11
Picture Puzzle (2)

12
Locomotion scoring

13
Picture puzzle (3)

14
Picture puzzle (3)

15
Picture puzzle (4)

16
Picture puzzle (4)

17
Picture Puzzle (5)

18
Picture Puzzle (6)

19
Picture Puzzle (7)

20
Picture Puzzle (8)

21
Picture Puzzle (9)

22
Picture Puzzle (10)

23
Conclusions

• Look at the cows, they never lie!


• Observe everything, look up what you don’t know;
• Relate your observations;
• A single observation in time is of no use. Focus on the
changes that happen over time;
• Not one farm is perfect, there will always be room to
improve!

24
Thank you
Any questions?

25

You might also like