Stress reduction for dairy cows
Project Leader: Dr. Ivemeyer, Silvia; Prof. Dr. Knierim, Ute
Project description:
Healthy cows are an important prerequisite for successful organic dairy farming, and stress is an important factor that can affect the health, especially the udder health, of dairy cows. Only a cow that is relaxed and calm in the milking parlor and feels comfortable there can give her milk completely and remain healthy in the long term. If the cow is afraid and restless in the milking parlor, this also makes the milking process more difficult for the farmer. As a result of constantly growing herd sizes and increasing economic pressure on dairy farms, contact between humans and animals is often becoming less close. In the milking parlor, first-calving cows in particular become very restless. This is not pleasant for either cow or farmer. The project aims to develop and test a handling method that reduces stress in the milking parlor The animal-related handling is based on the "TTouch" method according to Tellington. The project will be carried out in cooperation with 2-4 practical farms. The behavior (e.g. tripping, lashing out) of the cow concerned during milking and the milk yields are recorded before and after handling and compared with control animals. In addition, the development of udder health is monitored for at least 3 months. The results of the pilot project and the method developed will be published in the agricultural trade press. They are intended to support farmers in their goal of creating a positive milking atmosphere and optimizing the udder health of their dairy herds.
Sponsored by: Naturkost Elkershausen GmbH and Naturkost Erfurt GmbH
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