Association Between Standing and Lying Behavior and Udder Health in Free-stall Housed, Lactating Dairy Cows

Abstract

This thesis investigates the relationship between cow lying behavior and udder health in free-stall housed dairy cows milked 3x/d. Two longitudinal studies were undertaken; in the first, associations with risk of elevated somatic cell count (eSCC) were determined and, in the second, associations between management practices, post-milking standing duration (PMSD), and risk of intramammary infection (IMI) were determined. A PMSD of >90 min was associated with reduced odds of eSCC. A PMSD of 90 to 120 min was associated with reduced odds of CNS IMI, as was provision of feed around time of milking. Providing ample feed bunk space, having lower free-stall stocking densities, and providing feed around the time of milking promoted PMSD. Overall, these results suggest that management practices which promote PMSD may help to improve udder health in free-stall cows milked 3x/d.