Dairy Well-being Research:

To address concerns of tail docking, Dr. Eicher has conducted multiple experiments.

The first study addressed acute pain of tail-docking in 24 mo-old dairy cattle, and documented behavioral, physiological, and immunological indicators of stress. She discovered an increase in eating behavior that followed tail-banding and decreased immediately following removal of the necrotic tail. Significant increases in haptoglobin, an acute phase reactant, was seen with the removal of the tail. This represents the primary immuno-physiological indicator that responded to the docking procedure.

The second experiment involved the same group of cows during fly season and demonstrated increased cleanliness of docked cows, but increased fly numbers and fly avoidance behaviors on the rear legs of those cows.


Indicators of acute pain and fly avoidance behaviors in Holstein calves following tail-docking.
Eicher, S.D. and J.W. Dailey, 2002.J. Dairy Sci. 85:2850-2858.

The third experiment was with neonatal calves. Many producers band tails at three to four wk-of-age. Behavior indicators of acute pain were evident in the neonatal calves. Behavior during heat and cold sensitivity testing, sensitivity to pin-pressure testing, and surface temperature of the underside of the tail were used to assess chronic pain. Only one behavior, stomping, was altered by the cold pack. Temperature of the tail remained higher prior to and even more so after the testing. These experiments provide scientific evidence of some benefits and well-being concerns of tail-docking in dairy cattle that may be used by producers to determine benefits of the procedure and perhaps by legislatures.


Beta-glucan from the cell wall of yeast has been used a an immuno-stimulant in fish, humans, and mice. Dr. Eicher and Dr. Johnson suggest that using beta-glucan to stimulate an immune response and ascorbic acid to sustain the response could be beneficial for that purpose. Growth, health, and behavioral data all support that hypothesis, and further research have been proposed. This combination has already been tested for application in poultry through other scientists and it will be tested this fall with neonatal piglets. This project has had several impacts. The first is for feed companies that are wanting to find immunostimulators if antibiotic use is banned. The other is for producers wanting to enhance growth, as best and economically as possible.


Pre-milking has been investigated as an aid to alleviate stress in multiparous cows and heifers with marginal results. In a collaborative effort with Dr. Schutz (dairy extension, Purdue), Dr. Eicher investigated premilking in first calf heifers to relieve stress associated with the first calving and initiation of lactation. Positive results were obtained in milk production, reproductive measures, and were indicated by earlier return to physiological homeostasis. Early return to reproductive health was an economic benefit and there were no detrimental effects of pre-milking noted.

Transportation

A neonatal dairy calf transportation study has recently been completed. Since large dairies such as those moving into Indiana are transporting neonatal calves for various lengths, Dr. Eicher sought to determine the validity of various methods to enhance calf survival. The beneficial effects of subcutaneous electrolytes after transport was determined by behavioral and immunological measures. Very little scientific data is available on the best methods to use in neonatal calf transport. The results reported here will be useful to producers who need to enhance calf survival following transport. Acute phase protein responses, return to full feed, growth and behavior were used to investigate transport and commingling effects on cattle with Dr. John Arthington and Dr. Bill Kunkle ( U. of FL).

Effect of transportation and commingling on the acute phase protein response and growth and feed intake of newly weaned beef calves.
Arthington, J.D., S.D. Eicher, W.E. Kunkle, F. Martin, 2003. J. Anim. Sci. Accepted 1-13-2003.

Modulation of health and production by oral beta-glucan and ascorbic acid after transport (pdf)
S.D. Eicher and T.R. Johnson, USDA-ARS, Purdue University.

Environment and housing

The environmental conditions that animals are placed in bring a myriad of welfare concerns that continue to be studied. Researchers at Purdue have, and continue to be concerned about how animals are kept, in terms of productivity, health and well-being.

Holding times prior to entering the parlor, has increased as dairy herds expand. Dr. Eicher, Dr. Schutz, and Dr. Pajor investigated the behavioral, immunological, and production consequences of this practice.

The effect of holding pen time on milk production and blood components in Holstein dairy cows (pdf)
A.G. Fahey, M.M. Schutz, E.A. Pajor, S.D. Eicher, S.J. Larkin, and K.A. Scott.

Effects of stall surface on occupancy and postural changes in dairy cows (pdf).
D.C. Lay, L.L. Timms, and D. R. Thoreson. Abstract 110.