Effects of cow comfort on milk production and mastitis

A study conducted by Cornell University in the state of New York, USA, shows that second-time lactating
cows had a significant increase in daily milk production and a reduction in mastitis when the cowhide
was installed. In total, 200 cows of the first abdomen and 200 cows of the second abdomen and above
were used. The cows of the first abdomen were divided into two groups of 100, the first group was
without brush and the second group was with brush. Also, the cows from the second abdomen up were
divided into two groups of 100, the first group was without brush and the second group was with brush.
Daily milk production data were recorded and analyzed for three months before the date of starting to
work with the brush and six months after using it. The results showed that cows in the second stomach
were more affected by the cow brush and showed a higher daily milk production increase of 1 kg. Also,
clinical mastitis was investigated among the studied groups and the results showed that the clinical
mastitis rate decreased by 34% in cows with second and higher abdomens.
Introduction
Dairy cows need a lot of grooming. Cow grooming provides an opportunity to clean dairy cows. Research
in this field has shown that cows in a group with a mechanical brush increased their cleaning time
almost 5 times compared to cows in a group without a brush. The authors concluded that a grooming
device helps satisfy the cow’s need for grooming while improving cow grooming. Both factors of better
welfare and cleaner cows have an effect on disease incidence and milk production. Also, the cleanliness
of the cow is related to the incidence of mastitis, and increasing the activity of the cow may lead to the
reduction of metabolic diseases, better digestion and ultimately more milk production. Cows that are
more active and walk more spend less time in the place and are therefore less exposed to bacteria on
the place surface. Also, the grooming behavior of cows may result in cleaner skin in animals with access
to cow brush.
Total resulting
In short, the installation of a cow shed leads to an immediate increase in the cleaning behavior of cows,
an increase in daily milk production in cows from the second abdomen up, and also a decrease in the
incidence of mastitis.