Dippel Sabine, Dolezal Marlies, Brenninkmeyer Christine, Brinkmann Jan, March Solveig, Knierim Ute, Winckler Christoph
BOKU - University of Natural Resources and Applied Life Sciences Vienna, Department of Sustainable Agricultural Systems, Division of Livestock Sciences, Gregor-Mendel-Strasse 33, Vienna 1180, Austria.
Prev Vet Med. 2009 Jul 1;90(1-2):102-12. doi: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2009.03.014. Epub 2009 May 5.
Austrian dairy farming is characterised by predominant use of Simmental cows on small-scale farms. Our aim was to identify lameness risk factors related to housing and management in cubicle housed Austrian dairy cows. Furthermore, we used animal-based parameters (ABP) as integrated measures of cubicle quality and feeding management. The first author visited 30 farms in eastern Austria with 24-54 cows (mean=35) in the milking herd during winter housing period, and collected data on housing, management, behaviour, and lameness via direct observations and an interview (part of Welfare Quality project). Mean lameness prevalence was 31% (range 6-70%). Data were analysed using logistic regression with generalised estimating equations (GEE). The final model was based on 832 cows and included six risk variables, five ABP, and the significant confounders 'county' and 'lactation number'. Odds for lameness increased with decreasing lying comfort, except for cubicle width. The following lying-related factors were significant in the final model (odds ratios (OR) in brackets): mats/mattresses as opposed to deep bedded cubicle base (1.61), length of lying area (OR 186-191 vs. <178 cm=0.72) and cubicle width (1.18). Lying-related ABP included abnormal lying behaviour (1.36), cow comfort index (0.76), and duration of rising (2.17). Other significant housing and management characteristics included slatted flooring (1.31), herd size (0.63), and no access to an outdoor loafing area (0.57). Regarding metabolic parameters, cows with a body condition score >3.5 had at least 0.39 lower odds of being lame, while cows with suboptimal milk protein content (<3.2% or >3.8%) had 1.37 times higher odds. Odds for lameness clearly increased with age (OR lactation > or =4 vs. 1=3.38). In sum, lying comfort and nutrition are key areas for lameness prevention on modern dairy farms in Austria with herd sizes above 30 cows.
奥地利的奶牛养殖以小规模农场主要使用西门塔尔牛为特点。我们的目标是确定奥地利舍饲奶牛中与牛舍和管理相关的跛足风险因素。此外，我们使用基于动物的参数（ABP）作为牛舍质量和饲养管理的综合指标。第一作者在冬季饲养期访问了奥地利东部的30个农场，这些农场的挤奶牛群中有24至54头奶牛（平均35头），并通过直接观察和访谈（福利质量项目的一部分）收集了有关牛舍、管理、行为和跛足的数据。平均跛足发生率为31%（范围6 - 70%）。使用广义估计方程（GEE）的逻辑回归对数据进行分析。最终模型基于832头奶牛，包括六个风险变量、五个ABP以及显著的混杂因素“县”和“泌乳次数”。除了牛舍宽度外，跛足几率随着躺卧舒适度的降低而增加。以下与躺卧相关的因素在最终模型中具有显著性（括号内为优势比（OR））：与深层铺垫牛舍底部相比的垫子/床垫（1.61）、躺卧区域长度（与<178厘米相比，OR 186 - 191 = 0.72）和牛舍宽度（1.18）。与躺卧相关的ABP包括异常躺卧行为（1.36）、奶牛舒适度指数（0.76）和起身持续时间（2.17）。其他显著的牛舍和管理特征包括板条地板（1.31）、牛群规模（0.63）以及无法进入户外休闲区域（0.57）。关于代谢参数，体况评分>3.5的奶牛跛足几率至少低0.39，而乳蛋白含量不理想（<3.2%或>3.8%）的奶牛跛足几率高1.37倍。跛足几率明显随着年龄增长而增加（泌乳≥4次与第1次相比，OR = 3.38）。总之，对于奥地利存栏量超过30头奶牛的现代奶牛场，躺卧舒适度和营养是预防跛足的关键领域。
