Effects of milking temperament of dairy cows on production and reproduction efficiency under tied stall housing

In recent years, schemes developed to assess cattle welfare on-farm have shifted their weight from resource-based measures, such as feed and water availability and housing facilities, to animal-based measures such as expression of behavior, positive emotional state of the animals and human-animal relationships. The overall objective of this study was to evaluate the effects that milking temperament has on production and reproduction efficiency and on welfare of dairy cows housed in tied stanchion barns. Milking temperament of 94 Romanian Black Spotted lactating cows was evaluated by two independent observers, using a 5-point subjective scale. The behavioral reactivity of cows during milking significantly influenced (P ≤ 0.05) milk yield, with the calmer cows having a higher milk production than their nervous counterparts. The relation between body condition score of cows and milking temperament was significant (P ≤ 0.05), with calmer cows having higher fat deposits and maintaining better condition, compared to nervous animals. However, no significant influence (P > 0.05) of the temperament was found on milking speed, body weight, fertility related traits, coat cleanliness and integuments alterations. Current results showed that it is feasible to include milking temperament as a trait in selection indexes, considering the economic implications of the trait, with calmer cows having significantly higher milk yields, while maintaining a better body condition score throughout lactation in tied stanchion barn systems. Apart of the obvious milk production gains, fluctuations to a lesser extent of body fat reserves in dairy cows during the production cycle, might lead to lower risks of developing metabolic diseases.