Temperament during Milking Process and its Effect on Behavioral, Productive Traits and Biochemical Parameters in Friesian Dairy Cows

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of temperament on maintenance activities, productive performance and biochemical parameters (cortisol and prolactin) in Friesian dairy cows. These investigations were carried out on one hundred Friesian dairy cows (3 to 6 years old), which were milked with machine with a rate of three times a day and eight hours interval. The cows were classified according to their temperament during milking into calm, nervous (restless) and aggressive. Observation was carried out 3 hours per week (6 minute interval for each cow through one hour observation for each group), by using a focal sample technique. The obtained results revealed that there were a non significant differences between different types of temperament of dairy cow on ingestive behavior although the eating, ruminating times were increased with calm temperament. Resting and sleeping were increased with calm temperament and the differences were highly significant. Interestingly, grooming increased in calm animals. The daily milk, day in milk and total milk production was increased with calm temperament and decreased with nervous and aggressive temperament and the differences were highly significant. The level of cortisol was significantly increased in aggressive cows than calm and nervous cows. The prolactin level was significantly increased with nervous temperament. Conclusion: Temperament of animals especially during milking process is considered vital managemental factor must be kept in order to maintain the productive efficiency, alternatively the whole income.