NC_old1029: Applied Animal Behavior and Welfare

(Multistate Research Project)

Status: Inactive/Terminating

Project Menu

SAES-422 Reports

Annual/Termination Reports:

[01/12/2017] [12/18/2017] [01/14/2019] [10/01/2019] [11/16/2020]

Date of Annual Report: 01/12/2017

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 11/10/2016 - 11/11/2016
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2015 - 09/30/2016

Participants

In-person participants: Katy Proudfoot, Monique Pairis-Garcia, Brianna Gaskill, Amber Adams-Progar, Lindsey Hulbert, Andres Cibils, Tina Horback, Richard Blatchford, Kathy Holcomb, Rachel Dennis, Janice Siegford, Marcia Endres, Ernie Minton

Electronic participants: Cassandra Tucker, Carissa Wickens, Maja Makagon, Courtney Daigle

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes Attachment:

NC1029 Annual report 170109.pdf

Accomplishments

Washington State University conducted two studies related to the impact of environmental conditions on dairy calf health, behavior, and growth. The first study focused on heat stress in Holstein calves; whereas, the second study focused on cold stress in Jersey calves. Each study measured calf body temperatures using a non-invasive method, environmental conditions using data loggers, and behavior using video cameras. Calf weights were also recorded and average daily gains were calculated. Both studies documented the direct relationship between environmental conditions and calf body temperatures. Additionally, behavioral cues of illness were identified in calves to help dairy producers detect calf illnesses earlier and provide timely care. New Mexico State University identified previously unknown relationships connecting the rangeland grazing environment with movement patterns of nursing beef cows and weaning wrights of their calves. Global positioning system data were collected over 4 years by recording 5-min interval locations of 52 crossbred cows grazing a 146-ha woodland/grassland pasture for approximately 20 days. Weights of weaned calves (n = 42) were also recorded. Forage allowance (adequate vs. high) influenced day vs. night movement patterns, habitat use, and movement path sinuosity. Weather factors associated with thermal comfort affected daily variation in both daytime and nighttime movement patterns of cows. A dam’s movement pattern in the weeks immediately following calving were correlated with steer but not heifer calf weaning weights. Moderate stocking rates (adequate forage allowance) induced behaviors that resulted in more uniform rangeland use and heavier steer calf weaning weights. NMSU also studied relationships between cow temperament and lifelong reproductive output. Cows classified into behavioral type groups on the basis of a suite of correlated behaviors showed contrasting rangeland use patterns and different reproductive efficiency. These differences resulted in temperament-related culling rates over a 6 year period. This study explores the question of whether beef cows with behavioral types best suited to rangeland environments are able to produce calves that will adapt well to feedlot environments. NMSU and local collaborators tested the feasibility of using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) video monitoring to predict intake of discrete food items of rangeland-raised non-nursing beef cows. Thirty-five cows were included in this study. Video footage of arena tests was acquired with a three dimensional Robotics Y6 Multi-copter fitted with a two-axis brushless gimbal and a GoPro Hero 3 Silver Digital Camera. Video files were processed to extract a total of 4,893 two-second-interval still images that were viewed to determine cow feeding activity. Cows that were naïve to the sound of the UAV fed as frequently as their adapted counterparts during 12-min pilot tests. Significant positive correlations between video-derived feeding frequency estimates and amount of food consumed were observed. Our results suggest that UAV video monitoring could be a useful tool to monitor feeding behavior of rangeland cows. Over the last year, researchers at OSU have created a euthanasia training program for swine producers for hand-held devices. Identify quantitative and qualitative decision criteria for on-farm euthanasia of pigs. This application is a ‘proof-of-concept’ application to deliver educational material on timely decisions for euthanasia of pigs to employees. Based on our successes thus far with the application, we plan to apply the idea to other species and topics.   Through a collaborative effort between academia and industry (The Ohio State University, Iowa State University and Kraft Foods/Oscar Mayer), we have collected data for a project assessing the feeding patterns and behaviors of a sow herd transitioning from individually housed stalls to group housing utilizing the Gestal® as the sole feeding system. This project will quantify feeding patterns and frequencies of group housed sows and determine how experience and time using the Gestal® feeder alters sow feeding behavior.   Over the last year, researchers at OSU have finished collecting data on a project assessing veal calf welfare. The project aimed to assess the prevalence of injuries and clinical health problems when young calves first arrive to the veal farm. Research in this area can help reduce the risk of disease and improve welfare of young calves in the veal industry. UC Davis VMTRC has studied strategies to treat moderately lame cows. The effects of therapeutic trimming of moderate lameness on milk yield and lameness progression were evaluated on 148 cows vs. 150 control cows housed on 2 dairies (herd A: 2,374 cows; herd B: 2,800 cows). Treatment had no effect on milk yield in herd A but tended to decrease milk yield in herd B. Lameness progression was not affected by treatment. But, 2 wk after intervention, treated cows on herd A tended to have a higher predicted lameness probability than control cows. Therapeutic trimming had very limited benefits on moderately lame cows, possibly because over half of the treated cows had either no lesion or thin soles. This research work was supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture, project 1002607 and Nutrius LLC (Kingsburg, CA). The quick identification of animals at risk of becoming sick before their health disorder becomes more severe or they die could help improve animal welfare in dairy farms. When animals are housed in groups (the trend in the industry), it is more difficult to monitor individual animals. At the University of Minnesota we are investigating how certain behaviors such as feeding or rumination time in adult cows, or visits to the feeder and drinking speed for calves, could potentially help identify these animals at risk. We found some promising results for transition cows and calves. Some of these results were published in 2016 and some data analysis is ongoing. We are also validating an ear tag technology that monitors feeding, resting, rumination and activity behavior of cows in a grazing system. A technical note article will be submitted soon. Research at the University of Florida in the past year in the area of dairy calf behavior and welfare has produced results describing the impact of nutritional enrichments for individually housed calves on feeding behavior and cognition. Collaborative projects have identified impacts of heat stress on feed sorting behavior of cattle and on behavior and welfare of calves born to heat-stressed cows.   Equine extension and research activities during the past year have been focused in three main areas. University of Florida has delivered three Livestock Education and Certification for Agricultural Law Enforcement (LECALE) training programs (March, December, 2015 and March 2016) to provide Ag law enforcement personnel knowledge and skills necessary for assessing the welfare of livestock, with a primary focus on cattle and horses. Results of a recent post-course evaluation determined the LECALE curriculum has improved attendees’ abilities to respond to cases of animal neglect and has provided skills and resources necessary for discerning and communicating animal welfare concerns. University of Florida has established a temperament assessment protocol suitable for quantifying phenotypes of startle in response to a novel moving object in young horses. Future research will combine these phenotypes with genome-wide marker panels for discovery of loci contributing to startle behavior in the horse. Finally, in the past year, research on aversion of horses to different ammonia concentrations has demonstrated the impact of higher concentration of ammonia on the behavior and physiology of horses.   Texas A&M University evaluated two different exercise regimes for efficacy and identified an impact of breed on responsivity to handling and exercise programs for cattle. Areas of research interest include the impact of exercise and the human-animal interaction on cattle behavior, productivity, and immune functioning at the research and commercial level. Additional research has been investigating the efficacy of facial expression technology to identify sick or stressed cattle. Texas A&M University evaluated several feed additives for their efficacy in reducing stress in poultry. Additional research has been conducted investigating the use of light to improve welfare and stress of poultry. Research evaluating different lighting technologies and programs to reduce stress in poultry are also being conducted. Finally, research looking for means to evaluate stress in poultry via less invasive means are ongoing. Michigan State University completed publication of data from a commercial scale project involving housing of laying hens in aviary systems (together with colleagues from UC Davis who focused on enriched colony cages). The project examined the sustainability of alternative housing systems with respect to hen health and behavior in an economic and environmental context with reference to food safety and worker health. J. Siegford and postdoc A. Ali have begun publishing findings from a comparison of laying hen strains in aviary housing and are completing work with former postdoc D. Campbell on impact of litter substrate on hen behavior in aviaries. This body of work related to how hens actually behave in aviaries and use resources that are considered to be important will help ensure that alternative housing systems for laying hens, such as aviaries, are designed in a way that actually improves hen welfare to meet public expectations. Michigan State University (J. Siegford) is leading a research team examining the relationship of social behavior phenotypes to underlying genotypes in pigs with the goal of expanding swine breeding selection programs to include behavior. By selecting for desirable behaviors and against damaging aggression, pigs can be bred that are better suited for group-living in commercial production conditions. This work was jointly funded by grants from USDA NIFA Food Security, National Pork Board, and MSU’s Rackham Foundation and involves a team of colleagues at MSU (Extension, Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science) and Scotland’s Rural College. Michigan State University (C. Heleski) work on assessing the welfare of horses and donkeys and developing codes of practice continues to lead to improved methods of assessing welfare of these animals, particularly in areas where they are used as working animals. C. Heleski is currently serving a 2-year term as Honorary President of the International Society for Equitation Science. This group continues to be at the forefront of providing a platform for horse behavior, horse welfare, and horse-human interaction research. She has recently moved to University of Kentucky and will continue teaching and research related to behavior and welfare there. At Michigan State University, J. Swanson serves as taskforce chair for the annual scientific review and revision of the Michigan Generally Accepted Management and Agricultural Practices for the Care of Farm Animals under the Michigan Right to Farm Act (since 2007). The University of California, Davis, conducted work examining wound healing after disbudding with a hot iron in dairy calves. The results provide initial evidence that these wounds take up to 10 weeks to heal and represent a considerable injury during this time. UC Davis identified appropriate sampling methodology for two contexts: measuring behavior of dairy cattle in freestall barns and assessing heat load on commercial dairy farms. This work makes recommendations about how often researchers need to record the behavior or physiological responses of animals and thus informs robust animal welfare assessment.

Publications

Published Written Works Journal articles Ali ABA, Campbell DLM, Karcher DM, Siegford JM. 2016. Influence of geneticstrain and access to litter on spatial distribution of 4 strains of laying hens in an aviary system. Poultry Science, 95:2489-2502. Ali ABA, El Sayed MA, Matoock MY, Fouad MA, Heleski CR. 2016. A welfare assessment scoring system for working equids - a method for identifying at risk populations and for monitoring progress of welfare enhancement strategies (trialed in Egypt). Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 176:52-62. Archer, G.S. 2016. Spectrum of White Light During Incubation: Warm vs Cool White LED Lighting. Int. J. Poult. Sci. 15(9): 343-348 Archer, G.S. 2016. Comparison of raising broiler chickens under LED or Incandescent light at differing intensities on growth, stress, and fear. Int. J. Poult. Sci. 15(11): 425-431. Archer, G.S. and J.A. Mench. 2016. Exposing avian embryos to light affects post-hatch anti-predator fear responses. Applied Animal Behavior Science. <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2016.10.014">http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2016.10.014</a> Campbell DLM, Karcher DM, Siegford JM. 2016. Location tracking of individual laying hens housed in aviaries with different litter substrates. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 184:74-79. Campbell DLM, Makagon MM, Swanson JC, Siegford JM. 2016. Perch use by laying hens in a commercial aviary. Poultry Science, 95:1736-1742. Campbell, DLM, Goodwin SL, Makagon MM, Swanson JC, Siegford JM. 2016. Failed landings after laying hen flight in a commercial aviary over two flock cycles. Poultry Science, 95:188-197. Campbell DLM, Makagon MM, Swanson JC, Siegford JM. 2016. Laying hen movement in a commercial aviary: enclosure to floor and back again. Poultry Science, 95:176-187. Campbell DLM, Makagon MM, Swanson JC, Siegford JM. 2016. Litter use by laying hens in a commercial aviary: Dust-bathing and piling. Poultry Science, 95:164-175. Campler M.R., Pairis-Garcia M.D., Stalder K.J.,and A.K. Johnson. 2016. Rubber mat placement in a farrowing and lactation facility: Tips and techniques. J Swine Health Prod 24(3):142–146. Chebel, R.C., P.R.B. Silva, M.I. Endres, M.A. Ballou, and K.L. Luchterhand. 2016. Social stressors and their effects on immunity and health of periparturient dairy cows. J. Dairy Sci. 99:3217-3228. Chen, JM, Schütz, KE, Tucker, CB. 2016. Comparison of instantaneous sampling and continuous observation of dairy cattle behavior in freestall housing. J Dairy Sci, 99: 8341–8346. Daigle, Courtney Lynd. "In Search of the Urban Cowboy: The Need to Incorporate Animal Husbandry into the United States Higher Education Curriculum and Its Implications for Production Animal Welfare." Frontiers in Veterinary Science 3 (2016). Fanatico, A.C., J.A. Mench, G.S. Archer, Y. Liang, V.B. Brewer, C.M. Owens, and A.M.Donohue. 2016. Effect of simulated agroforestry structures on performance and range use of organic meat chickens. Poult. Sci. 95(9): 1980-1988. García-Muñoz A, G. Vidal, N. Singh, N. Silva-del-Río. 2016. <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27237388">Evaluation of two methodologies for lameness detection in dairy cows based on postural and gait abnormalities observed during milking and while restrained at headlock stanchions.</a> Prev Vet Med. 28:33-40. PMID: 27237388 Goodman, L.E., A.F. Cibils, R.L. Wesley, J.T.Muliniks, M.K. Petersen, E.J. Scholljegerdes, S.H. Cox. 2016. Temperament affects rangeland use patterns and reproductive performance of beef cows. Rangelands 38: 292-296. Horvath, K., M. Fernandez, E. K. Miller-Cushon. The effect of feeding enrichment in the milk-feeding stage on the cognition of dairy calves in a T-maze. Applied Animal Behavior Science. In press. Laporta, J., T. F. Fabris, A. L. Skibiel, J. L. Powell, M. J. Hayen, K. Horvath, E. K. Miller-Cushon, and G. E. Dahl. In-utero exposure to heat stress during late-gestation has prolonged effects on activity patterns and growth of dairy calves. Journal of Dairy Science. In press. Luchterhand, K.M., P.R.B. Silva, R.C. Chebel and M.I. Endres. 2016. Association between prepartum feeding behavior and periparturient health disorders in dairy cows. Front. Vet. Sci. 3:65. Mench, JA, Swanson JC, Arnot C. 2016. The Coalition for Sustainable Egg Supply: A unique public-private partnership for conducting research on the sustainability of animal housing systems using a multi-stakeholder approach. Journal of Animal Science. DOI: 10.2527/jas.2015-9680. Miller-Cushon, E. K., and T. J. DeVries. Review: Feed sorting in dairy cattle: Causes, consequences, and management. Journal of Dairy Science. In press. Miller-Cushon, E. K., and T. J. DeVries. 2016. Effect of social housing on the development of feeding behavior and social feeding preferences of dairy calves. Journal of Dairy Science. 99:1406-1417. Nyamurekung’e, S. A.F.Cibils, R.E. Estell, A.L. Gonzalez. 2016. Use of an unmanned aerial vehicle-mounted video camera to assess feeding behavior of Raramuri Criollo cows. Rangeland Ecology and Management 69:386-389. Orman, A. and M.I. Endres. 2016. Use of thermal imaging for identification of foot lesions in dairy cattle. Acta Agric. Scandin. DOI:10.1080/09064702.2016.1179785. Sawalhah, M.N., A.F. Cibils, H. Cao, D.M. VanLeeuwen, J.L. Holechek, C.M. Black-Rubio, R.L. Wesley, R.L. Endecott, T.J. Mulliniks, and M.K. Petersen. 2016. Forage and weather influence day- vs. nighttime cow behavior and calf weaning weights on rangeland. Rangeland Ecology and Management 69: 134-143. Siegford JM, Berezowski J, Biswas SK, Daigle CL, Gebhardt-Henrich SG, Hernandez CE, Thurner S, and Toscano MJ. 2016. Assessing Activity and Location of Individual laying hens in Large Groups Using Modern Technology. Animals 6. doi:10.3390/ Siegford J, Berezowski J, Biswas SK, Daigle C, Gebhardt-Henrich S, Thurner S, Hernandez CE, Toscano MJ. 2016. Review: Assessing activity and location of individual laying hens in large groups using modern technology. Animals 6/10 (20 pp). DOI: 10.3390/ani6020010. Silva, P.R.B., K.M. Lobeck-Luchterhand, R.L.A Cerri, D.M. Haines, M.A. Ballou, M.I. Endres, and R.C. Chebel. 2016. Effects of prepartum stocking density on innate and adaptive leukocyte responses and serum and hair cortisol concentrations. Vet. Immun. Immunopath. 169:39-46. Simon, GE, Hoar, BR, Tucker, CB. 2016. Assessing cow-calf welfare. Part 1: Benchmarking beef cow health and behavior, handling; and management facilities, and producer perspectives. J Anim Sci, 94: 3476-3487. Simon, GE, Hoar, BR, Tucker, CB. 2016. Assessing cow-calf welfare. Part 2: Risk factors for beef cow health and behavior and stockperson handling. J Anim Sci, 94: 3488-3500. Sjostrom, L.S, B.J. Heins, M.I. Endres, R.D. Moon and J.C. Paulson. 2016. Relationship of activity and rumination to abundance of pest flies among organically certified cows fed 3 levels of concentrate. J. Dairy Sci. 99:9942-9948. Tresoldi, G Schütz, KE Tucker, CB. 2016. Assessing heat load in drylot dairy cattle: Refining on-farm sampling methodology. J Dairy Sci, 99: 8970–8980. Whalin, L., Pairis-Garcia, M., Proudfoot, K., Stalder, K., and A. Johnson. 2016. Validating behavioral sampling techniques for lame sows administered flunixin meglumine and meloxicam. Livestock Science. 191: 103-107. Book chapters Daigle CL. 2017. “Controlling cannibalism and feather pecking in egg laying flocks” in “Egg production: Innovations and strategies for improvement” Ed. P. Scotti Hester. Elsevier Publishing. Outreach Adams Progar, A. 2016. Amber’s top ten tips: understanding dairy FARM evaluations. WSU Dairy Newsletter, June 2016. Adams Progar, A. 2015. Amber’s top ten tips: understanding group housing in calves. WSU Dairy Newsletter, December 2015. Adams Progar, A. 2016. Heat stress success: managing heifer growth. Pacific Northwest Animal Nutrition Conference, Boise, ID, January 2016. Adams Progar, A. 2016. Understanding cow behavior and its effect on reproduction. Producer’s College, Lynden, WA, January 2016. Archer, G.S. Manejo de la luz antes del procesamiento. (2016) Programa Tentativo del XII Simposium de Procesamiento e Inocuidad de Productos Avícolas. Queretaro, Mexico. Archer, G.S. Lighting prorams for welfare and production in layers and broilers. (2016)           1st Simposium de Bienestrar Animal, Produccion Organica y Libre de Antibiotics. Queretaro, Mexico. Archer, G.S. (2016). Lighting for Incubation and Hatch: Increasing Production. Symposium on Lighting in Poultry Facilities. 2016 Poultry Science Association Annual             Meeting, New Orleans, La. Callanan, J., H. A. Young, and A. L. Adams Progar. 2016. Relationship between cow lying behavior and free-stall barn design. WSU Showcase for Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities, Pullman, WA, March 2016. Chen JM, Mintline EM, DeVries TJ, Tucker CB. 2016. Feeding motivation in feedlot cattle. 100th Annual Convention of the California Cattlemen's Association & California Cattlewomen, Inc., Reno, NV. Endres, M.I. 2016. Is automated calf feeding right for your farm? WCDS Advances in DairyTechnology (2016) Volume 28: 233-241. Endres, M. and B. James. 2016. Facility systems for the young dairy calf: Implications for animal welfare and labor management. Pg 62 in ADSA Large Dairy Herd Manag. Conf. Proc. Oak Brook, IL. Available from <a href="http://www.adsa.org/meetings/largedairyherdmanagement.aspx">www.adsa.org/meetings/largedairyherdmanagement.aspx</a> García-Munoz A, S. Navdeep, and N. Silva-del-Río. 2016. Impact of early detection and treatment of moderate lameness on disease progression and cow performance. In: Proceedings of the 49th Annual Convention of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, Charlote, NC. Miller-Cushon, E. K. 2016. Assessing Cattle Welfare. Cattle Health and Well-being In-service Training Session. University of Florida. February 24, 2016. Miller-Cushon, E. K. 2016. Consequences of feeding and housing practices for animal welfare and performance. Dairy Cattle Welfare Symposium. Columbus, Ohio. May 20, 2016. Miller-Cushon, E. K. 2016. Animal Behavior and Welfare. US Agricultural Information Network Conference. Gainesville, Florida. April 26, 2016. Pineda M, A. Ibrahim, A. Lago, and N. Silva-del-Río. 2016. Hoof trimmer performance on California dairies based on hoof measurements before and after therapeutic trimming. In: Proceedings of the 49th Annual Convention of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, Charlote, NC. Proudfoot, K, Huzzey, J, Presenter. "Behavior of transition cows and relationship with health." Presented at Large Dairy Herd Management (May 2016) Proudfoot, K, Presenter. "Cow comfort during transition." Presented at Penn State Nutrition Workshop (Feb 2016) Proudfoot, K, Presenter. "Cow comfort during the transition period." Presented at Cargill Technical Exchange (Jan 2016) Proudfoot, K, Presenter. "Maternity pen design and management from the cows’ perspective." Presented at Leading Producer Conference (Jan 2016) Shearer, J., M.F. Hutjens and M. Endres. 2016. Managing the herd to minimize lameness. Pg 104 in ADSA Large Dairy Herd Manag. Conf. Proc. Oak Brook, IL. Available from <a href="http://www.adsa.org/meetings/largedairyherdmanagement.aspx">www.adsa.org/meetings/largedairyherdmanagement.aspx</a> Siegford J, Bates, R, D’Eath R, Gemus-Benjamin M, Ison S, Jensen L, Raney N, Roehe R, Steibel J, Turner S, Wurtz K. 2016. Relating behavioral phenotypes to genotypes to improve genetic selection in pigs. 2016 National Swine Improvement Federation Annual Conference and Symposium, Raleigh, NC. Trearchis, D., Pempek, J., Masterson, M., Habing, G., and K. Proudfoot. 2016. Prevalence of failure of passive transfer, dehydration, and health outcomes in veal calves on the day of arrival to the farm. Merial Veterinary Scholars Program 2016 Symposium. Duluth: Merial. (poster presentation) Tucker, CB. 2016. Cattle behavior: insights from the animals to improve their welfare. Invited talk at 4-H Animal Science State Symposium in Davis, CA. Tucker, CB. 2016. From lab to life: taking research findings into the world. Invited talk at 9th Boehringer Ingelheim Expert Forum on Farm Animal Well-Being Conference, Montreal, Canada. Tucker, CB. 2016. Animal welfare assessment:the US perspective. Invited talk at the NOVA seminar, Fork to Farm in Helsinki, Finland. Tucker, CB. 2016. Effective cow cooling: how do we know when we’ve got it right? Invited talk to Northern San Joaquin Veterinary Medical Association, Hilmar, CA. Tucker, CB. 2016. Research updates in dairy welfare assessment. Invited talk at National Milk Producers Federation FARM Evaluators' Conference in Nashville, TN. Wickens, C. 2016. Normal Behavior of Horses. Rutgers Equine Management Seminar. New Brunswick, New Jersey. February 14, 2016. Wickens, C. 2016. Stereoptypic Behavior in Horses. Rutgers Equine Management Seminar. New Brunswick, New Jersey. February 14, 2016. Wickens, C. 2016. Assessing Equine Welfare. Equine Health and Well-being In-service Training Session. University of Florida. January 11, 2016. Young, H. A. and A. L. Adams Progar. 2016. Behavioral and physiological responses to hot weather conditions in Holstein calves. WSU Showcase for Undergraduate Research & Creative Activities, Pullman, WA, March 2016. Scientific presentations Ali AB, K Gutwein, C Heleski. 2016. Exploring the relationship between heart rate variability and behaviour – Social isolation in horses. 12th International Equitation Science Conference, Saumur, France. Alvarado,C.Z., J. Fang, G. Casco, J. A. Byrd, P. T. Price, G. Archer, D. P. Smith and H.O. Pavlidis. (2016). Effect of feeding Original XPC on Salmonella enumeration and prevalence in ceca, breast and ground breast meat in heat stress and non-heat stressed broilers. 2016 Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting, New Orleans, La. Archer, G.S. (2016). The effect of raising broilers under 3000K or 5000K LED light on production, stress, and behavior. 2016 Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting, New Orleans, La. Archer, G.S. and J. Delabbio. (2016). Using White with Red LED Lighting to improve hatchability and chick quality in broilers and layers . 2016 Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting, New Orleans, La. Byrd, J.A. and G.S. Archer. (2016). The effect of different spectrums of LED light on hen production and welfare from 18-30 weeks of age. 2016 Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting, New Orleans, La. Byrd, J.A. and G.S. Archer. (2016). The effect of different spectrums of LED light on Salmonella shedding in 30 weeks of age Laying hens. 2016 Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting, New Orleans, La. Campler, M.R. and M.D. Pairis-Garcia. 2016. The effect of rubber mats on lying and feeding behavior of lame and non-lame sows housed in farrowing stalls. Edinburgh: International Society for Applied Ethology, page 251 (poster presentation) Chen JM, Schütz KE, Tucker CB. 2016. Heat load affects measures of aversion in dairy cows. 50th International Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology, Edinburgh, Scotland. Dayton, A., A. P. A. Monteiro, X. Weng, S. Tao, and E. K. Miller-Cushon. 2016. Effects of acute and chronic heat stress on feed sorting behavior of lactating dairy cows. Journal of Diary Science E. Suppl. 94:36. Daigle CL, Hester PY, Lay DC, Cheng HW. 2016. Could the ultraviolet reflectivity of feathers phenotypically identify hens targeted for feather pecking? Poster Presentation. 50th International Society of Applied Ethology. July 12-16, 2016, Edinburgh, Scotland. Daigle CL, Baber J, Wickersham TA, Sawyer JE. 2016. Impact of diet on the behavior of limit-fed beef cows in drylots. Poster Presentation. 2016 Joint Annual Meeting of the American Society of Animal Scientists, Salt Lake City, UT. Farnell, M.B. M.J. Moreira, and G.S. Archer. (2016). The effect of housing single combed white Leghorns in conventional cages versus enriched colony cages from 23 weeks to 79 weeks of age on stress and fear. 2016 Poultry Science     Association Annual Meeting, New Orleans, La. Goodman, L., A.F. Cibils, L. Owensby. 2016. Individual-based variation in grazing behavior of rangeland-raised beef cows. Proceedings of the 50th Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology. July 12 – 15, 2016, Edinburgh, Scotland. P.148. Gutwein K, Ali AB, Heleski C. 2016. Food anticipation in domestic horses – anticipating something good or frustrated with waiting for a desired resource? 12th International Equitation Science Conference, Saumur, France. Heleski CR, 2016. 052 Equine welfare in a competitive setting–What can ten-plus years of research by the equitation science community tell us? (And what critical pieces are still missing?). American Society of Animal Science Midwest Section Meeting, Des Moines, IA. Horvath, K., and E. K. Miller-Cushon. Cognition of dairy calves exposed to nutritional enrichments during the milk-feeding stage. Page 197 in Proceedings of the 50th Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology, July 12 to July 15, 2016, Edinburgh, United Kingdom. Dwyer, C., M. Haskells, and V. Sandilands, eds. Wageningen Academic Publishers. Horvath, K., and E. K. Miller-Cushon. Influence of milk feeding method on dietary selection of dairy calves. Page 231 in Proceedings of the 50th Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology, July 12 to July 15, 2016, Edinburgh, United Kingdom. Dwyer, C., M. Haskells, and V. Sandilands, eds. Wageningen Academic Publishers. Hunniford, ME, Siegford J, Widowski TM. 2016. The devil is in the details: How a simple design feature might affect laying hens’ perception of nest sites in furnished cages. 9th Annual Campbell Centre for the Study of Animal Welfare Research Symposium, Guelph, Canada. Jensen L, O’Malley C, Ison S, Wurtz K, Steibel J, Bates, R, Ernst C, Siegford J. 2016. Is leaner meaner? The effect of leanness on pig-pig aggression and pig-human interactions in finisher gilts. 50th Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology, Edinburgh UK. Jorgensen, M. and M.I. Endres. 2016. Risk factors for calf mortality on farms using automated calf feeders in the Midwest USA. J. Dairy Sci. 99 (E-Suppl 1): 582. Manning, H., Pempek, J., Cosentino, E., Eastridge, M., and K. Proudfoot. 2016. Dairy calf preference for enrichment items when housed in an individual hutch. Edinburgh: International Society for Applied Ethology, page 255 (poster presentation) Miller-Cushon, E. K., K. Horvath, G. E. Dahl, J. Laporta. 2016. In-utero exposure to heat stress during late gestation has prolonged negative effects on activity patterns of dairy calves. Journal of Dairy Science E. Suppl. 94:36. Miller-Cushon, E. K., and T. J. DeVries. 2016. Influences of feeding and housing practices on the behavior and performance of dairy calves. Journal of Dairy Science E. Suppl. 94:26. Miller-Cushon, E. K., and T. J. DeVries. 2016. Influences of feeding and housing practices on the behavior and performance of dairy calves. ADSA Southern Section Symposium. 2016 ADSA ASAS Joint Annual Meeting. Salt Lake City, Utah. July 19-23, 2016. Newsome N, Ali A, Campbell D, Siegford J. 2016. Open or Under? Occupancy and dust bathing in different litter areas by 4 strains of laying hen. 50th Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology, Edinburgh UK. Nyamurekung’e, S., A. Cibils, R. Estell, A. Gonzalez, O. Roacho-Estrada, F. Rodriguez-Almeida. 2016. Movement and spatial proximity patterns of rangeland-raised Raramuri Criollo cow-calf pairs. J. Anim, Sci. Vol 94. E. Suppl. 5, P. 39. Nyamurekung’e, S., A.F. Cibils, R.E. Estell, A.L. Gonzalez. 2016. Use of a UAV-Mounted Video Camera to Assess Feeding Behavior of Raramuri Criollo Cows. Proceedings of the 10th International Rangeland Congress, Saskatoon, Canada, July 17-22, 2016, P. 1070-1072. Onafowokan, A.A., J. A. Byrd, G. Archer, and C. Alvarado. (2016). Effect of lighting intensity on transmission of Salmonella among broiler chicks. 2016 Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting, New Orleans, La. O’Malley C, Wurtz K, Steibel J, Ernst C, Bates, R, Siegford J. 2016. Fear and its relationship to social aggression in group-housed swine. 50th Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology, Edinburgh UK. Pineda P., and N. Silva-del-Rio. 2016. Management and dimensions of footbaths on California dairies. J. Dairy Sci. Vol. 99, E-Suppl. 1. Proudfoot, K., Franks, B., and M. von Keyserlingk. Individual differences and the social environment affect risk of endometritis in dairy cows. Edinburgh: International Society of Applied Ethology, page 159 (poster presentation) Price, P.T., H.O. Pavlidis, D.R. McIntyre, J.A. Byrd, and G.S. Archer. (2016). Dietary supplementation of Original XPC to reduce stress in heat stressed and non-heat stressed broilers. 2016 Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting, New Orleans, La. Pullin, A., Campbell, B.J., Campler, M.R., and M.D. Pairis-Garcia. 2016. Impact of weaning on grazing and drinking behavior in pastured lambs. Edinburgh: International Society for Applied Ethology, page 122 (poster presentation) Simon GE, Tucker CB. 2016. A training website for assessing cow-calf health and handling. 5th International Symposium on Beef Cattle Welfare, Manhattan, KS. Swanson J, Mench J. 2016. Can animal welfare science have a role in creating a sustainable future for animal agriculture? 50th Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology, Edinburgh UK. Tresoldi, G, Schütz KE, Tucker CB. 2016. Cooling cows with soakers: spray duration affects heat loss in dairy cattle. Joint Annual Meeting of the American Dairy Science Association and the American Society of Animal Science, Salt Lake City, UT. Tucker CB. 2016. Invited talk: Assessing and improving welfare in cow-calf systems. Joint Annual Meeting of the American Dairy Science Association and the American Society of Animal Science, Salt Lake City, UT. Tucker CB. 2016. Invited Plenary: Assessing and improving welfare in cow-calf systems. Welfare Quality Network Seminar, Helsinki, Finland. Tucker, Z., D. Jeffery, and G.S. Archer. (2016). Increasing hatchability in duck eggs by exposing them to LED light during incubation. 2016 Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting, New Orleans, La. Villanueva, S, Ali A, Campbell D, Siegford J. 2016. Effect of different laying hen strains on daily egg laying patterns and egg damage in an aviary system. 50th Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology, Edinburgh UK. Wickens, C., M. J. Hersom, R. G. Easterly, E. Jennings, B. Myers, J. Shuffitt, B. Stice, and J. Weir. 2016. Creation, Delivery, and Assessment of the Livestock Education and Certification for Agricultural Law Enforcement Extension Program. J. Anim. Sci. 94:275-276. Wickens, C. 2016. Creation, Delivery, and Assessment of the Livestock Education and Certification for Agricultural Law Enforcement Extension Program. Extension Section. 2016 ADSA ASAS Joint Annual Meeting. Salt Lake City, Utah. July 19-23, 2016. Wurtz K, O’Malley C, Siegford J, Bates, R, Ernst C, Raney N, Steibel J. 2016. Estimation of heritability and environmental effects of number of scored lesions in group-housed pigs. 50th Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology, Edinburgh UK.

Impact Statements

Researchers at MSU are examining the relationship between behavior of individual hens and at the flock level to determine whether group-level behavior adequately captures the experience of the individual. They are also examining the relationship between assessments of hens’ physical welfare using a standardized assessment (Welfare Quality Protocol) to their behavior to determine what information is captured or absent if standardized physical assessments are used in the absence of behavior by auditing or assessment programs on farm.

Date of Annual Report: 12/18/2017

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 10/30/2017 - 10/30/2017
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2016 - 09/30/2017

Participants

Stations represented: Purdue, Iowa State Univeristy, UC Davis, University of Florida, Ohio State University, Michigan State University, University of Minnesota, Oregon State University, Tarleton State University, Rutgers University, Kansas State University, Washington State University, University of Maryland

Participants: Gaskill, Croney, Erasmus, Minton, Johnson, Tucker, Horback, Makagon, Blatchford, Miller-Cushon, Wickens, Proudfoot, Pairis-Garcia, Siegford, Swanson, Endres, Udell, Jones, Katz, Hulbert, Adams-Progar, Dennis

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes Attachment:

NC 1029 Minutes 2017.docx

Accomplishments

Automated measurement of animal responses (Objective 1)  Researchers at Michigan State University also co-led a research team examining the relationship of social behavior phenotypes to underlying genotypes in pigs with the goal of expanding swine breeding selection programs to include behavior. Similarly, researchers at The University of California, Davis conducted work assessing the development of personality traits in female pigs, the social network of group-housed gestating sows, and gauging the affective state of gilts and sows using cognitive bias testing. A study by Purdue to evaluate the thermal preference of piglets that have been exposed to various thermal stressors early in life was conducted earlier this year. The aim of this study was to determine if various thermal exposure may aid in those pig’s ability to cope with thermal stressors later in life as well as if it may alter thermal preference. Researchers at the University of Minnesota validated an ear-tag accelerometer sensor to determine rumination, eating and activity behaviors of grazing dairy cattle. Monitoring behavior can help improve animal welfare by detecting health disorders before they become severe. The results suggested that the sensor accurately monitored rumination and eating behavior; however, active behaviors may be more difficult to record in grazing systems. Researchers at the Ohio State University have collaborated with researchers at the University of Tennessee and the University of Kentucky to finish the data collection and analysis of a USDA-funded project assessing the effect of short-term sleep deprivation on the immunity and milk production of dairy cows. These results provide the first evidence that a short 24 hours of sleep deprivation can compromise immunity and impair milk production in high-lactation cattle. Researchers at the Ohio State University and the University of Tennessee have collaborated to finish data collection on a project assessing the natural calving behavior of dairy cows kept on pasture at parturition. As part of the same USDA-funded project, researchers have also begun a project in May 2017 assessing the effect of stocking density and the provision of a secluded area to give birth on the behavior and health of indoor-housed dairy cattle. Researchers at the University of Minnesota have also investigated performance and welfare of cows on dairy farms with robotic milking systems. It was found, among other findings, that primiparous cows had a lower milking frequency and a higher number of milking failures in early lactation than multiparous cows. The University of Minnesota in collaboration with Washington State University conducted a study to describe feeding behaviors for preweaned calves in farms with automated milk feeders and investigated the association of those behaviors with management practices. It was found that milk allowance was negatively associated with the number of unrewarded (when no milk is delivered) visits per calf per day. Further data analysis will investigate the association between behaviors and calf health.  Researchers at the University of Florida are preparing manuscripts for two studies that addressed 1) behavioral responses of weaned heifers to regrouping, and links between cognition and adaptation the group environment, and 2) behavior associated with sickness in the group-housed calf. In addition, we have ongoing data collection from studies investigating behavioral development of calves housed with different degrees of social and environmental enrichment (access to brushes and/or hay, within individual and social housing), and changes in enrichment use following dehorning.  Researchers at The University of California, Davis conducted work examining wound healing after disbudding with a hot iron in dairy calves. The results provide evidence that these wounds take up to 10 weeks to heal and represent a considerable injury during this time. To begin to understand the subjective states experience during this healing process, we developed and tested a conditioned place preference model for assessing pain in dairy calves. Researchers at Washington State University conducted two research studies implemented novel technology techniques to investigate how dairy cattle respond behaviorally and physiologically to environmental stress (cold stress and heat stress). The heat stress study specifically measured Holstein calf behavioral and physiological responses during hot weather in two different housing systems. Additionally, one study implemented emerging technology to monitor behavioral changes in dairy cows in relation to their hoof health. On-farm welfare assessment (Objective 2) To help inform swine welfare assessments, researchers at the University of Minnesota have compared behavior, skin lesions, tail damage, growth performance, and carcass traits between pigs with docked tails and intact tails. Tail docking reduced tail biting behavior and incidence of tail damage, but did not affect other behaviors, growth performance, skin lesions or carcass traits. Researchers at the Ohio State University have collaborated with researchers at Iowa State University in the development of a multi-media based training program on timely euthanasia. This educational program developed for swine producers to provide education in timely and humane euthanasia on farm. This project was funded by the National Pork Board.  Researchers at the Ohio State University finished data collection and analysis on a project assessing veal calf health upon arrival to calf operations in Ohio. The data provides evidence that the health of young veal calves is compromised when they arrive to veal operations, likely due to stress endured during auction and transport. This research will aid in the development of on-farm assessments for veal calves.  The University of California, Davis, conducted work evaluating the trade-offs and relative reliabilities of animal-based welfare assessment strategies for commercial ducks. Additionally, the group obtained funding to validate the use of commercially available sensors for automated tracking of poultry. An assessment of the variation in housing and welfare related animal based measures was conducted for backyard hens in rural and urban environments. An online training tool was also developed to aid in training auditors (as well as producers and the general public) to assess animal based measures for laying hens.  Researchers at Michigan State University have published findings comparing how flocks of laying hens of different genetic strains use space and resources differently in aviary housing and completed work on impact of litter substrate on hen behavior in aviaries. They are currently analyzing responses of individual hens and performing risk assessments to understand the relationship between hen physical health and use of space in aviaries. Researchers have begun work with colleagues at University of Bern to understand the impacts of pullet rearing on the behavior and keel damage of laying hens in aviaries. They are also examining the relationship between assessments of hens’ physical welfare, including keel damage, using a standardized assessment (Welfare Quality Protocol) to their behavior to determine what information is captured or absent if standardized physical assessments are used in the absence of behavior by auditing or assessment programs on farm.  Researchers at the University of Maryland have assessed the impacts of early exposure to ultraviolet light on poultry well-being and behavior and the production and welfare implications for multiple environmental enrichments in production quail. Researchers at Purdue University have conducted studies to examine the effects of stocking density and litter type on footpad dermatitis, feather pecking, and turkey well-being. Researchers at the University of Florida delivered the 5th offering of the Livestock Education and Certification for Agricultural Law Enforcement (LECALE) training program to provide Ag law enforcement personnel knowledge and skills necessary for assessing the welfare of livestock, with a primary focus on horses and cattle. Their research quantifying phenotypes of startle in response to a novel moving object in young horses is ongoing. In the past year, the University of Florida has initiated research and extension activities focused on the behavior and welfare of horses engaged in equine assisted activities and therapies (EAAT).

Publications

Publications: Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles Blatchford, RA. (2017). Poultry welfare assessments: Current use and limitations. J. Anim. Sci. 95: 1382-1387. Borchers, M.R., Chang, Y.M., Proudfoot, K.L., Wadsworth, B.A., Stone, A.E. and Bewley, J.M., 2017. Machine-learning-based calving prediction from activity, lying, and ruminating behaviors in dairy cattle. Journal of Dairy Science. 100: 5664-5674. Campbell DLM, Ali ABA, Karcher DM, Siegford JM. 2017. Laying hens in aviaries with different litter substrates: behavior across the flock cycle and feather lipid content. Poultry Science. doi: 10.3382/ps/pex204. Endres, M.I. 2017. The relationship of cow comfort and flooring to lameness disorders in dairy cattle. Vet. Clin. North Am. Food Anim. Pract. 33:227–233. Erasmus, M. 2017. A review of the effects of stocking density on turkey behavior, welfare, and productivity. Poult. Sci. 96: 2540-2545. Evink, T. and M.I. Endres. 2017. Management, operational, animal health and economic characteristics of large dairy herds in 4 states in the Upper Midwest of the United States. J. Dairy Sci. 100:9466-9475.  Horvath, K., and E. K. Miller-Cushon. 2017. The effect of milk feeding method and hay provision on the development of feeding behavior and non-nutritive oral behavior of dairy calves. Journal of Dairy Science. 100:3949-3957. Horvath, K., M. Fernandez, E. K. Miller-Cushon. 2017. The effect of feeding enrichment in the milk-feeding stage on the cognition of dairy calves in a T-maze. Applied Animal Behavior Science. 187:8-14. Hunniford ME, Woolcott C, Siegford J, Widowski TM. 2017. Nesting behavior of Hy-Line hens in modified enriched colony cages. Poultry Science. 96:1515-1523. doi: 10.3382/ps/pew436. Jensen, M.B. and Proudfoot, K.L., 2017. Effect of group size and health status on behavior and feed intake of multiparous dairy cows in early lactation. Journal of dairy science, 100(12), pp.9759-9768. Jorgensen, M.W., A. Adams-Progar, A.M.de Passillé, J. Rushen, S.M. Godden, H. Chester-Jones, and M.I. Endres. 2017. Factors associated with dairy calf health in automated feeding systems in the Upper Midwest United States. J. Dairy Sci. 100:5675-5686 Jorgensen, M.W., A. Adams-Progar, A.M.de Passillé, J. Rushen, J.A. Salfer, and M.I. Endres. 2017. Mortality and health treatment rates of dairy calves in automated milk feeding systems in the Upper Midwest of the United States. J. Dairy Sci. 100:9186-9193. Jorgensen, M.W., K. Janni, A. Adams-Progar, H. Chester-Jones, J.A. Salfer, and M.I. Endres. 2017. Housing and management characteristics of calf automated feeding systems in the Upper Midwest of the United States. J. Dairy Sci. 100:9881-9891. Li, Y. Z., K. A. McDonald, and H. W. Gonyou. 2017. Determining feeder space allowance across feed forms and water availability in the feeder for growing-finishing pigs. J. Swine Health Prod. 25: 174-182. Li, Y. Z., H. F. Zhang, L. J. Johnston, W. Martin, J. D. Peterson, and J. F. Coetzee.  2017.  Effects of tail biting on performance and welfare of growing-finishing pigs in a confinement housing system.  J. Anim. Sci. doi:10.2527/jas2017.1571 Lord L, Millman S, Carbone L, Cook N, Fisher A, McKeegan D, Morton D, Pajor E, Peralta JM, Robertson SA, Siegford J, Egrie PG, Mashima TY, Turner PV, Golab GC, Patterson-Kane E. 2017. A model curriculum for the study of animal welfare in colleges and schools of veterinary medicine. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association. 250:632-640.  Mullins, CR, Pairis-Garcia, MD, George, K, Anthony, R, Johnson, AK, Coleman CJ, Rault, J-L, Millman, ST, "Determination of swine euthanasia criteria and analysis of current approaches to on-farm euthanasia decision-making aids in the United States using expert opinion". Animal Welfare. (In Press) Mullins, CR, Pairis-Garcia, MD, Campler, MR, Anthony, R, Johnson, AK, Coleman CJ, Rault, J-L, "The development of an interactive computer-based training program for timely and humane on-farm pig euthanasia". Journal of Veterinary Medical Education. (In Press)  Norring, M, Mintline, EM, Tucker, CB. (2017) The age of surgical castration affects the healing process in beef calves. Trans. Anim. Sci. 1: 358-366.  Pempek, J.A., Eastridge, M.L. and Proudfoot, K.L., 2017. The effect of a furnished individual hutch pre-weaning on calf behavior, response to novelty, and growth. Journal of Dairy Science, 100(6), pp.4807-4817. Pempek, J., Trearchis, D., Masterson, M., Habing, G. and Proudfoot, K., 2017. Veal calf health on the day of arrival at growers in Ohio. Journal of animal science, 95(9), pp.3863-3872. Pullin, A.N., Pairis-Garcia, M.D., Campbell, B.J., Campler, M.R. and Proudfoot, K.L., 2017. Instantaneous sampling intervals validated from continuous video observation for behavioral recording of feedlot lambs. Journal of Animal Science, 95(11), pp.4703-4707. Pullin, A.N., Pairis-Garcia, M.D., Campbell, B.J., Campler, M.R., Proudfoot, K.L. and Fluharty, F.L., 2017. The effect of social dynamics and environment at time of early weaning on short-and long-term lamb behavior in a pasture and feedlot setting. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 197, pp.32-39. Villanueva S, Ali ABA, Campbell DLM, Siegford JM. 2017. Nest use and patterns of egg laying and damage by four strains of laying hens in an aviary system. Poultry Science. 96:3011-3020. doi: 10.3382/ps/pex104. Van Os, JM, Stull, CL, Ledgerwood, DL, Tucker, CB. (2017) Muddy conditions reduce hygiene and lying time in dairy cattle and increase time spent on concrete. J Dairy Sci, 100: 1-14. Van Os, JM, Mintline, EM, DeVries, T, Tucker, CB. (2017) Motivation of naïve feedlot cattle to obtain grain and individual responses to novelty.  Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. In press. Wurtz KE, Siegford JM, Bates RO, Ernst CE, Steibel JP. 2017. Estimation of genetic parameters for lesion scores and growth traits in group-housed pigs. Journal of Animal Science. 95:4310-4317. doi:10.2527/jas2017.1757 Book chapters Blatchford, R.A. (2017) Emerging issues: Backyard flock production. In J.A. Mench (Ed.), Advances in poultry welfare (339-350). Elsevier, Duxford, UK. Erasmus, M. A. 2017. Welfare issues in turkey production. In: Advances in poultry welfare. Mench, J. A. (ed.). Woodhead Publishing. In press. Horback, K. (2017). Personality in swine. In J. Vonk, S. Kuczaj and A. Weiss (Eds.), Personality in non-human animals (185-204). Springer. Makagon, M.M., and R.A. Blatchford. (2017). Understanding poultry behavior. In Applegate, T. (ed.), Achieving sustainable production of poultry meat Volume 3: Health and welfare, Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing , Cambridge, UK. Proudfoot, K, and Huzzey, J. 2017. Behavior of transition cows and relationship with health. In: Large Dairy Herd Management. American Dairy Science Association, Ill. Pages 1055-1066. Tucker, C. (2017). Behaviour of cattle. The Ethology of Domestic Animals, 3rd edition, Jensen, P (ed.), CABI, Wallingford, UK. Scientific Presentations and Outreach Adams Progar, A., A. Deml, R. Pernu, H. Young, and J. Callanan. 2017. Feeding acidified milk to Holstein calves: assessment of calf behavior and welfare. Assessment of Animal Welfare at Farm and Group Level Conference, Ede, Netherlands, September 2017  Adams Progar, A., A. Deml, R. Pernu, H. Young, and J. Callanan. 2017. Holstein calf behavioral responses to acidified milk. American Dairy Science Association Annual Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA, June 2017.  Adams Progar, A. 2017. Amber’s top ten tips: Understanding dairy cattle welfare form an international perspective. WSU Dairy Newsletter, September 2017.  Adams Progar, A. 2017. Amber’s top ten tips: footbaths and hoof health. WSU Dairy Newsletter, June 2017. Adams Progar, A. 2017. Amber’s top ten tips: pest bird management. WSU Dairy Newsletter, March 2017. Abdelfattah, E.M., G. Vezzoli, M.M. Makagon. (2017). Assessment of commercial Pekin duck welfare: A comparison of methods. 106th Meeting of the Poultry Science Association, Orlando, FL.  Adcock SJ, Tucker CB. (2017) The startle response as a measure of fear in dairy calves. 51th International Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology, Aarhus, Denmark. Adcock SJ, Tucker CB. (2017) The effect of age on pain sensitivity during burn wound healing in dairy calves. Pain in Animals Workshop 2017: Creating a roadmap for measuring chronic pain in dogs and cats. Bethesda, Maryland. Ali ABA, Campbell DLM, Karcher DM, Siegford JM*. 2017. Influence of genetic strain on resource use by four strains of laying hens in a non-cage aviary. Proceedings of the 13th North American Regional Meeting of the International Society for Applied Ethology. 13:44. (poster) Ali ABA, Campbell DLM, Karcher DM, Siegford JM*. 2017. Nighttime preference for roosting height and substrate type among four strains of laying hens in an aviary system. 10th European Poultry Welfare Symposium: Book of Abstracts. 10:164. (poster) Ali ABA, Riddle ER, Campbell DLM, Siegford JM*. 2017. Two-dimensional space use by 4 genetic strains of laying hens in an aviary system. Poultry Science. 96(E-Supplement 1):101. (talk) Blatchford, R.A. (2017). Assessing hen welfare. World Agricultural Expo, Tulare, CA. Blatchford, R.A. (2017). Assessing animal based measures for laying hens: An online training tool for auditors. American Humane Association’s Annual Scientific Advisory Committee Meeting, Beverly Hills, CA. Blatchford, R.A. (2017) Identifying bird behaviors for welfare indicators. U.S. Poultry and Egg Association’s Live Production, Welfare, & Biosecurity Seminar, Nashville, TN. Blatchford, R.A. & De Luz, M. (2017). A survey of the housing and physical conditions of backyard flocks. International Poultry Scientific Forum, Atlanta, GA. Cirillo, K., A. Adams Progar, T. Caskin, K. Steensma, S. Kerr, and B. Garries. 2017. Evaluation of wild bird species populations on Washington dairy farms. WSU SURCA Event, Pullman, WA, March 2017. Dewberry BC, O’Malley CI, Wurtz KE, Steibel JP, Bates RO, Ernst CW, Siegford JM*. 2017. Comparing measurements of different behavioral responses between a novel environment test and a novel object test in domestic swine. Proceedings of the 13th North American Regional Meeting of the International Society for Applied Ethology. 13:43. (poster) Edmondson, A. L. Dearmin, and A. Adams Progar. 2017. Hoof health in dairy cattle. WSU SURCA Event, Pullman, WA, March 2017. Edwards, E.M.; Proudfoot, K.L.; Dann, H.M.; Krawczel, P.D. (2017). Dairy cows and heifers prefer to calve in a bedded pack barn or natural forage compared to open pasture. [Abstract]. Proceedings of the 51st International Congress of the International Society of Applied Ethology,212-212. Edwards, E.M.; Proudfoot, K.L.; Dann, H.M.; Krawczel, P.D. (2017). Dairy cows and heifers prefer to calve in a bedded pack barn or natural forage compared to open pasture. [Abstract]. Proceedings of the 13th ISAE North-American Regional Meeting,17-17. Endres, M., M. Peiter, and M. Jorgensen. 2017. Feeding behavior of group-housed calves in Midwest US farms with automated feeders. In Proc. 51th Congress ISAE, Aarhus, Denmark, pg 68. Endres, M.I. Automated calf feeder systems: What we learned from farms in the Upper Midwest USA. 2017. Pg. 55 in Proc. Conf. Precision Dairy Farming, Lexington, KY, May 30-June 1, 2017. Erasmus, M., K. VanDeWater, D. Karcher, S. Noll and R. M. Hulet. 2017. Effect of bird density and bedding source on heavy turkey hens: Behavior. Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL. Flynn GE, Wurtz KE, O’Malley CI, Steibel JP, Bates RO, Ernst CW, Siegford JM*. 2017. Analysis of swine aggression when stable groups are moved to novel pens. Proceedings of the 13th North American Regional Meeting of the International Society for Applied Ethology. 13:15. (talk) Furo, G., R. M. Hulet, L. Kitto, D. Karcher, M. Erasmus and S. Noll. 2017. Effect of bird density and bedding source on heavy turkey hens: footpad dermatitis. Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL.  Hixson, C. L., P. D. Krawczel, J. M. Caldwell, and E. K. Miller-Cushon. 2017. Behavioral changes in group-housed dairy calves infected with Mannheimia haemolytica. Journal of Dairy Science E. Suppl. 100:228. Horback, K. (2017). Recognizing the relationship between personality traits and animal welfare in domestic swine. Presented at the World Agricultural Expo, Tulare, CA. Horback, K. (2017). Personality traits and affective state in swine. Presented at the annual meeting of the Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization (PAACO), Davis, CA. Horback, K. (2017). Behavioral traits and health in domestic swine. Presented to the behavior medicine and animal welfare club, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, Davis, CA. Horback, K., Pierdon, M., & Parsons, T. (2017). Social network analysis in group-housed gestating sows. Presented at the 13th North American Regional Meeting of the International Society for Applied Ethology, Ames, IA. Horback, K. & Parsons, T. (2017). The relationship between personality traits and cognitive bias in domestic swine. Presented at 15th meeting of Comparative Cognition Society, Melbourne, FL.  Horback, K., Martin, A., & Parsons, T. (2017). Novel behavioral indicators of pain in castrated piglets. Presented at the 1st annual Pig Welfare Symposium, Des Moines, IA.  Horvath, K. C., and E. K. Miller-Cushon. 2017. Characterizing activity at social grouping in weaned dairy calves. Journal of Dairy Science E. Suppl. 100:228. House, G. UG, K. VanDeWater and M. Erasmus. 2017. Pre-laying behavior and nest substrate preference of laying hens in a cage-free system. 2017. Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL. Hulet, R. M., L. Kitto, S. Noll, D. Karcher, and M. Erasmus. 2017. Effect of bird density and bedding source on heavy turkey hens: Growth efficiency and litter composition. Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL. Ison SH, Bates RO, Steibel JP, Ernst CW, Siegford JM*. Pork producer outreach: Could we be doing better? A North American survey. National Pork Board Pig Welfare Symposium. (poster) Ison SH, Bates RO, Steibel JP, Ernst CW, Siegford JM*. 2017. US pork producer perceptions of issues affecting the management, performance, and well-being of pigs. Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on the Assessment of Animal Welfare at Farm and Group Level. 7:148. (poster) Ison SH, Steibel JP, Bates RO, Steibel JP, Ernst CW, Siegford JM*. 2017. Frequency of culling by sow housing type as reported by North American pork producers. Proceedings of the 13th North American Regional Meeting of the International Society for Applied Ethology. 13:45. (poster) Ison SH, Bates RO, Steibel JP, Ernst CW, Siegford JM*. 2017. On-farm techniques used to minimize aggression in pigs by US pork producers. Proceedings of the 51st Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology, Aarhus, Denmark, August 7-10, 2017. 51:100. (talk) Kremer, J., C. Robison, S. Noll, R. M. Hulet, M. Erasmus and D. Karcher. 2017. Growth-dependent changes in pressure sensing walkway data for turkeys. Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL.  Kull, J.A.; Pighetti, G.M.; Proudfoot, K.L.; Bewley, J.M. et al. (2017). Effects of acute lying and sleep deprivation on behavior and productivity of Holstein dairy cows. [Abstract]. Proceedings of the 51st International Congress of the International Society of Applied Ethology,134-134.  Kull, J.A.; Proudfoot, K.L.; Pighetti, G.M.; Bewley, J.M. et al. (2017). Effects of acute lying and sleep deprivation on behaviour and milk production of lactating Holstein dairy cows. [Abstract]. Journal of Dairy Science, 100,138-138. Li, Y. Z., and L. J. Johnston. 2017. Effect of tail docking on welfare and performance of pigs during nursery and growing-finishing periods. J.An.Sci. 95 (Suppl.1): 34. Li, Y. Z., H. Zhang, L. J. Johnston, and W. Martin. 2017. Do pigs form social structures: an application of social network analysis? J.An.Sci. 95 (Suppl.1): 7. Li, Y. Z., S. Cui, X. Yang, B. A. Crooker, S. K. Baidoo, and L. J. Johnston. 2017. Salivary cortisol concentrations of group-housed gestating sows: individual vs. group samples. J. An.Sci. 95 (Suppl.1): 8. Li, Y. Z., J. Brown, L. Johnston, T. Parsons, T. Safranski, and Y. Seddon. 2016. Floor Feeding – A Guide for Managing Sows. National Pork Board #004934; Clive, IA. 12/2016. Lopez Ayala, A., A. Adams Progar, P. Calderon-Hernandez, J. Swain, and J. Harrison. 2017. The key to animal welfare: communication. WSU SURCA Event, Pullman, WA, March 2017. Makagon, M.M. (2017) What do welfare assessments tell us. Maple Leaf Farms Duck Welfare Research Meeting, Leesburg, IN. Makagon, M.M. (2017). Technologies in poultry research and production: Recent advances and future directions. 106th Annual Meeting of the Poultry Science Association (PSA), Orlando, FL (July 20, 2017) Marchewka, J., I. Estevez, G. Vezzoli and M.M. Makagon. (2017). On-farm health and welfare risk factors for pre-slaughter mortality and condemnations in commercial male turkey (melagris gallopavo) flocks., Xth European Symposium on Poultry Welfare (World’s Poultry Science Working Group 9), Ploufragan, France (June 19-22, 2017)  Medrano-Galarza, C., S. J. LeBlanc, A. Jones-Bitton, T. J. DeVries, A. M. de Passillé, J. Rushen, M.I. Endres, and D.B. Haley. 2017. Associations of management practices and calf health on dairy farms using automated milk feeders in southern Ontario. J. Dairy Sci.100 (Suppl. 2):340  Medrano-Galarza, C., S. J. LeBlanc, A. Jones-Bitton, T. J. DeVries, A. M. de Passillé, J. Rushen, M.I. Endres, and D.B. Haley. 2017. Which data recorded by automated calf feeders can help to detect sick calves? J. Dairy Sci.100 (Suppl. 2):137.  Murillo, A., Abdoli A., Blatchford, R.A. & Gerry, A. (2017) Using technology to assess ectoparasite effects on poultry behavior and welfare. Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting, Denver, CO. O’Malley CI, Wurtz KE, Steibel JP, Bates RO, Ernst CW, Siegford JM*. 2017. Pigs’ individual aggressiveness is related to responses to non-social challenges in group-housed finisher pigs. National Pork Board Pig Welfare Symposium. (poster)  O’Malley CI, Wurtz KE, Steibel JP, Bates RO, Ernst CW, Siegford JM*. 2017. The relationship between response to humans and social aggression in pigs. Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on the Assessment of Animal Welfare at Farm and Group Level. 7:226. (poster)  O’Malley CI, Wurtz KE, Steibel JP, Bates RO, Ernst CW, Siegford JM*. 2017. Do different behavior tests measure similar personality dimensions in domestic pigs? Proceedings of the 13th North American Regional Meeting of the International Society for Applied Ethology. 13:41. (poster) Pearsall HE, Hinson AF, O’Malley CI, Wurtz KE, Steibel JP, Bates RO, Ernst CW, Siegford JM*. 2017. The relationship between social aggression and play behavior in finisher pigs: do pigs that play less fight more? Proceedings of the 13th North American Regional Meeting of the International Society for Applied Ethology. 13:16. (talk) Peiter, M, M. Jorgensen, and M. I. Endres. 2017. Daily milk consumption, number of visits, drinking speed and weight gain of preweaned calves in Midwest US farms with automated feeders.  J. Dairy Sci.100 (Suppl. 2):137. Pereira, G., B.  Heins, and M. Endres. 2017. Validation of an accelerometer to monitor rumination,  eating and activity in an organic grazing dairy herd.  J. Dairy Sci.100 (Suppl. 2):355. Proudfoot, K.L.; Krawczel, P.D.; Von Keyserlingk, M.A.G. (2017). Designing the maternity pen to allow for maternal behavior in dairy cattle. American Dairy Science Association. Proudfoot, K.L. (2017). The calving pen from the cow's perspective. Ohio Dairy Veterinarian's Annual Meeting. Rankins, E.M., C. Cook, C. Kajtar, M. Sokolof, C.L. Wickens. 2017. An assessment of the educational needs of equine assisted activities and therapies (EAAT) centers. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 52: 114-115. Schafer, J., A. Adams Progar, and X. Wen. 2017. Behavioral indicators of illness in Jersey calves during cold weather. WSU SURCA Event, Pullman, WA, March 2017. Siegford JM. 2017. Laying hen welfare. Animal Care and Handling Conference. North American Meat Institute. Kansas City, MO. (invited talk) Siegford JM. 2017. Relating social behavior to genotypes to improve welfare of group-housed pigs. Animal Welfare Seminar Series. Veterinary Public Health Institute, Animal Welfare Division, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. (invited talk) Siegford JM, Ali ABA. 2017. Laying hen research at MSU Laying Hen Facility. Michigan Farm Bureau Field Staff Meeting. East Lansing, MI. (tour and talk) Siegford JM, Ali ABA, MacLachlan S. 2017. Laying hen research at MSU Laying Hen Facility. MSU New Extension and AgBioResearch Council Tour. East Lansing, MI. (tour and talk) Siegford JM. 2017. Animal behavior and handling. MSU New Extension Educator Workshop/Technician In-Service. East Lansing, MI. (demonstration and talk) Siegford JM. 2017. Animal welfare issues in dairy farms. NOSAI Japanese Vet Training: International Dairy Production Medicine Clerkship. East Lansing, MI. (talk) Siewert, J.M., J. A. Salfer, and M.I. Endres. 2017. Daily milk production, number of milkings, feed consumption and rumination time for cows in robotic milking systems in the United States. J. Dairy Sci.100 (Suppl. 2):355 Studds, M.J.; Deikun, L.L.; Proudfoot, K.L. Lying time as an early indicator of disease in veal calves. [Abstract]. Proceedings of the 18th Annual National Veterinary Scholars Symposium,295-295.  Tucker, CB. (2017). Animal welfare and the dairy industry. Invited talk at National Milk Producers Federation FARM Customer Forum, Los Angeles, CA. Van Os JM, Mintline EM, DeVries T, Tucker CB. (2017) Feedlot cattle are motivated to obtain roughage and show contrafreeloading. 51th International Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology, Aarhus, Denmark. Van Os JM, Wincker C, Trieb J, Matarazzo S, Lehenbauer T, Champagne J, Tucker CB. (2017) Sampling strategies for dairy cow welfare assessments. Joint Annual Meeting of the American Dairy Science Association, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Weir, J.M., H. Li, C. Zhang, D. Ferguson, S. Dougherty, C. Wickens. 2017. Determining the aversion of horses to different ammonia concentrations. J. Equine Vet. Sci. 52: 104.  Wickens, C., M. Hersom, E. Jennings, B. Stice, J Shuffitt, J. Brown. 2017. Evaluating the Post-Course Application of the Livestock Education and Certification for Agricultural Law Enforcement (LECALE) Extension Curriculum. J. Anim. Sci. 95(S1): 8. Wickens, C. 2017. Understanding equine behavior: What is my horse telling me? Horse Fever University, The Stock Market Country Store, Conyers, GA. (Invited) Wickens, C. 2017. Why does my horse do that? Basic equine behavior. Rutgers Equine Sciences Center, Horses 2017: The Best of the Best Conference, Piscataway, NJ. (Invited) Wickens, C., M. Hersom, E. Jennings, B. Stice, J Shuffitt, J. Brown (ug). 2017. Evaluating the Post-Course Application of the Livestock Education and Certification for Agricultural Law Enforcement (LECALE) Extension Curriculum. ASAS Southern Section Meeting, Franklin, TN.  Wen, X., D. A. Moore, J. H. Harrison, J. Schafer, and A. Adams Progar. 2017. Using calf jackets to minimize cold stress in Jersey calves. American Dairy Science Association Annual Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA, June 2017. Wurtz KE, Steibel JP, Bates RO, Ernst CW, Raney NE, Siegford JM*. 2017. Genome-wide association analyses of skin lesions and their genetic correlations with production traits in group-housed swine. National Pork Board Pig Welfare Symposium. (poster) Wurtz KE, Siegford JM, Bates RO, Ernst CW, Steibel JP. 2017. Genetic correlations between skin lesions and growth traits in group housed pigs. Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on the Assessment of Animal Welfare at Farm and Group Level. 7:217. (talk) Wurtz KE, Steibel JP, Bates RO, Ernst CW, Raney NE, Siegford JM*. 2017. Genome wide association analyses of lesion scores in group-housed swine. Proceedings of the 13th North American Regional Meeting of the International Society for Applied Ethology. 13:32. (talk) Young, H. A., A. Adams Progar, and A. Lopez Ayala. 2017. Comparison of two housing systems and dairy calf physiological responses during hot weather. American Dairy Science Association Annual Meeting, Pittsburgh, PA, June 2017. Young, H. A., A. Adams Progar, and A. Lopez Ayala. 2017. Comparison of two housing systems and dairy calf physiological responses during hot weather. WSU SURCA Event, Pullman, WA, March 2017. Zhang, H. F., J. Wang, L. Wan, and Y. Z. Li. 2016. Consumers’ preferences and willingness to pay for traceable pork in Guangzou (China). Guangdong Agricultural Science 43: 183-192 (in Chinese).

Impact Statements

Results from projects conducted at Washington State University have been disseminated through presentations (scientific and outreach), factsheets, newsletter articles, lay magazine articles, and exhibits (such as booth exhibits). Presentations targeted a wide variety of audiences that included animal scientists, physicians, veterinarians, and dairy industry representatives.

Date of Annual Report: 01/14/2019

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 11/30/2018 - 11/30/2018
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2017 - 09/30/2018

Participants

University of California, Davis, University of Florida, Purdue University, Ohio State University, Michigan State University, Minnesota University, Texas A&M, Rutgers, Washington State University, Tarleton State University, Illinois State University, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Kansas State University and University of Maryland; Members: Tucker, Horback, Blantchford, Tucker, Gaskill, Erasmus, Proudfoot, Swanson, Siegford, Endres, Daigle, Katz, Adams-Proger, Hulbert, Dennis, Costa, Van Os, Green.

Brief Summary of Minutes

Minutes Attachment:

NC 1029 Minutes 2017.docx

Accomplishments

Automated measurement of animal responses (Objective 1)   Researchers at Michigan State University have completed two projects and published papers on the impact of hen strain (breed) on amount of space hens occupy when performing key behaviors; and how delayed placement of pullets into aviary (individual and flock levels) affects hen behaviors including movement/falls at night. She has on-going work on bone strength and keel damage with collaborators at University of Bern. Two grant proposals have been submitted related to this work. MSU researchers are working on a USDA funded project examining how social behavior phenotypes relate to underlying genotypes and production traits in swine is on-going.   Research conducted at UC Davis on individually-housed, mature boars found that the animals preferred interacting with hanging cotton rope enrichment over hanging rubber chew sticks when given the option. The boars spent less time performing the abnormal stereotypic behavior of sham chewing when provided enrichment as compared to no enrichment. Such reductions in amount of time spent performing abnormal stereotypic behaviors could indicate that animals’ behavioral needs are being met by the enrichment object. Thus, the results of this study could help provide producers with more objective, research-based suggestions concerning the efficacy of practical enrichment choices for individually-housed.   Researchers at Texas A & M have completed projects looking to minimize stress in poultry (broilers, laying hens, and ducks) utilizing feed additives and lighting programs.  They have also begun work to determine optimal methods for euthanasia on farm for broiler, ducks, and turkeys, and continue to look for means to improve the measurement of welfare as well as to improve the welfare of animals via external and internal environmental manipulation.   Researchers at Kansas State University created protocols for an in-pen approach tests to distinguish sub clinically injured or sick pigs from sham-treated pigs.  In addition, we developed a standard protocol for conditioning pigs to be able to test cortical function through somatosentory stimulation. These protocols and projects were presented by undergraduates and graduate students at scientific meetings. Station members also Created and implemented an automated environmentally enrichment device for veal calves that can be used to provide environmental enrichment and data may serve as an indicator of distress, injury, or sickness.   Researchers at the University of Maryland have assessed the impacts of early exposure to microbiome altering diets on poultry well-being and behavior and the production and welfare implications for multiple environmental enrichments in production quail.   Researchers at the University of Wisconsin, Madison have performed research on the impacts of feed delivery methods of milk starter on well-being outcomes as well as aspects of thermal comfort in both summer and winter months. Station members are investigating heat stress in adult lactating cows in a commercial dairy that utilizing a cooling system using water compared with more conventional cooling systems.   Members of the Rutger’s University station have performed research investigating the impact of environment, including social makeup and in utero environment, on masculinization and feminization of developing livestock. Resulting phenotypes can alter physiological, behavioral and production metrics. Results from this study can help to identify means of assessing and programing animal well-being. Additional research from this station is assessing the impact of gestational environment on response to post natal and adult external stressor. Researchers at University of Florida are investigating the social and behavioral implications of disease state utilizing multiple methodologies including using GPS analysis to spot sick cows. Station members are also analyzing learning and discrimination tasks in cattle to determine if early learning with humans can reduce aversive learning during potentially stressful husbandry procedures and improve overall well-being and handling, and improve social behaviors.   On-farm welfare assessment (Objective 2)   Researchers at Michigan State University are working on the animal welfare portion of an Adaptive Multi-Paddock (AMP) Grazing project supported by FFAR (Arizona State University, Peter Byck PI). Based on the findings of (Simon et al. 2016 part 1&2), high risk measures are being used to assess rancher attitudes and the welfare of beef cows on ranches (AMP and conventional grazers) participating on the project. Data collection began October 2018 and will be completed spring 2019.   Research conducted at UC Davis evaluated the response to physical restraint in pregnant ewes in order to adapt the current chute score system for cattle for sheep. There was a significant positive correlation between heart rate and chute score, which suggests that ewes with a higher chute score experience a high arousal negative state. There was also a significantly positive correlation between step rate and vocalization rate, which suggests that both step rate and vocalization rate may be responses of a negative state due to physical restraint within the squeeze chute as well as isolation from the flock. Investigating these parameters may give more insight into sheep behavior and welfare, through the development of an objective measure of stress that is easy to use and applicable in a variety of settings.   Researchers at the University of Maryland evaluated the use of fecal bacterial shedding as a measure of animal well-being. There was significant difference in species population in animals under stress, animals in barren environments and animals with physical injury. Data collected suggest that fecal sampling can be used as a measure of on-farm welfare assessment.   Station members are using integrated data from past trials to assess new algorithms in order to measure animal well-being and better detect disease or other problems. Their model is was established from studies of how animals cope with stress AND disease challenges.   Researchers at the University of Florida delivered the 6th offering of the Livestock Education and Certification for Agricultural Law Enforcement (LECALE) training program to provide Ag law enforcement personnel knowledge and skills necessary for assessing the welfare of livestock, with a primary focus on horses and cattle   Station researchers at numerous stations (including University of Maryland, Michigan State University, University of Florida, and UC Davis) are developing and analyzing multiple non-invasive metrics for the assessment of animal and poultry well-being including multiple biochemical measures that can be analyzed from fecal, hair and behavioral measures.

Publications

Peer-reviewed articles Adcock, SJJ, Tucker, CB, Weerasinghe, G, Rajapaksha, E. (2018) Branding practices on four dairies in Kantale, Sri Lanka. Animals, 8(137): doi:10.3390/ani80801. Adcock, SJJ, Tucker, CB. (2018) The effect of disbudding age on healing and pain sensitivity in dairy calves. J Dairy Sci, 101: 10361-10373. Ali ABA, Siegford JM. 2018. An approach for tracking directional activity of individual laying hens within a multi-tier cage-free housing system (aviary) using accelerometers.Measuring Behavior 2018 Conference Proceedings: 11th Annual Conference on Methods and Techniques in Behavioral Research. 11:178-180. Capik, S., R.L. Larson, N. Van Engen, N. Cernicchiaro, T.J. Engelken J. Lakritz, M.A.  Ballou, L.E. Hulbert, R. Vann, J.L. Caswell, G. Jacob, J.A.  Carroll, J.F. Coetzee, and B. White. 2017. The impact of oral meloxicam prior to transportation on inflammatory mediators and immune function of arriving feedlot cattle.  Am. J. Vet. Res. 78: 1426-1436.<a href="https://doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.78.12.1426"> doi.org/10.2460/ajvr.78.12.1426</a> Daigle CL and Ridge E. 2018. Investing in stockpeople is an investment in the sustainability of animal agriculture.  Animal Frontiers, vfy015,<a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/af/vfy015"> https://doi.org/10.1093/af/vfy015</a> Daigle, CL, Mathias A, Ridge E, Gill, R., Wickersham, T. A., and Sawyer, J. E. 2018. Case Study: Impact of exercise programs during receiving in a commercial feedlot on behavior and productivity of Brahman crossbred calves: results from a commercial environment and a comparison to the research environment. The Professional Animal Scientist. 34: 653-663. doi: 10.15232/pas.2018-01744. Daigle CL, Herring AD, and Bazer FW. 2018. Breeding and Welfare, Genetic manipulation of beef and dairy cattle. In “The welfare of cattle” ed. Engle, Klingborg, and Rollin.  CRC Press. 93-108. Daigle, CL, Jackson, B., Gill, R., Wickersham, T. A., & Sawyer, J. E. 2017. Impact of exercise on productivity, behavior, and immune functioning of weaned Bos indicus–cross calves housed in drylots. Journal of animal science, 95(12), 5230-5239. Daigle CL. 2016. In search of the urban cowboy: the need to incorporate animal husbandry into the United States higher education curriculum and its implications for production animal welfare. Front. Vet. Sci. 3:84. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2016.00084. Dennis, T.S., F.X. Suarez-Mena, T. M. Hill, J.D. Quigley, R.L. Schlotterbeck, R.N. Klopp, G.J. Lascono, and L.E. Hulbert. 2018. Effects of gradual and later weaning ages when feeding high milk replacer rates on growth, textured starter digestibility, and behavior in Holstein calves from 0 to 4 months of age J. Dairy. Sci.<a href="https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2018-15319"> https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2018-15319</a> Dennis, T.S., F.X. Suarez-Mena, T.M. Hill, J.D. Quigley, R.L. Schlotterbeck, and L.E. Hulbert. 2017. Effect of milk replacer feeding amount, age at weaning, and method of reducing milk replacer to wean on digestion, performance, rumination, and activity in dairy calves to 4 months of age. J. Dairy Sci. 101: 268-278.<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.2017-13692"> dx.doi.org/10.3168/jds.2017-13692</a> Hill, T.M., F.X. Suarez-Mena, W. Hu, T.S. Dennis, R.L. Schlotterbeck, and L.E Hulbert. 2017. Technical note: Evaluation of an ear-attached movement sensor to record rumination, eating, and activity behaviors in one-month old calves. Profess. Anim. Sci: 33:743-747<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.15232/pas.2017-01623"> dx.doi.org/10.15232/pas.2017-01623</a> Horback, K. M., & Parsons, T. D. (2018) Ontogeny of behavioral traits in commercial sows. Animal, 1-8. Ison SH, Bates RO, Ernst CW, Steibel JP, Siegford JM*. 2018. Housing, ease of handling and minimising inter-pig aggression at mixing for nursery to finishing pigs as reported in a survey of North American pork producers. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 205:159-166. doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2018.05.004 O’Malley CI, Wurtz KE, Steibel JP, Bates RO, Ernst CW, Siegford JM*. 2018. Relationships among aggressiveness, fearfulness and human-interactions in finisher pigs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 205:194-201. doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2018.03.001 Riddle ER, Ali ABA, Campbell DLM, Siegford JM. 2018. Space use by 4 strains of laying hens to perch, wing flap, dust bathe, stand and lie down. PLoS ONE. 13(1): e0190532. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0190532 Scanavez, A.L.A., B. Fragomeni, L. Rocha, B.E. Voelz, L.E. Hulbert and L.G.D. Mendonça. 2017. Association of Vaginal Temperature during the Dry Period and Performance in the Subsequent Lactation of Heat-Stressed Dairy Cows. J. Anim. Sci. 95:5208-5217.<a href="https://doi.org/10.2527/jas2017.1620"> doi.org/10.2527/jas2017.1620</a> Schütz, KE, Rajapaksha, E, Mintline, EM, Cox, N, Tucker, CB. (2018) Stepping behavior and muscle activity of dairy cattle standing on concrete or rubber flooring for 1 or 3 hours. J Dairy Sci, 101: 9472-9482. Toaff-Rosenstein, RL, Tucker, CB. (2018) The sickness response at and before clinical diagnosis of spontaneous bovine respiratory disease. Appl Anim Behav Sci, 201: 85-92. Tucker, CB, Munksgaard, L, Mintline, EM, Jensen MB. (2018) Use of a pneumatic push gate to measure dairy cattle motivation to lie down in a deep-bedded area. Appl Anim Behav Sci, 201: 15-24. Van Os, JM, Mintline, EM, DeVries, T, Tucker, CB. (2018) Domestic cattle (Bos taurus taurus) are motivated to obtain forage and demonstrate contrafreeloading. PLOS One, 13: e0193109 Van Os, JMC, Winckler, C, Trieb, J, Matarazzo, SV, Lehenbauer, TW, Champagne, JD, & Tucker, CB. (2018) Reliability of sampling strategies for measuring dairy cattle welfare on commercial farms. J Dairy Sci, 101: 1495-1504. Voelz, B.E., C.E. Payne, L. Hulbert, J.S. Stevenson, M. Brouk, L.G.D. Mendonça.  2017. Kansas Dairy Producers' Needs Survey: Reproductive Management on Kansas Dairy Farms. J. Extension 55: 4RIB6 <a href="https://www.joe.org/joe/2017august/rb6.php">https://www.joe.org/joe/2017august/rb6.php</a> Witaifi AA, Ali ABA, Siegford JM*. 2018. Stall and feed bunk stocking rates impact cows’ diurnal behavior and activity in automatic milking systems. Journal of Veterinary Behavior. 24:48-55. doi:10.1016/j.jveb.2018.01.004 Scientific Presentations Adcock SJJ, Tucker CB. (2018) The effect of age on pain sensitivity during burn wound healing in dairy calves. Pain in Animals Workshop, Washington DC. Adcock SJJ, Tucker CB. (2018) Do dairy calves experience ongoing, non-evoked pain after disbudding? 52nd International Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology, Charlottetown, Canada. Ali ABA, Toscano MJ, Siegford JM. 2018. Enriching floor pens mitigates the effects of extended pullet housing on subsequent resource use and activity of individual laying hens in an aviary system. Proceedings of the 52nd Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology. 52:172. (oral presentation) Ali AB, Campbell DLM, Karcher DM, Siegford JM. 2018. Health, production, and resource use by laying hens in an aviary: A risk assessment. Poultry Science 97(E-Supplement 1):74. (oral presentation) Coffin, M.J., R. Manjarin, J.M. Mumm, E.M. Bortoluzzi, L.A. Ruiz, M. Tommerdahl, J.K. Holden, T. Walilko, L. Zai and L.E. Hulbert.  2018. Side Bias and Time of Day Influenced Cognition after Minipigs were Conditioned Using a Novel Tactile Stimulation Device. ASAS 2018 Midwest Meeting Abstract # 477:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/sky073.474"> doi.org/10.1093/jas/sky073.474</a> Dennis, R.L. 2018. Effects of UV light provision on broiler chickens’ feeding behavior, fear response and lighting preferences. International Production and Processing Expo, Atlanta, GA. January 2018. Dennis, R.L., Mengers, J. 2018. Early microbiomal programming of poultry behavior and well-being. Poultry Science Meeting. July 2018. Garcia, M., S. R. Montgomery, L. E. Hulbert, and B. J. Bradford. 2017. First-lactation performance of Holstein cows fed milk replacer or pasteurized or raw non-saleable milk as preweaning heifers. J. Dairy Sci. Vol. 100, Suppl. 2:305. Goering, M.J., J.M. Mumm, M.J. Coffin, E.M. Bortoluzzi, L.A. Ruiz, and L.E. Hulbert. Low-Stress Sampling and Cortisol Concentrations in Periparturient Sows. J. Anim. Sci. 96:<a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/sky073.474"> doi.org/10.1093/jas/sky073.474</a> Hernandez, G.V., R. Manjarín, Y. Luo, A.N. Schmitz, P.J. VandeVord, E.M. Fievisohn, and L.E. Hulbert. 2017. A Commercially-Available Activity Monitor Attached to the Ear Tag Detects Swine Oral-Nasal-Facial Behaviors. ASAS 2017 Midwest Meeting Abstract # 19970. MacLachlan SS, Ali AB, Toscano MJ, Siegford JM. 2018. Enriching floor pens mitigates effects of extended pullet housing on subsequent distribution of laying hens in an aviary.Proceedings of the 52nd Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology. 52:171. (oral presentation) MacLachlan SS, Ali ABA, Stratmann A, Toscano MJ, Siegford JM. 2018. Prevalence of keel bone damage in laying hens can be influenced by using ramps in pullet rearing and laying hen aviaries. Poultry Science 97(E-Supplement 1):45. (oral presentation) Mumm, J.M., E.M. Bortoluzzi, M.J. Coffin, L.A. Ruiz, M.J. Goering, D.T.  Medin, M.S. Rooda, and L.E. Hulbert. 2018. Sow behavior, heart rate, and cortisol responses to a novel piglet crushing prevention technology to reduce pre-weaning mortality. J Anim. Sci. Vol. 102, Suppl. 2 Mumm, J.M., M.J. Coffin, L.A. Ruiz, S.R. Greenway, M.J. Goering, L. Zai, T. Walilko, and L.E. Hulbert. Mature Minipigs Seek Novelty. J. Anim. Sci. 96: 8.<a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/sky073.013"> doi.org/10.1093/jas/sky073.013</a> Murillo, A., A. Abdoli, R. Blatchford, & A. Gerry. Using On-Animal Sensors to Assess Northern Fowl Mite Effects on Poultry Behavior and Welfare. Entomological Society of America Annual Meeting, Vancouver, Canada 11-14 November 2018. Norring M, Mintline EM, Tucker CB. (2018)The age of surgical castration affects the healing process in beef calves. Nordic regional meeting of the International Society for Applied Ethology, Helsinki, Finland. Pullin, A.N., M. Temple, D.C. Bennett, R.A. Blatchford and M.M. Makagon. 2018. The effect of rearing environment on laying hen keel bone impacts sustained in enriched colony cages. Presented at the Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology,  Prince Edward Island, Canada.Roche, L., Creamer, M., Horback, K., & Saitone, T. (2018) Optimizing Cattle Distribution: Effectiveness of Invasive and Noninvasive Management Strategies on Extensive Grazed Landscapes. CCA Schiller, K.M., Doyle, S., & Horback, K.M. (2018) Behavioral and Physiological Measurements of Stress in the Ewe. Poster presented at the Sheep Industry Innovators Conference, University of California, Davis. Schütz KE, Rajapaksha, E, Mintline EM, Cox NR, Tucker CB. (2018) Stepping behavior and muscle activity of dairy cattle standing on concrete or rubber flooring for 1 or 3 hours. 52nd International Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology, Charlottetown, Canada. Stratmann A, Guggisberg D, Siegford J, Toscano M. Accepted. Providing ramps during rearing improves bone strength in laying hen pullets. XV European Poultry Conference, Dubrovnik, Croatia, September 17-21, 2018. (oral presentation) Suarez-Mena, F.X.  T.S. Dennis, T.M. Hill, W. Hu, J.D. Quigley, R.L. Schlotterbeck, R. Klopp, G.J. Lascano, and L.E. Hulbert. 2018. Effect of milk replacer feeding program on calf performance and digestion. J. Dairy Sci. Abstract # T143. Suarez-Mena, F.X.  T.S. Dennis, T.M. Hill, W. Hu, J.D. Quigley, R.L. Schlotterbeck, R. Klopp, G.J. Lascano, and L.E. Hulbert. 2018. Effect of previous milk replacer feeding program on calf performance and digestion from 2 to 4 mo of age. J. Dairy Sci. Abstract# T144. Tracy, L., M. temple, D.C. Bennett, K. Sprayberry, M.M. Makagon and R.A. Blatchford. 2018. The reliability of palpation, x-ray, and ultrasound techniques for the detection of keel bone damage. Presented at the Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology, Prince Edward Island, Canada. Tucker CB. (2018) Contemporary issues in animal agriculture: Animal welfare. Invited talk at America Society of Animal Science conference, Vancouver, Canada. Tucker CB. (2018) Disbudding calves and training welfare auditors: updates from the UC Davis Center for Animal Welfare. Invited talk at Aarhus University, Foulum, Denmark. Tucker CB. (2018) Disbudding calves and training welfare auditors: updates from the UC Davis Center for Animal Welfare. Invited talk at AgResearch, Hamilton, New Zealand. Walilko, T., J. Bailes,  P. VanderVord, L. Hubert, L. Zai,  J. Duckworth. 2018. The Development of Risk Curves for Blast-Related Neurological Deficits. Military Health System Research Symposium MHSRS  18-1879: 87. Walilko, T., P. VandeVord, L.E. Hulbert, E. Fievisohn, L. Zai. 2017. Establishing a neurological injury threshold using a blast overpressure model in minipigs. Military Health System Research Symposium. (MSHSR) Outreach Abdelfattah, E., & Makagon, M.M. (2018) Duck welfare assessment: A comparison of methods. Presented at the Maple Leaf Farms, Inc. Annual Duck Research Workshop, Leesburg, IN Adcock SJJ, Tucker CB. (2018). The effect of disbudding age on healing and pain sensitivity in dairy calves. 2018 Dairy Cattle Welfare Symposium, Scottsdale, AZ. Adcock SJJ, Tucker CB, Mueller M, Van Eenennaam A. (2018). Animal welfare and dehorning dairy cattle: a gene editing solution. Picnic Day Public Event, Davis, CA. Adcock SJJ, Tucker CB. (2018) New research shows calves experience pain for 9 weeks after disbudding. Progressive Dairyman.<a href="https://www.progressivedairy.com/topics/calves-heifers/new-research-shows-calves-experience-pain-for-9-weeks-after-disbudding"> https://www.progressivedairy.com/topics/calves-heifers/new-research-shows-calves-experience-pain-for-9-weeks-after-disbudding</a> Makagon, M.M. (2018) Variations in the rearing environment and the relationship with keel bone damage. Presented at the COST KeelBoneDamage Management Committee and Research Coordination Meetings, Bratislava, Slovakia Pullin, A., Temple, M., Bennett, D.C., Blatchford, R.A., & Makagon, M.M. (2018) Impacts of rearing environment on laying hen bone impacts sustained in enriched cology cages. Presented at the Pacific Egg and Poultry Association Meeting, Napa, CA. Schiller, K.M., & Horback, K.M. (2018) Low stress handling & selection for good temperament can improve productivity and animal welfare. Presented at the Shepherd Skills Workshop Series; Preparing Sheep for Breeding, Auburn California. Schiller, K.M., & Horback, K.M. (2018) Tactics for Low Stress Handing in Livestock Species. Presented at the Shepherd Skills Workshop Series; Grazing School, Auburn California. Tucker CB. (2018). Animal welfare: beyond health and injury. Invited talk at the International Beef Cattle Welfare Symposium, Calgary, Canada. Tucker CB. (2018). Illness behavior and BRD. Invited talk at University of Calgary Veterinary Medicine Beef Cattle Conference, Calgary, Canada. Tucker CB, Walker J. (2018). Dairy Welfare Auditor Training. January 2018 PAACO Dairy Welfare Auditor Training, Escalon, CA. Tucker CB, Walker J. (2018). Dairy Welfare Auditor Training. October 2018 PAACO Dairy Welfare Auditor Training, Escalon, CA. Tucker CB, Mench JA. (2018) C-series Animal Welfare Training. June 2018 PAACO Corporate training for layers and dairy welfare, Hilmar, CA. Tucker CB. (2018). Costs and benefits of dairy cattle welfare for producers and society. Invited talk at 2018 Dairy Cattle Welfare Symposium, Scottsdale, AZ. Tucker CB, Drwencke AM. (2018) Judge and Jersey: the science of dairy cattle welfare. Daylong workshop for Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education, Davis, CA. Tucker CB. (2018) Animal welfare and society: market-driven change. Invited talk to Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association, Saskatoon, Canada. Tucker CB. (2018) Assessing and improving welfare in cow-calf systems. Invited talk to Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association, Saskatoon, Canada. Tucker CB. (2018) Pain sensitivity and healing of hot-iron brands in cattle. Invited talk to Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association, Saskatoon, Canada. Reports Croney C, Mench J, Muir W, Anthony R, Golab G, Hofacre C, Hulet M, Johnson AK, Lusk J, Olynk Widmar N, Schinkel A, Shearer J, Swanson J, Varner G, Vizzier Thaxton Y. 2018. Scientific ethical and economic aspects of farm animal welfare. CAST Report R143. Council for Agricultural Science and Technology, Ames, IA. Book Chapter Adcock SJ, Tucker CB, (2018) Painful procedures: when and what should we be measuring in cattle? Advances in Cattle Welfare. Tucker, CB, (ed), Elsevier, Duxford, UK. Horback K., Parsons T. (2018) Swine Life History. In: Vonk J., and Shackelford T. (eds) Encyclopedia of Animal Cognition and Behavior. Springer, Champange, IL Swanson JC, Chapin LT, Hankenson FC, 2018. Agricultural animals. In: Management of Animal Care and Use Programs in Research, Education, and Testing. 2nd  Edition. Eds: Weichbrod RH, Thompson GA, Norton JN. CRC Press, New York, NY. Books Advances in Cattle Welfare, (2018) Tucker, CB, (ed), Elsevier, Duxf

Impact Statements

Station researchers are developing and analyzing multiple non-invasive metrics for the assessment of animal and poultry well-being including multiple biochemical measures that can be analyzed from fecal, hair and behavioral measures.

Date of Annual Report: 10/01/2019

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 06/05/2019 - 06/07/2019
Period the Report Covers: 01/01/2018 - 12/31/2018

Participants

Washington State University
Auburn University
Colorado State University
Minnesota State University
Purdue University
Texas A&M University
Tarleton State University and Texas A&M AgriLife Research Stephenville
Michigan State University
University of California – Davis
Oregon State University
University of Wisconsin – Madison

Brief Summary of Minutes

Thursday June 6, 2019

8:00 Meet at MSU campus

9:00-12:00 W3173 reports

12:00-14:00 lunch at Rendezvous Dining Pavilion

14:00 – 16:30 NC1029 reports

Friday June 7, 2019

8:00 Meet at MSU campus

9:00-12:00 NC1029 reports

12:00-14:00 lunch with Dr. Paul Cross, USGS

14:00 – 16:30 W3173 reports

Saturday June 8, 2019

8:30 Meet at MSU campus

9:00 – 11:00 Selection of next year’s leadership team and meeting location

Accomplishments

The goal of the Washington State University station is to work directly with dairy industry stakeholders to identify and address dairy cattle well-being issues through applied research and Extension activities. Recent research has focused on determining: 1) how pest birds affect dairy cattle well-being; 2) which training methods for dairy cattle handling training are most effective at improving dairy employee knowledge retention and, ultimately, dairy cattle well-being; and 3) how behavioral changes can be used to identify hoof disorders in dairy cattle. Researchers at Auburn University are working in two main areas including poultry euthanasia and stunning. Projects include the assessment of euthanasia of large poultry utilizing mechanical, captive bolt, controlled atmosphere and electrical methods and the assessment of physiological responses to controlled atmosphere and electrical broiler stunning methods.                                          Researchers at Colorado State University initiated and completed live animal and cell culture experiments to help understand mineral homeostasis and interactions with immunity in beef cattle.  Researchers at Minnesota State University published scientific, peer-reviewed manuscripts - Robotic systems, calf welfare, sensor validation.  Completed general public survey data collection and analyses and completed calf feeding behavior data collection. Analysis not yet conducted.      Researchers at Purdue University published scientific peer-reviewed manuscripts and completed animal work of projects that are part of their efforts to develop novel behavioral and physiological indicators of animal welfare. Through the National Pork Board, the U.S. pork industry provides recommendations for humane handling tools and acceptable non-ambulatory pig handling. While these recommendations are useful, there is a lack of published evidence regarding humane handling tool options for moving non-ambulatory pigs. Wean-to-finish mats are commonly used on-farm to provide comfortable resting areas for newly weaned pigs and to minimize feed waste around feeders. A commercial wean-to-finish mat was modified, however the results from Iowa State University do not support this mat as an effective handling tool for moving non-ambulatory grow-finish pigs. MSU has contributed to Objectives 1 and 2 which overlaps with NE 1442 and with the new NCDC 235. Manuscripts are being prepared and submitted on the delayed placement of pullet project. Wrapping up work for the USDA funded project on social phenotype and genotype. Completed the 2nd collection of on-farm animal welfare assessment data at 10 sites in three SE states. Survey information cattle management collected by social science team is currently undergoing review and analysis. Development of a broader survey to adjacent SE states is in progress.     At UC-Davis, Our group aims to develop, refine and validate animal welfare assessment tools, and develop basic scientific knowledge to strengthen the basis of animal welfare assessments. Our objective is to develop novel behavioral, physiological, and cognitive indicators of animal welfare using advanced technology (e.g., wearable sensors) as well as innovative psychological experiments to infer an animal's affective state. Our team has published scientific, peer-reviewed manuscripts.  Completed animal work of projects and started analyses.  Presented at scientific and Industry Conferences.        Researchers at Oregon State University have the overall objective is to create, validate, and refine behavioral approaches for evaluating animal welfare, with an emphasis on evaluation of human-animal interactions and social enrichment. They have Published scientific, peer-reviewed manuscripts. While companion animals were used as a model, we are also utilizing this information to apply these methods to production animals including swine and sheep.  Continued collaboration and analysis on a project looking at the impact of socialization on swine cognition and welfare.  Taught courses focused on animal behavior and cognition & animal learning, covered a wide range of methods and welfare evaluation considerations and strategies    At the University of Wisconsin – Madison our group's work focuses on understanding dairy cattle behavior, including using behavioral indicators of animal welfare to bring a scientific basis to evaluating welfare on farm. A major mission of our research is to identify low-barrier solutions to improve welfare across a variety of dairy farm sizes, facility types, and management. Current research focuses on social housing of preweaned calves, enrichment for post-weaned heifers, and reducing feed competition for cattle of all ages.  Began animal work on 3 new projects.  Delivered extension presentations and publications.  Applied for and gained USDA Hatch funding for 2 projects.

Publications

<h1>Peer review articles</h1> Jacobs, L., D.V. Bourassa, C.E. Harris, R.J. Buhr. (2019). Euthanasia: Manual versus mechanical cervical dislocation for broilers. Animals 9:47 doi: 10.3390/ani9020047   Tolera, A. Nufeta, and T. Engle. 2018. Indigenous mineral supplements of livestock and farmers’ perception on the supplements in Wolaita Lowlands, Southern Ethiopia. Eth. J. Anim. Prod. 18:74-87.                                                             Carlson, J. C., R. S. Stahl, S. T. DeLiberto, J. J. Wagner, T. E. Engle, R. M. Engeman, C. S. Olson, J. W. Ellis, and S. J. Werner. 2018. Nutritional depletion of total mixed rations by European starlings: Projected effects of dairy cow performance and potential intervention strategies to mitigate damage. J. Dairy. Sci. 101: 1777-1784.                                                          Siewert, J.M., J.A. Salfer, and M.I. Endres. 2019. Milk yield and milking station visits of primiparous versus multiparous cows on automatic milking system farms in the Upper Midwest United States. J. Dairy Sci 102:3523–3530DOI: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2018-15382                                                                Pereira, G.M., B.J. Heins, and M.I. Endres. 2018. Technical note: Validation of an ear-tag accelerometer sensor to determine rumination, eating, and activity behaviors of grazing dairy cattle. J. Dairy Sci. 101: 2492-2495.                                                                   Medrano-Galarza, C., S.J. LeBlanc, T.J. DeVries, J. Rushen, M.I. Endres, and D.B. Haley. 2018. Associations between management practices and within-pen prevalence of calf diarrhea and respiratory disease on dairy farms using automated milk feeders. J. Dairy Sci. 101: 2293-2308                                                         Medrano-Galarza, C., S.J. LeBlanc, T.J. DeVries, J. Rushen, M.I. Endres, and D.B. Haley. 2018. Effect of age of introduction to an automated milk feeder on calf learning and performance and labor requirements. J. Dairy Sci. 101: 9371-9384                                                              Salfer, J. A., J.M. Siewert, and M.I. Endres. 2018. Housing, management characteristics, and factors associated with lameness, hock lesion, and hygiene of lactating dairy cattle on Upper Midwest United States dairy farms using automatic milking systems. J. Dairy Sci. 101: 8586-8594                     Stevenson, R., H.A. Dalton and M. Erasmus. 2018. Validity of micro-data loggers to determine walking activity of turkeys and effects on turkey gait. Frontiers Vet. Sci. Anim. Behav. Welfare. Jan 31;5:319                                                 Robbins, L., A. Green-Miller, J. Johnson, and B. Gaskill. "230 Assessing Thermal Preference of Piglets Exposed to Early Life Thermal Stress." Journal of Animal Science 96, no. suppl_3 (2018): 9-10.                                                                                                                                         Akin, E. E., A. K. Johnson, J. W. Ross, S. T. Millman, C. D. Jass, J. P Stinn, and K. J. Stalder. 2019. Is the modified wean-to-finish mat a useful handling tool to move grow-finish pig cadavers on a commercial farm? Accepted to the Journal of Swine Health and Production. May 2019.  Ali, A., D. Campbell, D. M. Karcher, and J. M. Siegford. 2019. Daytime occupancy of resources and flooring types by 4 laying hen strains in a commercial style aviary. J. Vet. Behav. 31:59-66. doi:10.1016/j.jveb.2019.03.010                                                     Ali, A. B., D. Campbell, D. M. Karcher, and J. M. Siegford. 2019. Nighttime roosting substrate type and height among four strains of laying hens in an aviary system. Poult. Sci. 98:1936-1946. doi:10.3382/ps/pey574                                                  Wurtz, K. E., J. M. Siegford, C. W. Ernst, N. E. Raney, R. O. Bates, and J. P. Steibel. 2018. Genome-wide association analyses of lesion counts in group-housed pigs. Anim. Genet. 49: 628-631. doi:10.1111/age.12713                                              Jimenez, R. E., S. J. J. Adcock, and C. B. Tucker. 2019. Acute pain responses in dairy calves undergoing cornual nerve blocks with or without topical anesthetic. J. Dairy Sci. 102:3431-3438.                                      Edwards-Callaway, L. N., J. Walker, and C. B. Tucker. 2019. Culling decisions and dairy cattle welfare during transport to slaughter in the United States. Front. Vet. Sci. 5:1-5.                                                    "Sirovica, L., Creamer, M., & Horback, K. 2019. Preference for and behavioural response to environmental enrichment in a small population of sexually mature, commercial boars. Animal Welfare (28) 271-278."                                                            Horback, K. M., & Parsons, T. D. (2019). Judgement bias testing in group-housed gestating sows. Behavioural processes, 159, 86-92.    Vitale, KR, and Udell, M.A.R. (2019). The quality of being sociable: The influence of human attentional state, population, and human familiarity on domestic cat sociability. Behavioral Processes. 158: 11-17.  Kirchoff, N.S., Udell, M.A.R., Sharpton, T. J. (2019). The gut microbiome correlates with conspecific aggression in a small population of rescued dogs (Canis familiaris). Peer J. 7: e6103.                                          Brubaker, L., Udell, M. A. R. (2018).  The Effects of Past Training, Experience, And Human Behaviour On A Dog’s Persistence at an Independent Task. Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 204: 101-107.                      Krause, M. A. Udell, M. A. R., Leavens, D. A., Skopos, L. (2018). Animal Pointing: Changing Trends and Findings from 30 Years of Research. Journal of Comparative Psychology, 132(3), 326-345.                  <h1>Outreach</h1> Caskin, T., K. Cirillo, and A. Adams-Progar. 2018. Physical management of pest birds in agricultural settings. WSU Extension.           Adams Progar, A. 2018. Pest birds cause real problems on dairies. Progressive Dairyman magazine.            Adams Progar, A. 2018. Do hoof lesions affect heat detection? Hoard's Dairyman magazine.          Adams Progar, A. 2018. New hoof health research reveals cows with hoof lesions spend less time eating. Progressive Dairyman.           Adams Progar, A. 2018. Top ten tips: what we learned about pest birds on Washington dairies. WSU Dairy News. Endres, Marcia and Karen Schwartzkopf-Genswein. 2018. Overview of cattle production systems. Pg 1-26 In: Advances in Cattle Welfare, C. Tucker, ed, Woodhead Publ., Elsevier, Doxford, UK   Erasmus, M. 2018. Animal well-being: horses. Purdue University Extension Publication AS-648-W. http://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/AS/AS-648-W.pdf Erasmus, M. 2018. Animal well-being: poultry. Purdue University Extension Publication AS-645-W. http://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/AS/AS-645-W.PDF.              Erasmus, M. 2018. Animal well-being: cattle. Purdue University Extension Publication AS-664-W. http://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/AS/AS-664-W.pdf Weimer, S., D. Karcher and M. Erasmus. 2018. Farm animal welfare: audits and certification programs. Purdue University Extension Publication AS-639-W. https://mdc.itap.purdue.edu/newsearch.asp               Akin, E., J. Ross, K. Stalder, S. Millman, C. Jass, J. Stinn, and A. Johnson. 2019. Movement ease for grow-finish pig cadavers’ on-farm using a sked, deer sled and modified deer sled. Accepted May 2019.  Akin, E., J. Ross, K. Stalder, S. Millman, C. Jass, J. Stinn, and A. Johnson. 2019. Employee survey to determine movement ease for grow-finish pig cadavers’ on-farm using a sked, deer sled and modified deer sled. Accepted May 2019. Tucker, C.B. 2019. The nuts and bolts of dairy welfare programs. Progressive Dairyman. 4:38-39   Adockck, S.J.J., Tucker, C.B. 2018. New research shows calves experience pain for 9 weeks after disbudding. Progressive Dairyman 5:58-59. Van Os, J.M.C. (2019). Animal care includes providing dairy cattle with opportunities for important behaviors. Progressive Dairyman.   <h1>Reports</h1> Croney, C, J. Mench and W. Muir (Co-chairs).  2018.  Scientific, Ethical and Economic Aspects of Farm Animal Welfare.  Task Force Report No. 143.  Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST).  Ames, IA.     <h1>Book Chapters</h1> An overview of the segments of the beef cattle industry and animal welfare implications of been industry practices. 2018. Ahola, J. K., J. J. Wagner, and T. E. Engle. In: The Welfare of Cattle. Eds. T. E. Engle, D. J. Klingborg, and B. E. Rollin. CRC Press Boca Raton, FL. USA. Pp.173-179. (ISBN 978-1-138-19706-0).       <h1>Books</h1> N/A

Impact Statements

Objective 1: Automated measurement of animal responses Researchers at Washington State University presented pest bird management project data to 70 dairy, beef, and crop producers across the Pacific Northwest. Offered dairy safety training to over 200 dairy employees. Completed data collection for a two-year-long research study on behavioral patterns in cows with hoof disorders. Dairy producers reported an up to 40% adoption rate of management practices to improve dairy cattle well-being. Two graduate and six undergraduate students gained training in dairy cattle behavior and well-being. Collaborations were established among land-grant universities, non-land-grant universities, dairy producers, and dairy processors to develop and implement dairy employee training aimed at reducing employee and dairy cattle injuries. Researchers at Minnesota State University are conducting research on the use of technology, such as feeding behavior collected by autofeeders, as an early detection for calf diseases. In addition, we validate behaviors collected by an accelerometer sensor in grazing dairy cows. Technology such as autofeeders, sensors and robotic milking systems can help farmers better manage their animals and reduce the incidence of more severe disease or mortality. Our research is helping define how these technologies can be better utilized to improve animal welfare. Researchers at Tarleton State University and Texas A&M AgriLife Research Stephenville evaluated dairy systems management – cow comfort with regards to housing and heat stress, precision dairy monitoring technologies focusing on disease detection and cow comfort evaluation, lameness – especially detection and digital dermatitis prevention Michigan State University: Objective 1: Siegford wrapped up work on the effects of delayed placement of pullets into aviary with University of Bern and completed a project on how swine social behavior phenotypes relate to underlying genotypes and production traits. Objective 2: On-farm welfare assessment Researchers at Minnesota State University conducted a survey of public perceptions of calf welfare and housing. The latter study can be used to develop benchmarks for animal welfare audits and assessments that meet public expectations. Reported benchmark data on lameness and hock lesions for dairy catltle housed in robotic milking farms. Researchers at Iowa State University have identified that this modified wean-to-finish mat is not a suitable handling tool to move non-ambulatory pigs on farm. This mat was not suitable for manually moving non-ambulatory grow-finish pigs. Further mat modifications could improve ease of movement and positioning to keep the pig secured. Research at Texas A&M University focused on cattle and poultry stress and welfare.  Including heat stress mitigation via nutrition, euthanasia methods in neonatal and market age birds (chicken, ducks, turkeys), effect of lighting on poultry, enrichment of poultry to improve welfare, improving gut health to improve welfare, improving nutrient utilization to improve welfare. Research at was also conducted on feedlot cattle welfare and the human-animal interaction. Including mixing strategies in heifers and steers, impact of handling frequency on behavior and productivity, relationship between rumination, feeding behavior, and non-nutritive oral behaviors, impact of environmental enrichment on behavior and productivity of feedlot steers, exercise in receiving calves, and pen rider attitudes and perceptions. Michigan State University: Objective 2:Swanson Co-PI on the on-farm cattle welfare portion of an Adaptive Multi-Paddock Grazing project. Data collection completed May 2019 survey portion is on-going. Siegford has an additional poultry and swine project in progress. We are gaining insight into the differences in cattle and pasture management between adaptive multi-paddock grazers versus continuous grazers. Also identifying common high risk behaviors of managers and herd health and welfare management. These multistate efforts added to our knowledge about how both manual and automated behavioral measures can be used as sensitive toolsets for making semi-real time decisions for animal management and welfare. Our multistate efforts have added to our knowledge of 1) measuring impacts of proposed environmental enrichments on broiler welfare, 2) impacts of rearing on health and welfare of hens in their adult environments, and 3) on-farm assessment of commercial ducks. Research from Oregon State University added to our knowledge about how human-animal interactions can be better quantified and how they relate to social, cognitive and welfare outcomes across multiple species in ways that can be used to repurpose or serve as novel tools and measures for welfare analysis. These multistate efforts extended to producers and the dairy industry information about the growing body of literature on the performance and welfare benefits of socially rearing preweaned dairy calves and the importance of appropriate outlets for highly motivated behaviors (e.g., grooming).

Date of Annual Report: 11/16/2020

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 09/14/2020 - 09/14/2020
Period the Report Covers: 10/01/2019 - 09/01/2020