Avoidance-related behavioural variables and their relationship to milk yield in pasture-based dairy cows

The behavioural responses of Jersey, Friesland and crossbred cows to humans were determined by recording their avoidance distance scores (AD), exit speed (ES), pen score (PS), pen behaviour score (PBS), platform score (PLS), and the occurrence of kicking (KCK) and stepping (SPG) during milking in four different seasons (hot-wet, hot-dry, cool-dry and post rainy seasons). The Friesland had the lowest AD scores (P < 0.05) and the Jersey had the highest AD scores in all seasons. There was an association (P < 0.05) between genotype and ES, PS and stepping behaviour scores. The Friesland exhibited the highest ES scores and the Jersey showed the lowest ES scores. The Jersey had the lowest kicking behaviour scores, while the Friesland had the highest kicking behaviour scores. Daily milk yield varied (P < 0.05) with genotype with the Friesland and Jersey producing higher yields than the crosses. The highest amount was produced in the hot-dry and the least in hot-wet season. There was a relationship (r = -0.64) between AD scores and exit speed. Exit speed was also correlated with pen score (r = 0.23). There was a significant relationship between the occurrence of kicking and milk yield (r = 0.17). Levels of sensitivity to season and milk yield was influenced by genotype and season. There was a relationship between the milk yield and PS and the occurrence of kicking behaviour. Although the correlations were significant. most were below 0.4 and their interpretation should be treated with caution. It is however, concluded that avoidance-related behavioural responses in dairy cows depend on genotype and affects milk yield. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.