Shared stressful experiences affect social proximity in Merino sheep.

While it is well established that humans develop stronger relationship bonds when they share stressful experiences, there is little known on how shared stressful experiences may influence relationship bonding in animals. Here, we present a study looking at social proximity between individuals in small groups of Merino ewes following a shared stressful experience compared with control sheep that were not exposed to stress. Some sheep were familiar to each other.

Validation of Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) Devices on Sheep to Detect Grazing Movement Leaders and Social Networks in Merino Ewes.

Understanding social behaviour in livestock groups requires accurate geo-spatial localisation data over time which is difficult to obtain in the field. Automated on-animal devices may provide a solution. This study introduced an Real-Time-Kinematic Global Navigation Satellite System (RTK-GNSS) localisation device (RTK rover) based on an RTK module manufactured by the company u-blox (Thalwil, Switzerland) that was assembled in a box and harnessed to sheep backs.

The Influence of Predictability and Controllability on Stress Responses to the Aversive Component of a Virtual Fence.

To ensure animal welfare is not compromised, virtual fencing must be predictable and controllable, and this is achieved through associative learning. To assess the influence of predictability and controllability on physiological and behavioral responses to the aversive component of a virtual fence, two methods of training animals were compared. In the first method, positive punishment training involved sheep learning that after an audio stimulus, an electrical stimulus would follow only when they did not respond by stopping or turning at the virtual fence (predictable controllability).

Virtual Fence Responses Are Socially Facilitated in Beef Cattle.

Group-living can be socially advantageous where the behavior of individuals may be modified by group members through socially facilitative processes. Virtual fencing contains cattle by providing audio and electrical signals via a neckband device. However, little is known about social influences on learning to appropriately respond to the virtual fence (VF) cues.

Farm and cow factors and their interactions on the incidence of retained placenta in holstein dairy cows.

Risk factors for retained placenta (RP), as a common and economically important disorder, have been widely investigated. However, comprehensive studies are rare. Therefore, this study sought to identify herd-cow factors and their interactions on the risk of RP in Iranian dairy herds.

Effect of abortion on milk production, health, and reproductive performance of Holstein dairy cattle.

The objective of this study was to identify the effect of abortion on performance of Iranian Holstein cows that calved between 2005-2014. Abortion records were categorized in two groups: 1) new abortion (NLA), and 2) rebreeding abortion (RA). Production data (305-d milk, fat, and protein yields) were analyzed using PROC MIXED, number of inseminations per lactation period (INS), postpartum health disorders (PPHD), and culling records using PROC GLIMMIX, and calving to conception records using PROC PHREG of SAS software (SAS Institute, 2013).

Virtual Fencing Is Comparable to Electric Tape Fencing for Cattle Behavior and Welfare.

Virtual fencing technology restricts animal movement via communicated signals without physical boundaries. Specifically, the eShepherd™ automated virtual fencing system operates via GPS technology and provides stimuli via a neckband device. An audio warning tone is emitted at the virtual boundary which is followed by an electrical pulse if the animal continues moving forward.

Machine learning algorithms, bull genetic information, and imbalanced datasets used in abortion incidence prediction models for Iranian Holstein dairy cattle.

The ability to predict abortion incidence, especially in regions with high abortion rates (e.g., Iran), helps improve reproductive performance and, thereby, dairy farm profitability.