On-farm milk flow meter technology facilitates real-time assessment of individual cow milking observations and could be used to detect milking liner slips during machine milking of dairy cows. Here, ...we compared the accuracy of on-farm milk flow meters for detecting milking liner slips with that of audible detection and that of a portable vacuum recording system. Compared to audible detection methods, the on-farm milk flow meter facilitated the detection of milking liner slips with moderate accuracy. Using the vacuum recording system as the gold standard, the milk flow meter system failed to detect most of the liner slips, leading to poor agreement between the two devices. We conclude that the on-farm milk flow meter system tested here compared well with audible detection; however, when vacuum recordings were considered, we found significant levels of under-detection. Taken together, dairy operators may use the on-farm milk flow meter system to inform adjustments of the milking machine settings and monitor milking routine performance. However, the system is not suitable for monitoring short-duration vacuum fluctuations. Future research is warranted to optimize the sensor-based detection of milking liner slips.
Science has a history of excluding marginalized groups, including people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, and other marginalized gender and sexual identities (LGBTQ+), and recent calls ...urge the wildlife sciences to address disparities. Literature on inclusion in the life sciences generally has focused on personal affirmation and has neglected comprehensive discussion of barriers rooted in historical, structural, and sociocultural context. In our literature review, we construct a narrative highlighting the intersections between historic LGBTQ+ exclusion in society and wildlife science due to current policy trends, pressures of cis‐heteronormativity, and survival barriers on LGBTQ+ people in wildlife sciences in the United States. Wildlife scientists must have competency on LGBTQ+ marginalization topics to advance inclusion in our discipline, and this should include comprehension of historic and current legislation and social perceptions. To bolster inclusion efforts, we recommend thoughtful data collection on experiences of LGBTQ+ people within the wildlife sciences. To address root causes of exclusion, institutions and organizations should address disparities in financial support, housing, and physical and mental health resources as part of LGBTQ+ advocacy, in addition to interpersonal efforts.
LGBTQ+ inclusion in wildlife sciences requires understanding history and ongoing systemic and social barriers. With the growth of recommendations, it's important to have perspective and consider broad‐scale need past individual actions. Through examining history, survival needs, and necessary context for wildlife research, this paper provides a launchpad for adaptive policy and targeted advocacy.
The primary objective was to investigate the association between delayed milk ejection (DME) and the average milk flow rate, milking unit-on time, and duration in a low milk flow rate in Holstein ...dairy cows in a large dairy herd with suboptimal premilking teat stimulation. Our second objective was to study the association between peak lactation milk yield and the occurrence of DME. This longitudinal field study was conducted at a 4300-cow dairy farm with a thrice-daily milking schedule over a 1-week period. We analyzed data from 61,677 cow milking observations from 2937 cows. Delayed milk ejection was defined as present if the 30–60 s milk flow rate was ≤3.1 kg/min. The mean average milk flow rate (MAMF, kg/min), mean milking unit-on time (MMUT, s), and mean duration of a low milk flow rate (MLMF, s) were calculated as the mean values from the 21 milking observations. General linear multivariable models revealed associations of DME with MAMF, MMUT, and MLMF. A multivariable ordinal logistic regression model revealed an association between peak lactation milk yield and DME. Cows with lower peak lactation milk yield had greater odds of exhibiting a higher frequency level of DME. The observed associations between DME and milking performance indices suggest that DME can negatively affect milking and parlor efficiency. Peak lactation milk yield may serve as a proxy to estimate cows’ risk of recurrent DME. Future research is warranted to test if alleviating DME through, for example, a modified milking routine influences the milking performance indices described herein.
Our objectives were to determine the effect of oxytocin use during colostrum harvest on colostrum yield (CY) and IgG concentration in Holstein dairy cows on a commercial dairy in New York and to ...describe associations of cow characteristics with these outcomes. Animals were enrolled between July and October 2023 using a randomized block design, with day of enrollment as the unit of randomization. A median (range) of 10 (3 to 19) cows were enrolled/d. Treatments were 1) 40 IU Oxytocin (OXY40), 2) 20 IU Oxytocin (OXY20), and 3) an untreated control group (CNTR). Oxytocin was administered intramuscularly (IM) approximately 45 s before unit attachment in a rotary parlor. Colostrum weight was measured using the colostrum bucket-embedded scale or a platform scale when the yield was less than the smallest bucket scale. The concentration of IgG (IgG) in colostrum was determined using radial immunodiffusion (RID) and used to calculate total IgG, and dry matter (%) was determined by oven drying. Individual cow characteristics such as parity, calf sex, weight, dystocia score, stillbirth, milk production in wk 4 of lactation, and for multiparous cows, dry period length, previous lactation dry off linear score (LS) were collected. Data were analyzed separately for primiparous and multiparous cows using backward stepwise elimination to produce final mixed effects ANOVA models Primiparous cows (n = 201) were randomized to 35.8% (n = 72) OXY40, 32.8% (n = 66) OXY20, and 31.3% (n = 63) CNTR. Multiparous groups (n = 435) were randomized to 34.7% (n = 151) OXY40, 29.7% (n = 129) OXY20, and 35.6% (n = 155) CNTR. The median (range) CY was 6.0 (0 to 20.6) kg and IgG was 98.5 (0.1 to 293.6) g/L in the study population. In primiparous cows, OXY40 had a higher colostrum yield (LSM 95% CI) of 5.4 (4.9 to 5.9) kg compared with both OXY20 (4.1 3.5 to 4.7 kg) and CNTR (3.8 3.3 to 4.3 kg) (P < 0.001). In multiparous cows, OXY40, OXY20, and CTNR did not differ in CY (5.9 5.3 to 6.5, 5.7 6.3 to 5.1, and 5.4 6.0 to 4.8 kg, respectively, P = 0.43), but colostrum yield was greater in parity 2 compared with all other parities, cows giving birth to male calves, cows with the highest milk production at wk 4 of lactation, and with a dry period of >65 d. Oxytocin use did not affect IgG in either primiparous or multiparous cows (P > 0.56), but IgG was highest in cows in parity ≥4 and lowest in cows dry >65 d. In summary, oxytocin use at 40 IU IM in primiparous was associated with a higher CY but not IgG. Oxytocin use likely addressed disturbed milk ejection and therefore increased CY in heifers milked for the first time in a rotary parlor. This study confirms cow characteristics associated with colostrum production within a single herd.
LGBTQ+ individuals face unique barriers to participation in ecology. Such barriers are particularly relevant during fieldwork, including physical and discriminatory risks, increased isolation and ...noninclusive infrastructure.
To make science and fieldwork more accessible to LGBTQ+ people, we must consider safety and survival needs along with personal LGBTQ+ affirmation. In this paper, we discuss alleviating barriers to participation in field ecology, identify best practices for institutions and provide advice for LGBTQ+ field researchers and heterosexual advocates.
Synthesis and applications. We recommend that mentors and institutions take action on the safety, financial, medical and administrative support needed by field researchers who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer or other marginalized gender and sexual identities (LGBTQ+) field researchers. We also suggest that LGBTQ+ field ecologists prioritize their wellbeing and safety, and recommend maintaining connection to LGBTQ+ communities and identities during isolating fieldwork.
We recommend that mentors and institutions take action on the safety, financial, medical and administrative support needed by field researchers who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer or other marginalized gender and sexual identities (LGBTQ+) field researchers. We also suggest that LGBTQ+ field ecologists prioritize their wellbeing and safety, and recommend maintaining connection to LGBTQ+ communities and identities during isolating fieldwork.
