Understanding Cow Behavior from a Nutritional Perspective

Changes in feed intake must ultimately be mediated by changes in feeding behavior. It follows, therefore, that increased understanding of dairy cow behavior should allow us to manage and house lactating dairy cows so that they can maximize their dry matter intake (DMI) and the potential of the ration provided. Our research has shown that dairy cows respond strongly to the delivery of fresh feed and that changing the time of feed delivery changes peak activity at the feed bunk. We have also shown that feed bunk push-ups are important for keeping feed in front of cows but have little effect on stimulating feeding activity. Increasing the frequency of feed delivery, however, does result in greater access to the feed bunk and less feed sorting. The provision of increased bunk space per cow, particularly when combined with feed stalls, results in fewer aggressive interactions and increases access to feed, particularly for subordinate cows. Increased competition at the feed bunk promotes feeding behavior patterns that result in some cows having access to the bunk after feed sorting has occurred, increasing the between-cow variation in diet consumed. Using this knowledge of how dairy cows respond to their feeding management and environment, we can design and manage our feeding systems to allow for improved cow health, production, and welfare