Browsing by Author "Macavoray, Abu"

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    On-Farm Water Use Efficiency: Impact of Sprinkler Cycle and Flow Rate to Cool Holstein Cows during Semi-Arid Summer
    (Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, 2023-02-18) Macavoray, Abu
    Sprinkler cooling is a common heat abatement method in dairy cows and uses huge quantities of groundwater. Sprinkler flow rate and timing affect cow cooling and water use efficiency, but little is known about how these strategies may influence dairy cow performance under heat stress conditions in Pakistan. The objective of this study was to evaluate the cooling efficiency of different sprinkler cycles and flow rates in Holstein Friesian cows under semi-arid summer conditions in Pakistan. Thirty (30) lactating cows were subjected to 2 sprinkler flow rates and 3 sprinkler cycle strategies in a crossover design. Flow rates were 1.25 and 2 L/min, and the sprinkler cycles (water on\|off) were: 3 min on\|3 min off, 3 on\|6 off, and 3 on\|9 off. Results showed that the 1.25 L/min flow rate had a similar performance to the 2.0 L/min group in terms of milk yield and behavior, despite using 37.2% less water. The respiration rate was lowest in the 3\|3 sprinkler cycle (SC) group, followed by the 3\|6 and the 3\|9 SC groups, respectively. Milk yield in the 3\|3 group was 2 kg/d higher than the 3\|9 group. In conclusion, these findings suggest that the 3\|3 sprinkler cycle and 1.25 L/min flow rate may be a more efficient option in terms of water use while maintaining cow performance in semi-arid heat stress conditions.
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    Sustainable Management of Dairy Cows in Semi-Arid Summers: Additional Early Nighttime Sprinkler Cooling for Heat Stress Mitigation
    (Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, 2023-07-28) Macavoray, Abu
    This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different cooling sessions on the performance and welfare of Holstein Friesian cows during the semi-arid summer in Pakistan. Sixteen lactating cows were randomly assigned to two treatment groups: (1) five cooling sessions per day (5CS) and (2) eight cooling sessions (8CS), with two sessions during early nighttime and one in the early morning. Each sprinkler cooling session lasted 1 hour. The trial was conducted over a period of 8 weeks during August and September of 2021. The results showed that cows in the 8CS group produced an average of 2.9 kg/d more milk than those in the 5CS group. Additionally, the respiration rate and total feeding time of cows in the 8CS group was significantly lower than that of the 5CS group. Moreover, the core body temperature of cows was not significantly influenced by addition of extra cooling sessions. In conclusion, the results suggest that the addition of cooling sessions in the early nighttime had a positive effect on milk yield and welfare in Holstein cows during the semi-arid summer season. These findings could have significant implications for the management of dairy cows in similar climatic conditions.