HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Gorewit, R. C. Articles by Zhao, X. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Gorewit, R. C. Articles by Zhao, X.

AC Voltages on Water Bowls: Effects on Lactating Holsteins

Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853

ABSTRACT

Water intake, milk yield, feed consumption, and milk composition of lactating cows were monitored before, during, and after 21-d exposures to voltage. Fifteen first parity and 15 multiparous cows were divided equally among five treatments (0, .5, 1, 2, and 4 V) in which voltages were applied continuously between water bowls and metal floor mats. Initial application of voltage caused delays in drinking, which increased with voltage. Two animals receiving 4 V did not drink for 36 h, at which time their voltages were disconnected. All other animals drank within 36 h and showed no significant long-term difference in the monitored parameters. Drinking behavior in the presence of voltage was investigated further by exposing 44 first parity and 40 multiparous cows to voltage (3, 4, 5, or 6 V) for 2 d. Four first parity cows receiving 5 or 6 V did not drink for 36 h while all other animals did. Delays in resumption of drinking increased with voltage. In total, all 42 animals exposed to 3 V or less adapted within 36 h, as did 60 of the 66 Holsteins (91%) exposed to 4 to 6 V. Adaptation may have been enhanced by the continuous presence of the voltages.

¹ Department of Animal Science.

² Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering.