Effect of Automatic Feeding System (AFS) on Dairy Cows Feeding Activity

Supplying a total mixed ration (TMR) to dairy cows with a higher frequency is a key factor to have more distributed visits to the feeding fence over 24 h and longer feeding times. All this optimizes dry matter ingestion and stabilize the ruminal pH with positive effects on cows’ health and milk production. A CMOS monochromatic camera was used to monitor the effect of TMR distribution and push-up operated by an AFS on dairy cows’ attendance of feeding alleys. The study was carried out in a dairy farm of Lombardy (Northern Italy) with 121 lactating cows divided into two groups (A and B) and milked by two milking robots. Groups A and B consisted respectively of 58 and 63 animals with respectively 63 and 69 feeding places (feeding alleys 1 and 2). The camera was conveniently placed to frame the two feeding alleys and a software tool written in Matlab controlled its settings (interval shooting, exposure time, gain). Images were acquired at 5 min interval from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. for ten consecutive days in January 2019 and the feeding place index (FPI), obtained by comparing the feeding cows to the feeding places, was calculated at the same interval. Significant differences between FPI means calculated at each TMR distribution and push-up were tested by analysing the variances. Results showed that TMR distributions determine significant higher (P < 0.01) FPI compared to TMR push-up (0.46 vs. 0.26). FPI increased up to 0.54 and 0.51 respectively after 15 and 30 min TMR distributions, even if the differences were not significant. On the contrary, FPI reduced significantly (P < 0.01) to 0.19 after 30 min TMR push-up. These results confirm the feeding activity of dairy cows may be influenced by TMR distributions and push-up operated by AFS.