Estimation of body weight and body condition score in dairy cows by digital image analysis method

Authors : Mehmet KAYA, Hüsnü Erbay BARDAKÇIOĞLU

Pages : 115-121

Doi:10.24880/maeuvfd.963188

View : 43 | Download : 21

Publication Date : 2021-12-31

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :In this study the body weight insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(BW); and body condition score insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(BCS); of lactating cows was estimated by using conventional insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(CM); the digital image analysis methods insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(DIAM);. BCS is an important factor to facilitate different practices of management in dairy cattle. A total of 204 Holstein cows live images were taken by remote shutter camera. Six body measurements such as heart girth insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(HG);, wither height insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(WH);, hip height insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(HH);, body length insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(BL);, front hip-width insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(FHW);, and back hip-width insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(BHW); were used for the assessment of BW and BCS by CM and DIAM. The estimation of CBW using HG, FHW, and BL variables was effective insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(R2 = 0.75);. However, all the body measurements were ineffective for body condition score by measurements insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(MBCS);, insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(R2 = 0.06, conventional); and DBCS insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(R2 = 0.05, digital); estimation. The measurements of WH, HG, FHW, BHW, and BL were precise in DBW estimation insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(R2 = 0.77);. No significant differences were found across the assessment methods insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(CM, DIAM); for body measurements. The intra-class reliability coefficient insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(ICC); of conventional and digital insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(MBW, DBW); measurements was “good” and “excellent” between conventional and digital estimations. This study indicates that DIAM is a reliable method for determining DBW and MBW, and can be interchanged effectively with CM.
Keywords : Body condition score, Body weight, Conventional method, Digital image analysis method, Holstein

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