Body condition as an indicator of cow welfare

Authors

  • Miroslav Lalović Faculty of Agriculture, University of East Sarajevo, Vuka Karadžića 30, East Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Tatjana Krajišnik Faculty of Agriculture, University of East Sarajevo, Vuka Karadžića 30, East Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Nikolina Mašić Faculty of Agriculture, University of East Sarajevo, Vuka Karadžića 30, East Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5937/

Keywords:

body condition, welfare of cows, Simmental breed, Holstein-Friesian breed

Abstract

The main objective of this research  was to determine the quality level of welfare of milk cows at various stages of lactation (the first 60 days of the lactation period and the dry period) and of different breeds (Holstein-Friesian and Simmental) on farms (A, B, C, D) with different systems of housing (free and  tie-stall), based on nutritional status as a direct individual indicator of wellbeing. Results showed that the body condition scores of cows were statistically very highly significantly (p<0.001) influenced by breed, production stage and  the breed x production  stage interaction; statistically highly significantly (p<0.01) by the breed x housing system interaction, and significantly (p<0.05) by the housing system x production stage interaction. 

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Published

06.02.2026

Issue

Vol. 25 No. 50 (2020)

Section

Articles