Effects of body covers on milk production by cows during winter, and
on oxygen consumption by young calves
C.W. Holmes, F. Cayzer, W.J. Parker
Department of Animal Science, Massey University, Palmerston North,
New Zealand
Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production. 1993,
53: 65-68
Two experiments were carried out to measure the effects of fitting
polyethylene body covers on the winter milk production of mature cows, and
oxygen consumption by calves. In the first experiment, the covers had no
significant effects on the winter milk production or liveweight of lactating
cows grazing on pasture supplemented with silage. In the second experiment,
oxygen consumption by young calves exposed to an air temperature of 9 C, 8
km/hour wind and simulated rain was significantly reduced by the wearing of
covers (by 40% during the period of rain). Covers offer an effective, low-
cost method for reducing the adverse effect of cold wet weather on young
calves reared out-of-doors.
Keywords: NZSAPAB;
Body covers; lactating cows; calves; calorimeter.
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Last Updated 25-01-1997
