Behaviour of Aubrac Cows at Pasture in Relation to Parity, Temperature, and Precipitation Monitored with a Sensor System
Keywords:
parity, temperature, behaviour, precipitation, sensor systemAbstract
Cattle behaviour is strongly influenced by physiological status and environmental conditions, particularly ambient temperature, while precipitation has received less attention in pasture-based systems. This study investigated parity-dependent behavioural responses of grazing Aubrac cows to ambient temperature and precipitation using an ear-tag sensor monitoring system. A total of 26 cows were monitored from May to August 2025 with the DataMars system, recording feeding, ruminating, standing, and resting times. Cows were grouped by parity (0, 1, 2), and behavioural data were expressed as average hourly durations per day. Ambient temperature and precipitation data were obtained from a local meteorological station. Days were classified as thermoneutral (< 20 °C) or warm (≥ 20 °C), based on literature. Parity significantly influenced all behavioural traits, with small effects on feeding and standing and moderate effects on ruminating and resting. Higher temperatures were associated with reduced feeding and ruminating, increased standing, and decreased resting across parity groups. Precipitation showed no detectable effect on feeding, but correlated with longer ruminating and resting and shorter standing, particularly on warm days. These effects were generally small to moderate and largely absent under cooler conditions. The results indicate that ambient temperature is the primary environmental driver of behavioural change in grazing Aubrac cows, while precipitation acts as a secondary modifier during warm periods. Behavioural indicators such as rumination, resting, and standing are sensitive to weather-related strain and may provide valuable tools for welfare monitoring in pasture-based cattle system
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