@conference {3672,
	title = {Random regression curves for body condition score and live weight from cows in two different dairy systems over three seasons},
	booktitle = {Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production},
	volume = {77},
	year = {2017},
	month = {06/2017},
	pages = {72-76},
	address = {Rotorua},
	abstract = {As housing is adopted to minimise the environmental impacts of farming activities in New Zealand, it becomes important to investigate the impact of this on the body condition of cows as a predictor of animal welfare. The P21 project undertaken at Massey University{\textquoteright}s Dairy 4 recorded the body condition score (BCS) and live weight (LW) of cows either under duration-controlled grazing during sensitive periods ({\textquoteleft}housed{\textquoteright}) or standard feed-pad ({\textquoteleft}standard{\textquoteright}) system. A total of 10,350 BCS records and 10,950 LW records were available from 978 cows over three dairy seasons (2013-14 to 2015-16). Random regression curves for daily BCS and LW were modelled using a 5th order Legendre polynomial. Data were analysed with a linear model, which included the effects of system, season, the system by season interaction and proportion of breeds (Jersey and Friesian), and cow age fitted as co-variants. The BCS was greater in 2014-15 than in either 2013-14 or 2015-16, (4.48 vs 4.33 and 4.28, respectively). The BCS of the housed and standard cows were significantly different (P <0.01) in 2013-14 and 2015-16. Housed cows were heavier than standard cows in both 2013-14 and 2014-15. These results indicate that housing of cows could improve on their BCS and LW. },
	issn = {1176-5283},
	author = {Sneddon NW and Lopez-Villalobos N and Donaghy DJ}
}
