Effects of Training for First Milking Involving Positive Tactile Stimulation on Post-Calving Maternal Behaviors in Primiparous Gyr Dairy Cows

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Maternal care and protective behavior have important roles in offspring survival. For Zebu dairy cattle, these maternal behaviors are even more relevant, influencing both productive performance and handler safety, as many dairy farms use cow–calf contact systems. The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of a training protocol involving pre-calving positive tactile stimulation on the post-calving maternal care and protective behavior of primiparous Gyr cows. These cows (n = 37) were allocated into two groups: training (n = 16) and control (n = 21). Various maternal behaviors were evaluated. Calf latency to stand up, body weight, and sex influenced cow–calf interactions, whereas the training group cows touched less and spent more time not interacting with their calves. Both the training and control groups had protective dams, but a higher percentage of the trained group dams were calmer toward calf handling. We concluded that the primiparous dairy Gyr cows subjected to the pre-calving positive tactile stimulation training protocol tended to be less protective on the first handling of their calves and presented less maternal care. ABSTRACT: In dairy systems with Zebu breeds, calves are not immediately separated from their dams after calving; consequently, maternal care and protective behavior are important, influencing both productive performance and stockpeople’s safety. Our objectives were to: (1) investigate the effects of a training protocol involving pre-calving positive stimulation, delivered prior to calving, on the maternal care of primiparous Gyr cows; and (2) evaluate the effects of this training protocol on maternal protective behavior towards handlers during the first calf handling. Primiparous dairy Gyr cows (n = 37) were allocated into two groups: training (n = 16) and control (n = 21). Animal behaviors were recorded in three periods: post-calving, first calf handling, and post-handling. Maternal protective behavior during calf handling was assessed from measures of aggressiveness, attention, displacement, and agitation. Calf latency to stand up (p < 0.01) and sex (p < 0.01) differed between the training and control groups. The training group had less touching (p = 0.03), more time not interacting with the calf (p = 0.03), tended to be less protective (p = 0.056), and moved less (p < 0.01) during the first handling of their calves. In conclusion, the primiparous dairy Gyr cows subjected to pre-calving training protocol displayed less maternal care and displacement during the first handling of their calves and tended to be less protective.