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Stray voltage and milk quality: a review
1Biological Systems Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 460 Henry Mall, Madison, WI 53706, USA. djreinem@wisc.edu
Summary
Electrical contact can cause behavioral changes in animals. Stray voltage up to 4V may cause mild stress but does not significantly impact milk production, mastitis, or somatic cell count (SCC) in dairy cows.
Area of Science:
- Animal Science
- Electrical Engineering
- Veterinary Medicine
Background:
- Electrical contact in animal environments can lead to shocks, causing behavioral responses from mild sensation to pain.
- Indirect effects include reduced feed/water intake and handling difficulties, influenced by current flow, pathway, and frequency.
- Severity depends on current (mA), body pathway, and individual animal sensitivity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the physiological and behavioral effects of electrical exposure on dairy cows.
- To determine the threshold for adverse effects and their relation to somatic cell count (SCC) and mastitis incidence.
- To evaluate the impact of stray voltage on milk yield and stress hormone levels.
Main Methods:
- Reviewed 46 research trials involving dairy cows exposed to controlled voltage and current levels.
- Measured animal contact voltage using shunt resistors (500- or 1000-ohm) and open-circuit measurements.
- Assessed behavioral responses, milk yield, milk composition, and stress hormone (cortisol) concentrations.
Main Results:
- Electrical exposure can cause behavioral modifications, including avoidance and involuntary muscle contractions.
- Stray voltage levels of 2-4V (rms) are perceptible and can cause mild stress responses.
- No significant increase in SCC or mastitis incidence was observed across studies.
- Cortisol levels increased only at substantially higher exposures than those causing behavioral modification; milk yield was minimally affected.
Conclusions:
- Stray voltage at levels of 2-4V acts as a mild stressor for dairy cows but does not lead to increased SCC or mastitis.
- Adverse effects on milk production or physiological health require current levels sufficient to cause aversion and forced exposure.
- Behavioral responses are the primary indicator of electrical exposure impact, with indirect effects mediated by behavior.
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