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Zanon T, Alrhmoun M, Gauly M. Assessing the impact of biosecurity practices and animal welfare in small-scale mountain dairy farming. Sci Rep 2024; 14:13294. [PMID: 38858560 PMCID: PMC11164905 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63841-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024] Open
Abstract
This study estimates the association between the level of biosecurity, animal welfare, milk quality, and economic performance on 2291 mountain dairy farms which largely differs in management and structure from large dairy operations in the lowlands mainly due to climatic and topographic constraints in mountain areas. The dairy industry's increasing emphasis on biosecurity is crucial for ensuring animal health, productivity, and disease mitigation. Therefore, in the present study the biosecurity and animal welfare status of mountain dairy farms were assessed considering the official welfare protocol for dairy cows of the Italian ClassyFarm system. Our findings reveal a suboptimal adoption of biosecurity measures, attributed to structural limitations in mountain farms and farmers' awareness gaps. Despite these challenges, the economic significance of biosecurity adoption is evident, emphasizing potential benefits for farm viability and animal health. Conversely, the study indicates a moderate to good welfare status in assessed farms, reflecting farmers' awareness of the importance of high welfare standards for dairy cows. Improved welfare positively correlates with milk sales and productivity, highlighting the economic advantages of prioritizing animal well-being. Challenges persist, particularly regarding animal housing deficiencies and related consumer concerns about animal welfare in dairy production. Therefore, targeted interventions and educational initiatives are crucial to empower farmers and promote best practices in biosecurity and animal welfare management. However, addressing resultant production cost increases necessitates society's willingness to pay more for animal-based food, emphasizing the importance of aligning economic incentives with sustainable farming practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Zanon
- Faculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, Free University of Bolzano, Piazza Università 5, 39100, Bolzano, Italy.
| | - Mousaab Alrhmoun
- Faculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, Free University of Bolzano, Piazza Università 5, 39100, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Matthias Gauly
- Faculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, Free University of Bolzano, Piazza Università 5, 39100, Bolzano, Italy
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Barry C, Ellingsen-Dalskau K, Winckler C, Kielland C. Exploring uses for an algorithmically generated Animal Welfare Indicator for welfare assessment of dairy herds. J Dairy Sci 2024; 107:3941-3958. [PMID: 38246554 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-24158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
On-farm welfare assessment is time-consuming and costly. Assessing welfare using routinely collected herd data has been proposed as a more economical alternative. The online Animal Welfare Indicator (AWI), developed by a Norwegian dairy cooperative, applies an algorithm to routinely collected health, production, and management data to "indicate" aspects of animal welfare at herd level. The overall AWI score is based on 10 AWI subindicator scores, representative of elements of animal welfare such as claw health, udder health, and mortality. Our cross-sectional study explored 2 ways in which the AWI may enable more efficient welfare assessment of Norwegian dairy herds. First, we investigated using the AWI to reduce the duration of on-farm assessments by replacing on-farm measures. Second, we examined reducing the number of on-farm welfare assessments by using the AWI to predict which herds have poorer welfare with respect to specific on-farm measures. Using Spearman rank analyses, we investigated if the AWI scores for 157 herds were associated with 24 on-farm welfare variables measured contemporaneously by Welfare Quality assessment. The mortality AWI subindicator score and the percentage mortality in the previous 12 mo were moderately correlated, as were the udder health AWI subindicator score and the percentage high somatic cell count (SCC) in the previous 3 recordings. Only negligible or weak correlations were found between the other AWI scores and the on-farm assessment variables. We built Generalized Linear Models using AWI scores as independent variables to predict herds with poorer welfare. Herds were classified as having poorer welfare based on their results in specific on-farm welfare measures. We evaluated the models' predictive ability and accuracy. Moderately accurate models were built for predicting poorer herds with respect to high SCC, mortality, and moderate or severe lameness. The other models were less accurate. The AWI scores were generally unsuitable as replacements of on-farm welfare measures. The AWI subindicators for udder health and mortality could replace the on-farm welfare measures related to those 2 topics, but there was some overlap in the data used to calculate them. Despite a lack of independence, the use of those 2 AWI subindicators may marginally reduce the duration of on-farm assessments. A prediction model based on AWI scores showed potential for identifying herds with poorer welfare in terms of moderate or severe lameness, facilitating more efficient use of resources for on-farm lameness assessment. As a consequence of the data used in the AWI, it was only reflective of health-related welfare outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conor Barry
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 1433 Ås, Norway.
| | - Kristian Ellingsen-Dalskau
- Department for Animal Health, Animal Welfare and Food Safety, Norwegian Veterinary Institute, 1433 Ås, Norway
| | - Christoph Winckler
- Department of Sustainable Agricultural Systems, Institute of Livestock Sciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, 1180 Vienna, Austria
| | - Camilla Kielland
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 1433 Ås, Norway
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Paskaš S, Miočinović J, Savić M, Djukić-Stojčić M, Pihler I, Becskei Z. Welfare Assessment on Different-Sized Dairy Goat Farms in the Northern Serbian Province of Vojvodina. J APPL ANIM WELF SCI 2024; 27:210-222. [PMID: 34994251 DOI: 10.1080/10888705.2022.2025537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
This research aimed for the first time to identify the essential welfare problems on 46 goat dairy farms in Vojvodina,based on the goat AWIN welfare protocol. The study showed that space allowance per goat was 1.55, 1.86 and 2.50 m2/goat (large, medium, small-sized farms, respectively). Most farms possessed the soil floor and straw as a flooring material. The small and medium farms more allowed access to the outdoor area. Contrary, large-sized farms mostly kept goats in fully housed systems with reduced opportunities for the goats to express their natural behavior. Management procedures were significantly different (p < 0.05) between the investigated farms. Differences were mainly in bedding, feeding and culling strategies. Low productivity was the main cause of culling in all farm types. Small-sized farms carried out more often disbudding (42.9%) in comparison with medium (21.4%) and large-sized ones (14.3%). Group level observation showed that the main areas of concern were associated with hair coat condition and kneeling at the feeding rack (p < 0.05). Inadequate BCS, udder asymmetry and claw overgrowth were frequently recorded. The prevalence of thin and fat goats was highest in large-sized farms All farm size categories and management systems showed certain welfare weaknesses. Thus, the findings highlighted the need for higher implementation of animal welfare principles and improvement of management techniques to meet the welfare requirements of dairy goats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Snežana Paskaš
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Jelena Miočinović
- Department of Animal Science of Food Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Belgrade, Belgrade-Zemun, Serbia
| | - Mila Savić
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Mirjana Djukić-Stojčić
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Ivan Pihler
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Zsolt Becskei
- Department of Animal Breeding and Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
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Krahn J, Foris B, Sheng K, Weary DM, von Keyserlingk MAG. Effects of group size on agonistic interactions in dairy cows: a descriptive study. Animal 2024; 18:101083. [PMID: 38377807 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2024.101083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Group-housed cattle may engage in agonistic interactions over resources such as feed, which can negatively affect aspects of welfare. Little is known about how contextual factors such as group size influence agonistic behaviour. We explored the frequency of agonistic interactions at the feeder when cattle were housed in different-sized groups. We also explored the consistency of the directionality of agonistic interactions in dyads and of the number of agonistic interactions initiated by individuals across the group sizes. Four replicates of 50 cows each were assessed in two group-size phases. In Phase 1, cows were kept in one group of 50. In Phase 2, these same cows were divided into five groups of 10, maintaining stocking density (i.e., ratio of animals to lying stalls and feed bunk spaces). We measured agonistic replacements (i.e., interactions that result in one cow leaving the feed bin and another taking her place) at an electronic feeder using a validated algorithm. We used these data from Phase 1 to calculate individual Elo-ratings (a type of dominance score). Cows were then categorised into five dominance categories based upon these ratings. To ensure a consistent Elo-rating distribution between phases, two cows from each dominance category were randomly assigned to each small group of 10 cows. The mean ± SE number of replacements per cow was similar regardless of whether the cows were housed in groups of 50 (34.1 ± 2.4) or 10 (31.1 ± 4.5), although the groups of 10 were more variable. Further, 81.6 ± 7.7% (mean ± SD) of dyads had the same directionality across group sizes (i.e., the same individual won the majority of interactions in the dyad) and individuals were moderately consistent in the number of replacements they initiated (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.62 ± 0.11; mean ± SD). These results indicate that the relationship between group size and agonistic behaviour is complex; we discuss these challenges and suggest new avenues for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Krahn
- 2357 Main Mall, Animal Welfare Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z6, Canada
| | - Borbala Foris
- 2357 Main Mall, Animal Welfare Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z6, Canada
| | - Kehan Sheng
- 2357 Main Mall, Animal Welfare Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z6, Canada
| | - Daniel M Weary
- 2357 Main Mall, Animal Welfare Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z6, Canada
| | - Marina A G von Keyserlingk
- 2357 Main Mall, Animal Welfare Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z6, Canada.
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Fürmann A, Syring C, Becker J, Sarbach A, Weber J, Welham Ruiters M, Steiner A. Prevalence of Painful Lesions of the Digits and Risk Factors Associated with Digital Dermatitis, Ulcers and White Line Disease on Swiss Cattle Farms. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:153. [PMID: 38200884 PMCID: PMC10778466 DOI: 10.3390/ani14010153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2023] [Revised: 12/16/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
The first aim of this study was to calculate the prevalence of painful lesions of the digits ("alarm" lesions; ALs) in Swiss dairy herds and cow-calf operations over a three-year study period. The following ALs were included in the calculation: the M2 stage of digital dermatitis (DD M2), ulcers (U), white line fissures (WLF) of moderate and high severity, white line abscesses (WLA), interdigital phlegmon (IP) and swelling of the coronet and/or bulb (SW). Between February 2020 and February 2023, digit disorders were electronically recorded during routine trimmings by 40 specially trained hoof trimmers on Swiss cattle farms participating in the national claw health programme. The data set used consisted of over 35,000 observations from almost 25,000 cows from 702 herds. While at the herd-level, the predominant AL documented in 2022 was U with 50.3% followed by WLF with 38.1%, at the cow-level, in 2022, it was DD M2 with 5.4% followed by U with 3.7%. During the study period, within-herd prevalences of ALs ranged from 0.0% to a maximum of 66.1% in 2020. The second aim of this study was to determine herd- and cow-level risk factors associated with digital dermatitis (DD), U and white line disease (WL) in dairy cows using data from 2022. While for DD, analysed herd-level factors appeared to have a greater effect on the probability of its occurrence, the presence of U and WL was mainly associated with the analysed cow-level factors. The risk for DD increased with a higher herd trimming frequency. Herds kept in tie stalls had a lower risk for DD and WL and a higher risk for U compared to herds kept in loose housing systems. Herds with predominantly Holstein Friesian cows as well as Holstein Friesian cows had a higher risk for the occurrence of DD compared to herds and cows of other breeds. With increasing parity, cows had a higher risk of developing U and WL, whereas for DD, parity was negatively associated with prevalence. Cows trimmed during the grazing period had a higher risk of U and WL than cows trimmed during the housing period. These findings may contribute to improve management measures affecting the health of the digits in farms with structures similar to those evaluated in the current study, such as small herds with frequent access to pasture. Further research is warranted to demonstrate how measures addressing the current results combined with those of individual herd risk assessments might contribute to an improvement in the health of the digits in the respective dairy herds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Fürmann
- Clinic for Ruminants, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland; (C.S.); (J.B.); (A.S.); (J.W.); (M.W.R.); (A.S.)
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Nielsen SS, Alvarez J, Bicout DJ, Calistri P, Canali E, Drewe JA, Garin‐Bastuji B, Gonzales Rojas JL, Gortázar Schmidt C, Herskin M, Michel V, Miranda Chueca MÁ, Padalino B, Roberts HC, Spoolder H, Stahl K, Velarde A, Viltrop A, De Boyer des Roches A, Jensen MB, Mee J, Green M, Thulke H, Bailly‐Caumette E, Candiani D, Lima E, Van der Stede Y, Winckler C. Welfare of dairy cows. EFSA J 2023; 21:e07993. [PMID: 37200854 PMCID: PMC10186071 DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2023.7993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023] Open
Abstract
This Scientific Opinion addresses a European Commission's mandate on the welfare of dairy cows as part of the Farm to Fork strategy. It includes three assessments carried out based on literature reviews and complemented by expert opinion. Assessment 1 describes the most prevalent housing systems for dairy cows in Europe: tie-stalls, cubicle housing, open-bedded systems and systems with access to an outdoor area. Per each system, the scientific opinion describes the distribution in the EU and assesses the main strengths, weaknesses and hazards potentially reducing the welfare of dairy cows. Assessment 2 addresses five welfare consequences as requested in the mandate: locomotory disorders (including lameness), mastitis, restriction of movement and resting problems, inability to perform comfort behaviour and metabolic disorders. Per each welfare consequence, a set of animal-based measures is suggested, a detailed analysis of the prevalence in different housing systems is provided, and subsequently, a comparison of the housing systems is given. Common and specific system-related hazards as well as management-related hazards and respective preventive measures are investigated. Assessment 3 includes an analysis of farm characteristics (e.g. milk yield, herd size) that could be used to classify the level of on-farm welfare. From the available scientific literature, it was not possible to derive relevant associations between available farm data and cow welfare. Therefore, an approach based on expert knowledge elicitation (EKE) was developed. The EKE resulted in the identification of five farm characteristics (more than one cow per cubicle at maximum stocking density, limited space for cows, inappropriate cubicle size, high on-farm mortality and farms with less than 2 months access to pasture). If one or more of these farm characteristics are present, it is recommended to conduct an assessment of cow welfare on the farm in question using animal-based measures for specified welfare consequences.
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Drivers and indicators of dairy animal welfare in large-scale dairies (review). Trop Anim Health Prod 2023; 55:43. [PMID: 36680610 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-022-03440-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
While animal welfare concerns are rising globally, this has not been the case with lower- and middle-income economies in Africa and Asia such as Zimbabwe. These developing countries have their own problems which are not reported in developed countries, such as the harsh economic environment, limited technologies and different political and food security priorities. These factors limit focusing on animal welfare. Meanwhile, studies on animal welfare in these countries have been limited. The task of determining animal welfare is a very complex and can sometimes be very subjective since there is no gold standard protocol to be used in many developing countries. This paper reviews the main factors that are used to assess dairy animal welfare at a farm situation. The factors were categorised and generally discussed as drivers and indicators of dairy animal welfare. Key indicators reviewed in this study include but are not limited to production performance indicators, body condition scores, cleanliness scores, presence of clinical disease signs and physiological and behavioural indicators. Dairy animal welfare drivers discussed in this paper include but not limited to the general design of dairy cattle housing, presence of foot bath and shading facilities, presence and use of maternity paddocks, state of feeder and water troughs.
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Barry C, Ellingsen-Dalskau K, Garmo RT, Grønmo Kischel S, Winckler C, Kielland C. Obtaining an animal welfare status in Norwegian dairy herds-A mountain to climb. Front Vet Sci 2023; 10:1125860. [PMID: 36908518 PMCID: PMC10000292 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1125860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Knowing the national status of animal welfare, one can identify welfare problems and set a benchmark against which improvements can be compared. Such a status is potentially invaluable for tangible, sustained animal welfare improvement. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to report the status of animal welfare in Norwegian loose-housed dairy herds as assessed using the Welfare Quality® Assessment Protocol. Additionally, we investigated if the welfare status varied on a regional basis. Methods In total, 155 herds in eight of Norway's eleven counties were assessed by six trained Welfare Quality® assessors. This article presents the herd prevalences of common welfare issues in dairy production in Norway, as well as integrated welfare scores. To determine whether welfare status varied regionally in Norway, generalized linear modeling was used to estimate the mean welfare score for five regions in the four Welfare Quality® principles: A. Good feeding, B. Good housing, C. Good health, and D. Appropriate behavior. These estimated mean welfare scores and their 95% confidence intervals were subsequently assessed for significant variation. Results Encouraging findings included the low mean herd prevalence of 'very lean' cows (3.0%) and the high proportion of cows (59.8%) which could be touched during avoidance distance testing, indicating a positive relationship between stockpeople and their cattle. Challenges affecting the welfare of Norwegian dairy cows were also identified. Of particular concern were issues related to the cows' environment such as prolonged times needed to complete lying down movements and integument alterations. No herd was completely free of changes to the integument and, on average, 77.9% of each herd were affected either mildly or severely. Animal welfare did not appear to vary much between the five regions assessed. Our investigation revealed significant regional variation between two regions (Trøndelag and Vestlandet North) in only the Welfare Quality® principle Good housing (p < 0.01). Discussion The almost complete absence of regional variation demonstrates that animal welfare status generally varies most at herd level. In conclusion, both welfare challenges and encouraging findings were identified in loose-housed Norwegian dairy herds. To improve animal welfare, herd-specific interventions are most likely to be effective in these herds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Conor Barry
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
| | - Kristian Ellingsen-Dalskau
- Department for Animal Health, Animal Welfare and Food Safety, Norwegian Veterinary Institute, Ås, Norway
| | | | | | - Christoph Winckler
- Department of Sustainable Agricultural Systems, Institute of Livestock Sciences, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Austria
| | - Camilla Kielland
- Department of Production Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway
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Lindena T, Hess S. Is animal welfare better on smaller dairy farms? Evidence from 3,085 dairy farms in Germany. J Dairy Sci 2022; 105:8924-8945. [PMID: 36175235 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2022-21906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
The structural change toward larger (dairy) farms is often criticized because it supposedly has a negative effect on farm animal welfare. We investigated this criticism using cross-sectional survey data from 3,085 German dairy farms. Even though our sample was a convenience sample, it closely resembled the diverse structures of dairy farming in Germany and covered a wide range of dairy farm sizes (7 to 2,900 cows per farm, mean 122). We developed an animal welfare index (AWI) in close consultation with experts along the dairy value chain (e.g., farm animal welfare scientists, farmers, dairy representatives). Regression results showed that larger farms tended to achieve a better AWI than smaller farms in our data set. However, the effect size was small. Nevertheless, in contrast to the widespread assumption in public discussion, larger dairy herds are not necessarily associated with poorer animal welfare. In all herd size classes, we found a large variation of AWI between herds. Although this study focused on the effect of herd size, it is not the only factor affecting animal welfare levels on individual farms. Other variables that we included in the regression to describe the AWI indicate that the knowledge and skills of the farm manager and the amount of time that farms can devote to animals have a positive effect on the AWI. However, as with herd size, the effect size of other explanatory variables was small in absolute terms.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Lindena
- Johann Heinrich von Thünen Institute, Institute of Farm Economics, Braunschweig, Lower Saxony, 38116, Germany.
| | - S Hess
- Department of Agricultural Markets, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, 70599, Germany
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de Andrade Kogima P, Diesel TA, Vieira FMC, Schogor ALB, Volpini AA, Veloso GJ, Ferraz PFP, Zotti MLAN. The Welfare of Dairy Cows in Pasture, Free Stall, and Compost Barn Management Systems in a Brazilian Subtropical Region. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:2215. [PMID: 36077934 PMCID: PMC9454982 DOI: 10.3390/ani12172215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The effect of milk production systems on the welfare of dairy cows has been studied worldwide, but studies that compare pasture-based, compost barn, and free stall systems, according to animal welfare, are more scarce. In this work, the welfare of 51 dairy herds, including 17 from each management system, was investigated through the application of the Welfare Quality® protocol. Descriptive statistics and the Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric method were used to analyze variables. In the present work, the welfare of the evaluated herds was significantly better in the pasture-based system than in the confinement systems. However, the pasture-based system presented weaknesses in providing water resources. The compost barn had fewer animal welfare critical points than the free stall system, as well as it was better than the free stall in measures related to comfort and health. The free stall did not present better scores than the other systems. It is concluded that the welfare of dairy cows is affected by the rearing system, with better scores, in most measures, in the pasture-based system, followed by the compost barn and, finally, the free stall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula de Andrade Kogima
- Department of Animal Science, Santa Catarina State University (UDESC), Florianópolis 89815-630, Brazil
| | - Taciana Aparecida Diesel
- Department Animal Science Department, Federal Institute of Education, Science and Technology of Maranhão (IFMA), São Luís 65075-441, Brazil
| | | | | | - Alana Aparecida Volpini
- Department of Animal Science, Santa Catarina State University (UDESC), Florianópolis 89815-630, Brazil
| | - Géssica Jaine Veloso
- Department of Animal Science, Santa Catarina State University (UDESC), Florianópolis 89815-630, Brazil
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Aleksic B, Djekic I, Miocinovic J, Miloradovic Z, Memisi N, Smigic N. The application of Failure Mode Effects Analysis in the long supply chain – A case study of ultra filtrated milk cheese. Food Control 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2022.109057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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12
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Schenkenfelder J, Winckler C. To meet or not to meet welfare outcome thresholds: a case-control study in dairy cow herds. Animal 2022; 16:100461. [PMID: 35183010 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2022.100461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 01/10/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Recently published thresholds allow classifying dairy cattle herds according to target, caution and alert ranges for welfare outcomes. Such normative thresholds provide one way to transparently assess production practices and are a straightforward communication tool with farmers. In an ordinal response case-control study, we investigated associations of animal, management and resource-related indicators with the risk of exceeding thresholds of prevalence for lameness, claw disorders, integument alterations and leg cleanliness. To this end, we used cumulative logistic regression models on 264 tethered and 392 loose-housed Austrian dairy herds. In tethered herds, the risk indicator average lactation milk yield was positively associated with the probability to exceed thresholds for integument alteration prevalence but negatively regarding leg cleanliness. Associations were also found for operation type regarding integument alterations (lower risk on organic vs conventional farms), for herd size regarding lameness (negative association) and dirty upper hind leg (positive association), and for percentage of fifth or higher parity cows in the herd regarding dirty lower hind leg (positive association). Stall type was identified as risk indicator regarding claw disorders (lower risk of long vs short stands). In loose housing systems, none of the analysed risk indicators was associated with the probability to exceed thresholds for total lameness and claw disorder prevalence. Negative associations with the probability to exceed caution or alert thresholds were identified for lifetime milk yield (dirty upper hind leg), lactation milk yield (dirty upper and lower hind leg), percentage of cows in the herd with a fat-protein-ratio <1 (integument alterations), and percentage of cows in the herd with a fat-protein-ratio >1.5 (dirty upper hind leg). Pasture access showed negative (severe lameness, integument alterations) and herd size positive associations (severe lameness) with the probability to exceed thresholds. Deep litter cubicles compared to raised cubicles with rubber mats showed a lower probability to exceed thresholds (integument alterations, dirty lower hind leg) as well as solid rubber compared to concrete slatted flooring in alleyways (integument alterations). Assessments carried out during the pasture period compared to during winter housing were associated with a lower risk of exceeding thresholds for leg cleanliness measures in both, tethered and loose-housed herds, and for integument alteration prevalence in tethered herds. In conclusion, no principal risk indicator was identified which consistently determined the probability of exceeding predefined thresholds of considered welfare outcomes. Nevertheless, outcome-specific factors show sufficient impact on the categorisation of farms according to prevalence ranges.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Schenkenfelder
- Division of Livestock Sciences, Department of Sustainable Agricultural Systems, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Gregor-Mendel-Strasse 33, 1180 Vienna, Austria.
| | - C Winckler
- Division of Livestock Sciences, Department of Sustainable Agricultural Systems, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna, Gregor-Mendel-Strasse 33, 1180 Vienna, Austria
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Contribution of Precision Livestock Farming Systems to the Improvement of Welfare Status and Productivity of Dairy Animals. DAIRY 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/dairy3010002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Although the effects of human–dairy cattle interaction have been extensively examined, data concerning small ruminants are scarce. The present review article aims at highlighting the effects of management practices on the productivity, physiology and behaviour of dairy animals. In general, aversive handling is associated with a milk yield reduction and welfare impairment. Precision livestock farming systems have therefore been applied and have rapidly changed the management process with the introduction of technological and computer innovations that contribute to the minimization of animal disturbances, the promotion of good practices and the maintenance of cattle’s welfare status and milk production and farms’ sustainability and competitiveness at high levels. However, although dairy farmers acknowledge the advantages deriving from the application of precision livestock farming advancements, a reluctance concerning their regular application to small ruminants is observed, due to economic and cultural constraints and poor technological infrastructures. As a result, targeted intervention training programmes are also necessary in order to improve the efficacy and efficiency of handling, especially of small ruminants.
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Britt JH, Cushman RA, Dechow CD, Dobson H, Humblot P, Hutjens MF, Jones GA, Mitloehner FM, Ruegg PL, Sheldon IM, Stevenson JS. Review: Perspective on high-performing dairy cows and herds. Animal 2021; 15 Suppl 1:100298. [PMID: 34266782 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2021.100298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2020] [Revised: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Milk and dairy products provide highly sustainable concentrations of essential amino acids and other required nutrients for humans; however, amount of milk currently produced per dairy cow globally is inadequate to meet future needs. Higher performing dairy cows and herds produce more milk with less environmental impact per kg than lower performing cows and herds. In 2018, 15.4% of the world's dairy cows produced 45.4% of the world's dairy cow milk, reflecting the global contribution of high-performing cows and herds. In high-performing herds, genomic evaluations are utilized for multiple trait selection, welfare is monitored by remote sensing, rations are formulated at micronutrient levels, health care is focused on prevention and reproduction is managed with precision. Higher performing herds require more inputs and generate more waste products per cow, thus innovations in environmental management on such farms are essential for lowering environmental impacts. Our focus is to provide perspectives on technologies and practices that contribute most to sustainable production of milk from high-performing dairy cows and herds.
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Affiliation(s)
- J H Britt
- Department of Animal Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7621, USA.
| | - R A Cushman
- USDA, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, NE 68933, USA
| | - C D Dechow
- Department of Animal Science, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA
| | - H Dobson
- Institute of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Neston, CH64 7TE, UK
| | - P Humblot
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala 750 07, Sweden
| | - M F Hutjens
- Department of Animal Sciences, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - G A Jones
- Central Sands Dairy, De Pere, WI 54115-9603, USA
| | - F M Mitloehner
- Department of Animal Science, University of California-Davis, Davis, CA 95616-5270, USA
| | - P L Ruegg
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Science, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824 USA
| | - I M Sheldon
- Swansea University Medical School, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - J S Stevenson
- Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506-0201, USA
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Wagner K, Brinkmann J, Bergschmidt A, Renziehausen C, March S. The effects of farming systems (organic vs. conventional) on dairy cow welfare, based on the Welfare Quality® protocol. Animal 2021; 15:100301. [PMID: 34245955 DOI: 10.1016/j.animal.2021.100301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2020] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal welfare in livestock production is of great interest to consumers. The organic farming approach strives to ensure animal welfare based on preventive measures, but there are very few scientific studies that compare the actual differences in animal welfare between organic and conventional farms. Those studies that have been carried out frequently focus on specific aspects of animal welfare, mostly health issues. The aim of the present study, therefore, was to investigate the effects of the farming system on the welfare of dairy cows in a more holistic way. Although this study was carried out in just two federal states of Germany, the results could serve as a suitable model for the whole country. We used the Welfare Quality assessment protocol to measure welfare for dairy cattle (Welfare Quality®, 2009) and the results showed significant differences (P < 0.05) between organic and conventional farms, but there was also considerable variance between individual farms of the same farming system. Organic farms scored higher in all four Welfare Quality® principles: "Good Feeding", "Good Housing", "Good Health" and "Appropriate Behavior" compared to conventional farms. In particular, organic farms obtained higher scores with respect to Welfare Quality® measures of resting comfort, which contributes to a lower percentage of lameness; organic farms also implemented less painful methods for disbudding, or indeed carried out no disbudding, and provided access to pasture and outdoor exercise. However, organic farms still have room for improvement, especially with respect to animal health. Therefore, outcome-based specifications should be included in the current (purely action-oriented) European regulation of organic production (EC, 2008; EU, 2018) to safeguard the health-related aspects of animal welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Wagner
- Thünen Institute of Organic Farming, Trenthorst 32, 23847 Westerau, Germany
| | - J Brinkmann
- Thünen Institute of Organic Farming, Trenthorst 32, 23847 Westerau, Germany.
| | - A Bergschmidt
- Thünen Institute of Farm Economics, Bundesallee 50, 38116 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - C Renziehausen
- Thünen Institute of Farm Economics, Bundesallee 50, 38116 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - S March
- Thünen Institute of Organic Farming, Trenthorst 32, 23847 Westerau, Germany
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16
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Effect of low and high concentrate supplementation on health and welfare indicators in different breeds in small-scale mountain dairy farms. J DAIRY RES 2021; 88:139-146. [PMID: 34105452 DOI: 10.1017/s0022029921000273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
We investigated and compared the effects of low and high concentrate supplementation in terms of animal welfare, health and reproductive performance in two different dairy cow breeds on small-scale mountain farms. 64 South Tyrolean dairy farms were evaluated using an on-farm assessment for animal-based and resource-based welfare indicators, data from test day records, and a questionnaire for the farmer. Farms were divided into four groups: low input Tyrolean Grey (L-TG), low input Brown Swiss (L-BS), high input Tyrolean Grey (H-TG) and high input Brown Swiss (H-BS). Effects of intensity level, breed and their interaction were calculated and analyzed statistically. The predominant husbandry system across all groups was tie-stall. The average energy-corrected milk yield increased with increasing concentrate level, with L-TG showing the lowest and H-BS showing the highest milk yield. Age at first calving was lowest in H-BS when compared to all other systems, while numbers of lactations were higher in L-TG compared to H-BS. Feed efficiency (percentage of milk out of roughage) was significantly higher in L-TG and L-BS when compared to H-TG and H-BS. L-BS showed the poorest results for most of the welfare indicators such as lean cows, lesions and percentage of dirty animals. In conclusion, a higher concentrate level in diets does not lead automatically to lower animal welfare for dairy cows in alpine regions. Indeed, keeping high yielding breeds in extensive systems seems to be challenging. The dual-purpose breed TG showed some clear advantages in that calving interval was lower and the number of lactations greater.
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Bergschmidt A, March S, Wagner K, Brinkmann J. A Results-Oriented Approach for the Animal Welfare Measure of the European Union's Rural Development Programme. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:1570. [PMID: 34072089 PMCID: PMC8229758 DOI: 10.3390/ani11061570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Farm animal welfare is a major concern to the European Union's citizens, addressed in the Rural Development Programmes by a specific animal welfare support measure. Previous evaluation results reveal that the implemented action-oriented measures fail when it comes to improving animal health, an important dimension of animal welfare. Results-oriented measures could compensate for this deficiency, but little is known about their design. In order to improve the effectiveness of current animal welfare measures for dairy cows, we analysed the elements of such a measure in an interdisciplinary, application-oriented research project involving agricultural economists and livestock scientists. We have used a mixed methods approach including a written Delphi survey, group-discussions and on-farm data-collection to select suitable indicators, develop an approach for the identification of threshold values and to design a support measure. Results suggest that, in animal welfare support measures, action- as well as results-oriented elements are necessary to address all dimensions of animal welfare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angela Bergschmidt
- Thünen Institute of Farm Economics, Bundesallee 63, 38116 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Solveig March
- Thünen Institute of Organic Farming, Trenthorst 32, 23847 Westerau, Germany; (S.M.); (K.W.); (J.B.)
| | - Kathrin Wagner
- Thünen Institute of Organic Farming, Trenthorst 32, 23847 Westerau, Germany; (S.M.); (K.W.); (J.B.)
| | - Jan Brinkmann
- Thünen Institute of Organic Farming, Trenthorst 32, 23847 Westerau, Germany; (S.M.); (K.W.); (J.B.)
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Cruz I, Pereira I, Ruprechter G, Barca J, Meikle A, Larriestra A. Clinical disease incidence during early lactation, risk factors and association with fertility and culling in grazing dairy cows in Uruguay. Prev Vet Med 2021; 191:105359. [PMID: 33945956 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2021.105359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2020] [Revised: 04/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
This paper aims to describe clinical disease incidence in early lactation and explore its association with fertility and culling in 13 commercial grazing dairy herds in Uruguay. Seven farms with less than 250 dairy cows considered small herds (SH) with a herd size average ± (SD) of 144 ± (56) cows and six farms with more than 500 cows considered large herds (LH) with a herd size average ± (SD) of 830 ± (239) cows were selected. Herd managers recorded health events during the first 90 days in milk in 5375 Holstein dairy cows [24.5% (n=1316) of them were primiparous cows, (PP)] during one year. Overall, 36.5% (n=1959) of the cows had at least one clinical health event between 1-90 days in milk. The cumulative incidences were 2.2% for twin birth and 4.9% for stillbirth. Cumulative incidence was 4.4% for retained placenta-metritis (RP-metritis), 27.6% for clinical mastitis and 5.0% for lameness. Our data showed that parity and herd size were risk factors for postpartum disease in grazing dairy herds. In PP cows, stillbirth incidence was higher than in multiparous (MP) cows (PP=6.9 ± 3.4, SD vs. MP=4.3 ± 2.6, SD), while in MP cows twin births (MP=2.7 ± 1.7, SD vs. PP=0.7 ± 2.7, SD), RP-metritis (MP=4.6 ± 3.9, SD vs. PP=3.8 ± 3.7, SD) and mastitis incidence (MP=30.9 ± 11.4, SD vs. PP=17.2 ± 13.9, SD) was higher. Clinical mastitis (LH=29.4 ± 9.6, SD vs. SH=19.1 ± 11.3, SD) and lameness incidence (LH=5.6 ± 1.9, SD vs. SH=2.3 ± 2.1, SD) was higher in large herds than in small herds. RP-metritis was increased by stillbirth (OR=4.4, 95 % CI=2.9-6.5) and twin birth (OR=2.8, 95 % CI=1.5-5.1). Diseases had a negative impact on time to first service and pregnancy rate and increased culling hazard rate. Disease incidence in early lactation was high and showed a wide variation among herds (10.4%-48.7%), which highlights the relevance of a herd health program prioritizing the early lactation disease control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Cruz
- Animal Endocrine and Metabolism Laboratory, Veterinary Faculty, PC 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay.
| | | | - Gretel Ruprechter
- Animal Endocrine and Metabolism Laboratory, Veterinary Faculty, PC 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Joaquin Barca
- Animal Endocrine and Metabolism Laboratory, Veterinary Faculty, PC 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Ana Meikle
- Animal Endocrine and Metabolism Laboratory, Veterinary Faculty, PC 11600, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - Alejandro Larriestra
- Faculty of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine, National University of Rio Cuarto, PC 5800, Argentina; Institute for Agroindustrial Development and Health (IDAS), UNRC-CONICET, National Route 36 km 601, Río Cuarto 5800, Córdoba, Argentina
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Bang NN, Chanh NV, Trach NX, Khang DN, Hayes BJ, Gaughan JB, Lyons RE, Hai NT, McNeill DM. Assessment of Performance and Some Welfare Indicators of Cows in Vietnamese Smallholder Dairy Farms. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:674. [PMID: 33802472 PMCID: PMC8000343 DOI: 10.3390/ani11030674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Smallholder dairy farms (SDFs) are distributed widely across lowland and highland regions in Vietnam, but data on the productivity and welfare status of these cows remains limited. This cross-sectional study was conducted to describe and compare the productivity and welfare status of SDF cows across contrasting regions. It was conducted in autumn 2017 on 32 SDFs randomly selected from four typical but contrasting dairy regions (eight SDFs per region); a south lowland, a south highland, a north lowland, and a north highland region. Each farm was visited over a 24-h period (an afternoon followed by a morning milking and adjacent husbandry activities) to collect data of individual lactating cows (n = 345) and dry cows (n = 123), which included: milk yield and concentrations, body weight (BW), body condition score (BCS, 5-point scale, 5 = very fat), inseminations per conception, and level of heat stress experienced (panting score, 4.5-point scale, 0 = no stress). The high level of heat stress (96% of lactating cows were moderate to highly heat-stressed in the afternoon), low energy corrected milk yield (15.7 kg/cow/d), low percentage of lactating cows (37.3% herd), low BW (498 and 521 kg in lactating and dry cows, respectively), and low BCS of lactating cows (2.8) were the most important productivity and welfare concerns determined and these were most serious in the south lowland. By contrast, cows in the north lowland, a relatively hot but new dairying region, performed similarly to those in the south highland; a region historically considered to be one of the most suitable for dairy cows in Vietnam due to its cool environment. This indicates the potential to mitigate heat stress through new husbandry strategies. Cows in the north highland had the highest BW (535 and 569 kg in lactating and dry cows, respectively) and the highest energy corrected milk yield (19.2 kg/cow/d). Cows in all regions were heat-stressed during the daytime, although less so in the highlands compared to the lowlands. Opportunities for research into improving the productivity and welfare of Vietnamese SDF cows are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nguyen N. Bang
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia;
- Faculty of Animal Science, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Hanoi 131000, Vietnam;
| | - Nguyen V. Chanh
- Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Nong Lam University, Ho Chi Minh 71308, Vietnam; (N.V.C.); (D.N.K.); (N.T.H.)
| | - Nguyen X. Trach
- Faculty of Animal Science, Vietnam National University of Agriculture, Hanoi 131000, Vietnam;
| | - Duong N. Khang
- Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Nong Lam University, Ho Chi Minh 71308, Vietnam; (N.V.C.); (D.N.K.); (N.T.H.)
| | - Ben J. Hayes
- Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia;
| | - John B. Gaughan
- School of Agriculture and Food Sciences, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia;
| | - Russell E. Lyons
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia;
| | - Nguyen T. Hai
- Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Nong Lam University, Ho Chi Minh 71308, Vietnam; (N.V.C.); (D.N.K.); (N.T.H.)
| | - David M. McNeill
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia;
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Salau J, Krieter J. Instance Segmentation with Mask R-CNN Applied to Loose-Housed Dairy Cows in a Multi-Camera Setting. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:E2402. [PMID: 33333993 PMCID: PMC7765358 DOI: 10.3390/ani10122402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2020] [Revised: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
With increasing herd sizes came an enhanced requirement for automated systems to support the farmers in the monitoring of the health and welfare status of their livestock. Cattle are a highly sociable species, and the herd structure has important impact on the animal welfare. As the behaviour of the animals and their social interactions can be influenced by the presence of a human observer, a camera based system that automatically detects the animals would be beneficial to analyse dairy cattle herd activity. In the present study, eight surveillance cameras were mounted above the barn area of a group of thirty-six lactating Holstein Friesian dairy cows at the Chamber of Agriculture in Futterkamp in Northern Germany. With Mask R-CNN, a state-of-the-art model of convolutional neural networks was trained to determine pixel level segmentation masks for the cows in the video material. The model was pre-trained on the Microsoft common objects in the context data set, and transfer learning was carried out on annotated image material from the recordings as training data set. In addition, the relationship between the size of the used training data set and the performance on the model after transfer learning was analysed. The trained model achieved averaged precision (Intersection over union, IOU = 0.5) 91% and 85% for the detection of bounding boxes and segmentation masks of the cows, respectively, thereby laying a solid technical basis for an automated analysis of herd activity and the use of resources in loose-housing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Salau
- Institute of Animal Breeding and Husbandry, Kiel University, Olshausenstraße 40, 24098 Kiel, Germany;
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Biogas Plant Exploitation in a Middle-Sized Dairy Farm in Poland: Energetic and Economic Aspects. ENERGIES 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/en13226058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Although cow manure is a valuable natural fertilizer, it is also a source of extreme greenhouse gas emissions, mainly methane. For this reason, this study aims to determine the impact of investments in a biogas plant on the energy and economic aspects of the operation of a dairy farm. A farm with a breeding size of 600 livestock units (LSU) was adopted for the analysis. In order to reach the paper’s aim, the analysis of two different scenarios of dairy farm functioning (conventional–only milk production, and modern–with biogas plant exploitation) was conducted. The analysis showed that the investment in biogas plant operations at a dairy farm and in using cow manure as one of the main substrates is a more profitable scenario compared to traditional dairy farming. Taking into account the actual Polish subsidies for electricity produced by small biogas plants, the scenario with a functioning biogas plant with a capacity of 500 kW brings €332,000/a more profit compared to the conventional scenario, even when taking into account additional costs, including the purchase of straw to ensure a continuous operation of the installation. Besides, in the traditional scenario, building a biogas plant allows for an almost complete reduction of greenhouse gas emissions during manure storage.
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Rilanto T, Reimus K, Orro T, Emanuelson U, Viltrop A, Mõtus K. Culling reasons and risk factors in Estonian dairy cows. BMC Vet Res 2020; 16:173. [PMID: 32487155 PMCID: PMC7268674 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-020-02384-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Culling is a major cost for dairy farms but also an essential part in managing herd productivity. This study aimed to identify the culling rates of Estonian dairy cows, identify the farmers’ stated reasons and risk factors for culling. This observational study used registry data of all cows from herds with ≥20 cow-years in 2013–2015. Cow lactation-level analyses included data of 86,373 primiparous cows from 409 herds and 177,561 lactations of 109,295 multiparous cows from 410 herds. Weibull proportional hazard regression models were used to identify risk factors for culling due to slaughter or death. Results The overall culling rate of Estonian dairy cows was 26.24 (95% CI 26.02; 26.46) per 100 cow-years. The most common reasons farmers stated for culling were feet/claw disorders (26.4%), udder disorders (22.6%), metabolic and digestive disorders (18.1%) and fertility problems (12.5%). Animal-level risk factors for culling were Holstein breed, older parity, lower milk yield breeding value, older age at first calving, longer previous calving interval, having assisted calving, stillbirth and birth of twins/triplets. Lower milk yield, somatic cell count over 200,000 cells/ml and fat/protein ratio over 1.5 at first test-milking after calving were associated with greater culling hazard during the lactation. Cows from larger herds, herds with decreasing size and higher milk yields had a higher culling probability. Conclusions This study emphasises the need for improved management of hoof health and prevention of mastitis and metabolic diseases. It is essential to ensure easy calving and good health of cows around calving in order to lower the culling hazard.
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Affiliation(s)
- Triin Rilanto
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Science, Kreutzwaldi 62, 51006, Tartu, Estonia.
| | - Kaari Reimus
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Science, Kreutzwaldi 62, 51006, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Toomas Orro
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Science, Kreutzwaldi 62, 51006, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Ulf Emanuelson
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, SE-75007, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Arvo Viltrop
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Science, Kreutzwaldi 62, 51006, Tartu, Estonia
| | - Kerli Mõtus
- Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, Estonian University of Life Science, Kreutzwaldi 62, 51006, Tartu, Estonia
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Beaver A, Proudfoot KL, von Keyserlingk MAG. Symposium review: Considerations for the future of dairy cattle housing: An animal welfare perspective. J Dairy Sci 2020; 103:5746-5758. [PMID: 32147258 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2019-17804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Many contemporary dairy cattle housing practices are at odds with societal perceptions of positive animal welfare. The public (i.e., those external to the dairy industry) typically emphasizes the importance of naturalness for dairy cattle, such as through provision of pasture, freedom of movement, and the ability to interact socially with conspecifics. Yet, in the United States, the majority of lactating dairy cattle are reportedly housed without any access to pasture, and almost 39% of dairy farms use tiestalls, which restrict movement and social interactions. In addition to being in conflict with public expectations, a lack of pasture access and restrictive housing systems are also in conflict with the animals' own motivations, which can adversely affect their welfare. For example, dairy cattle are highly motivated to access pasture and show a reduction in oral stereotypies when allowed on pasture after periods of tethering. Calves housed without social contact have cognitive deficits and exhibit increased fear responses to novelty. We argue that the long-term sustainability of the dairy industry will depend on the extent to which housing systems reflect public concerns and the animals' priorities. The adoption of technologies, such as automated feeders and remote monitoring systems, may represent a means to practically promote the animals' natural behavior while simultaneously improving individualized care. Although older generations of the public may consider technological solutions to be a further deviation from naturalness and a departure from dairy farming's agrarian roots, the definition of "naturalness" for younger generations may well have expanded to include technology. As the buying power shifts to these younger generations, the adoption of technologies that promote natural cattle behaviors may be one means toward reconciling the disconnect between public perceptions of animal welfare and contemporary dairy farming practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annabelle Beaver
- Animal Welfare Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, 2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4 Canada
| | - Kathryn L Proudfoot
- Department of Health Management, Atlantic Veterinary College, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Ave., Charlottetown, PE, C1A 4P3 Canada
| | - Marina A G von Keyserlingk
- Animal Welfare Program, Faculty of Land and Food Systems, University of British Columbia, 2357 Main Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4 Canada.
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Abstract
In terms of animal welfare, farming systems of dairy cows are perceived positively by consumers when compared to pigs or poultry. A main reason is that the majority of consumers associate dairy farming with pasture, which in turn they relate with benefits for animal health and welfare. However, holistic scientific assessments of the effects of pasturing on animal welfare are rare. Hence, it was the aim to study the animal welfare level in 61 German loose housing dairy farms by using the measures of the Welfare Quality® protocol for dairy cattle (WQP). Data were collected twice per farm at the end of the pasture season (July to October) and approximately 6 months later at the end of the barn season (December to April). Farms were classified based on the duration cows had access to pasture per day during the pasture season: group 1 (G1)>10 h; group 2 (G2) 6 to 10 h; group 3 (G3)<6 h and group 4 (G4) without pasture access. The average herd size was 129 Holstein-Friesian or Red-Holstein cows (range 58 to 527). In addition to WQP data, performance data were gathered from routine herd data recordings. The indicators were aggregated to criteria applying the scoring system of the WQP. G4 received lower scores at the first than at the second visit for the criterion absence of hunger, while there were no differences between visits in the other groups (P=0.58 - group×farm visit effect). All pasturing groups were scored better at the end of the pasture season than G4 for the criterion comfort around resting (P<0.01). Compared with G1 for both farm visits and G2 for the end of the barn season, G4 reached inferior scores for the criterion absence of injuries, including indicators such as hairless patches, lesions, and swellings and lameness. At both assessments G2 was scored higher than the other groups for the criterion absence of diseases (P=0.04). In conclusion, pasture access had positive effects only on selected welfare indicators, however, these effects were not maintained throughout the barn season.
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