Document type: scientific article published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science
Authors: Anna Rademann, Marie Louise Schneider, Andreas Futschik, Grahame Coleman, Susanne Waiblinger
Abstract in French (translation): Attitudes and Empathy of Dairy Farmers, and Cattle Reactions to Humans in Cow-Calf Contact Systems Compared to Early Separation
A good relationship between farmers and non-human animals (NHAs) has positive effects on the well-being of various species, such as cattle, due to the interplay between human attitudes, human behaviors, and, consequently, the behaviors and well-being of non-human animals. Raising dairy calves using the “cow-calf contact” (CCC) method may offer well-being benefits and is attracting growing interest among farmers, often motivated by the opportunity to allow cattle to exhibit more natural behaviors. Thus, the attitudes of farmers practicing CCC toward cattle and their relationships with them may differ from those of farmers practicing early separation (ES) of calves from their mothers. Furthermore, CCC rearing carries the risk of reduced contact between humans and calves once bucket feeding ceases.
We therefore studied the human-cattle relationship on 25 dairy farms practicing CCC and 25 practicing early separation (ES) of the cow and calf, i.e., within 24 hours of birth. Farmers’ attitudes (n = 57 for CCC and n = 57 for ES) toward cows and their handling—as predictors of their handling behavior and indicators of their relationship with the livestock—as well as farmers’ empathy toward non-human animals (NHAs), were assessed using questionnaires. The avoidance distance of calves, heifers, and cows—reflecting the livestock’s relationship with humans—was assessed.
Principal component analysis revealed 14 attitude components and one empathy component. Potential differences between the attitudes and empathy of CCC and ES farmers were assessed using mixed-effects linear models. Linear regression models were fitted to examine potential differences between housing systems regarding the percentage of heifers or cows that could be touched, the median avoidance distance, and the percentage exhibiting an avoidance distance ≥ 50 cm. For calf avoidance distance, a mixed-effects linear model was used to account for different test sites. Farmers practicing cow-calf contact were more attuned to the cows’ needs, placed greater value on positive interactions with them, and tended to be less tolerant of impatient behaviors during handling than ES farmers. Empathy was correlated with nearly all attitude components. There was no difference in the avoidance distance of calves and cows between the CCC and ES systems, but heifers in the CCC system exhibited higher avoidance distances than those in the ES system. Several attitude components were found to be predictive factors of avoidance distance from livestock.
The results indicate more positive attitudes among farmers in the CCC group, the absence of an overall effect of the CCC rearing method on avoidance distance, as well as associations between attitudes and avoidance distance.
Preview:
A good relationship between stockpeople and non-human animals (NHA) has positive effects on the welfare of different species such as cattle through the sequential relationship of human attitudes, human behaviour and, subsequently, NHA behaviour and welfare. Cow-calf contact (CCC) rearing of dairy calves can enable welfare benefits and is increasingly gaining farmers’ interest, often motivated by the possibility to offer cattle the opportunity for more natural behaviours. Thus, CCC farmers’ attitudes towards cattle and their relationship with them may differ from those who practise early separation (ES) of calf and cow. Moreover, CCC rearing bears the risk for reduced human-calf contact when bucket feeding ceases.
Thus, we studied the human-cattle-relationship on 25 dairy farms that practised CCC and 25 that practised ES of cow and calf, i.e. within 24 h after birth. Farmers’ (n = 57 each for CCC and ES) attitudes towards cows and handling them, being predictors for their handling behaviour and a proxy for the relationship with cattle, as well as farmers’ empathy with NHA were assessed using questionnaires. The avoidance distance (AD) of calves, heifers, and cows, reflecting the cattle’s relationship to humans, was assessed.
Principal component analysis revealed 14 attitude and one empathy component. Potential differences between CCC and ES farmers’ attitudes and empathy were evaluated by linear mixed models. Linear regression models were fitted to investigate potential differences between rearing systems in the percentage of heifers or cows that could be touched, the median AD, and the percentage with an AD ≥ 50 cm. For calves’ AD, a linear mixed model was used to account for different test locations. Cow-calf contact farmers agreed more on cows’ needs, liked positive contact with cows more and tended to agree less on impatient behaviour during moving than ES farmers. Empathy correlated with almost all attitude components. There was no difference in the AD of CCC and ES calves and cows, but CCC heifers had higher ADs than ES heifers. Several attitude components were predictors for the cattle’s AD.
The results indicate more positive attitudes among CCC farmers, no general effect of CCC on the AD, and associations between attitudes and AD.
