Animal category: Cattle

The effects of farming systems (organic vs. conventional) on dairy cow welfare, based on the Welfare Quality® protocol

K. Wagner, J. Brinkmann, A. Bergschmidt, C. Renziehausen, S. Marcha

Published in 2021

Scientific article comparing the welfare levels of German conventional and organic dairy farms, using the Welfare Quality protocol. It shows that organic farms score better on the 4 main Welfare Quality principles, although there is wide variation between farms operating under the same farming system. Nevertheless, there is room for improvement on organic farms in the area of health.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Societal issues, Welfare indicators, Livestock farming system

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The effects of heat stress on the behaviour of dairy cows - a review

Piotr Herbut,Gundula Hoffmann, Sabina Angrecka, Dorota Godyń, Frederico Márcio Corrêa Vieira, Krzysztof Adamczyk, Robert Kupczyński

Published in 2021

A scientific review reporting on behavioural changes in dairy cows exposed to heat stress conditions and discussing herd management strategies to mitigate the consequences of excessive temperatures on animal welfare.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Living environment, Livestock farming system

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Slaughter of Pregnant Cattle at an Austrian Abattoir: Prevalence and Gestational Age

Ignaz Zitterer, Peter Paulsen

Published in 2021

Scientific paper to determine the percentage of pregnant cows and heifers slaughtered in a medium-sized Austrian slaughterhouse. The observed prevalences are much higher than estimated (6.4% as against an estimated 2.5%). The article recommends that measures should be taken to avoid sending pregnant cows to slaughter for ethical and public health reasons.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Societal issues, Stress

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Prevalence of Potential Indicators of Welfare Status in Young Calves at Meat Processing Premises in New Zealand

Anna L. Palmer, Ngaio J. Beausoleil, Alana C. Boulton, Naomi Cogger

Published in 2021

A scientific paper assessing the welfare of calves in the holding areas of abattoirs in New Zealand, using group and individual animal-based indicators. It proposes relevant indicators, recommending that they should be systematically incorporated into the protocols used to assess the welfare of calves at slaughter.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Anxiety, Consciousness, Fear, Stress

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National Assembly: Written answer to question n°39648: Mesures d’accompagnement pour le développement des abattoirs mobiles en France

Question: Loïc Dombreval (La République en Marche - Alpes-Maritimes). Answer: French Ministry of Agriculture and Food

Published in 2021

Answer to a parliamentary question on the government's support measures for France's first mobile abattoir project, and whether the recovery plan could help the development of this new slaughtering method.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Animal categories: Bovines, Caprines, Ovines

Keywords:Consciousness, Pain, Carcass quality, Societal issues, Processing

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Determination of static space requirements for finishing bulls based on image analysis

N. Volkmann, J. Stracke, S.L. Rauterberg, B. Spindler, N. Kemper

Published in 2021

Scientific paper providing information on the space requirements of finishing bulls to ensure their welfare. It focuses on the space occupied when motionless in the standing and lying positions and concludes that further studies are needed to take into account the space requirements of bulls to allow movement and social interactions.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Housing, Livestock buildings, Livestock farming system

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Public Views of Dairy Calf Welfare and Dairy Consumption Habits of American Youth and Adults

Rielle K. Perttu, Beth A. Ventura, Aaron K. Rendahl, Marcia I. Endres

Published in 2021

Scientific article presenting the results of an opinion poll on the welfare of dairy calves and the consumption of dairy products by Americans. The most important requirement for the calves in the view of all participants concerned their physical welfare, with a 'natural' lifestyle, humane treatment and the emotional state of the animals coming a distant second. The majority (94%) of respondents were consumers of dairy products.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords: Societal issues, Welfare indicators, Human-animal relationships

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Invited review: Freedom from thirst-Do dairy cows and calves have sufficient access to drinking water?

Margit BakJensen, Mogens Vestergaard

Published in 2021

Scientific review of what is known about the water requirements of 1) young calves, depending on their feeding regime (ad libitum or limited milk), state of health and ambient temperature; 2) dairy cows, depending on their milk yield, feed composition and housing (under cover or on pasture). It concludes that research on the length and positioning of water troughs is needed.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Enrichment, Lactation, Housing, Livestock farming system, Welfare indicators

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Dairy Cows Activity under Heat Stress: A Case Study in Spain

Adrián Ramón-Moragues, Patricia Carulla, Carlos Mínguez, Arantxa Villagrá, Fernando Estellés

Published in 2021

Scientific paper on work to assess the effects of heat stress on the behaviour of dairy cows using activity sensors to record 6 different behaviours, ambient temperature and humidity. It shows that raised temperatures and a higher heat index lead to an increase in general activity, changes in feeding habits and a decrease in rumination and resting behaviours, all of which are detrimental to animal welfare.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Precision farming, Welfare indicators, Stress

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European Parliament: Written answer to Question E-002137/2021: The case of the Gulf Livestock 2 vessel and its non-compliance with live animal transport legislation

Question: Marisa Matias (The Left), Anja Hazekamp (The Left. Answer: Ms Kyriakides on behalf of the European Community

Published in 2021

Answer to a question about serious non-compliance found on a Portuguese vessel carrying live calves where poor welfare conditions were evident.

Document types: Regulation/Certification

Category of animals: Bovines, Caprines, Ovines, Porcines

Keywords: Societal issues, Transport

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