Abstract
Simple SummaryEuropean sustainability-oriented policies aim to encourage organic (ORG) farming practices since they are considered to be more resilient than conventional (CONV) ones and to grant higher animal welfare standards. On the other hand, animals farmed organically are considered at higher risk of parasitic infections, since grazing could expose animals to higher parasite load. Considering the contrasting data present in literature, the present work aims to investigate and compare the animal welfare conditions and gastrointestinal distribution in ORG and CONV dairy farms in central Italy. Animals from ORG farms involved in this study presented significantly less skin damages in the rear legs than animals from CONV farms. No significant differences were found for any of the other welfare-related parameters and for parasite prevalence. Results highlight that ORG farming did not have a negative impact on animal welfare and that pasture access, provided in ORG farms, did not negatively impact parasite prevalence.The study investigated and compared welfare conditions and gastrointestinal (GI) parasites distribution among organic (ORG) and conventional (CONV) farms in central Italy. Five ORG and five CONV farms were assessed for animal welfare with an adapted version of the AssureWel protocol. Faecal samples collected from the rectum of the animals both in ORG (n = 150) and CONV (n = 150) were analysed using conventional copromiscroscopy. The presence of skin damages in the rear legs was significantly predominant (p < 0.001) in CONV (26.7%) compared with ORG farms (10.0%). No differences were found for lameness, cleanliness, Body Condition Score, hair loss, body lesions and swelling prevalence. Data concerning the productive performances, e.g., total milk, fat and protein yields standardised in mature equivalent (ME) were collected. ME milk yield (ORG: 9656.9 ± 1620.7 kg; CONV: 12,047.2 ± 2635.3) and ME fat yield (ORG: 396.6 ± 66.8; CONV: 450.3 ± 102.8) were significantly lower in ORG farms (p < 0.001). Anthelmintics were used regularly in 4/5 CONV and 0/5 ORG farms. In 2 CONV farms (40%) and 4 ORGs (80%) at least one animal tested positive for GI parasites. No significant differences in parasites prevalence emerged (ORG = 10.7%; CONV = 8%). These data indicate that ORG farming does not influence parasite prevalence and animal welfare status.
Highlights
Some of the actions promoted by the European Green Deal [1], and in particular by the “Farm to Fork” strategy [2], aim to reduce inputs in primary production
ORG farms are considered to improve animal welfare compared with CONV farms and to be more respectful of the environment [6,7], even if contrasting data are available in literature
The data reported in this study suggest that ORG farming has a beneficial impact on rear leg conditions, as lesions in organically managed animals were significantly less frequent than in CONV farms, in accordance with the results of other studies [27,28,52,53,54]
Summary
Some of the actions promoted by the European Green Deal [1], and in particular by the “Farm to Fork” strategy [2], aim to reduce inputs in primary production. As for all European Countries, the Italian, organic production is regulated by the European Council Regulation No 2018/848 [4], that defines several differences between organic (ORG) and conventional (CONV) farm systems [5]. ORG dairy cattle farming is characterised by high-roughage diets based on home-grown feedstuffs, outdoor access on pasture and restrictive use of antibiotics. ORG farms are considered to improve animal welfare compared with CONV farms and to be more respectful of the environment [6,7], even if contrasting data are available in literature. Little evidence is available on a higher standard of animal welfare in ORG vs CONV farms to date [10,11]
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