Abstract
Background: There has been very little previous research in Ireland on the farmers' opinions regarding calf welfare issues. Calf welfare, particularly for male dairy calves, has assumed greater importance in Ireland in recent years due, in part, to an increase in the number of dairy cattle over the past decade. The objective of this study was to explore dairy farmers' views on a broad range of issues related to the expansion in the dairy herd.Methods: A survey was developed to capture the views of farmers regarding male dairy calves. The majority of questions were quantitative, and a final open-ended question collected qualitative data. The survey was distributed to ~2,900 dairy farmers via text message and 881 responses were received.Results: The sample was composed almost entirely of dairy farmers, although ~20% also had a beef enterprise on their farm. Fifty eight percent of the farmers were concerned with the increase in the number of male dairy calves in recent years. The EU's abolition of milk quotas, the profitability of dairy farming compared to other farm types, and guidance from farm advisors were the three highest ranked drivers behind the increase in the number of male dairy calves. The three highest ranked options for managing the number of male dairy calves were to increase exports, encourage greater use of sexed semen, and improve the beef merit of these calves. Eighty five percent of respondents stated that individual farmers had responsibility for making changes to the number of male dairy calves. The main themes arising from analysis of the responses to the open-ended question, seeking any additional comments, were breed, beef price, live exports, and sexed semen.Conclusions: Dairy farmers recognized the responsibility they have for making changes in respect of male dairy calves, and many demonstrated a willingness to make changes in this regard. The important role of other stakeholders, particularly suckler (system where reared from calf to beef) farmers, in rearing male dairy calves for beef production was also recognized. However, the issues of who bears the risks and costs associated with greater integration will have to be carefully considered.
Highlights
Since 2015, with the abolition of milk quotas in the European Union, there has been considerable expansion in the Irish dairy industry [1]
In Europe and North America, the majority of male dairy calves contribute to the red meat industry [9], but the move to New Zealand type genetics in Ireland has led to increased numbers of calves with inferior beef characteristics, which beef farmers have difficulty in making a reasonable economic margin on
Despite the importance of the farmer’s role in improving welfare, very few previous studies have sought Irish farmers’ views on how male dairy calves should be managed and this study aims to fill a gap in the existing literature. Given this dearth of knowledge, the objective of this study was to gather information on the perspectives of Irish dairy farmers regarding the issue of male dairy calves and on their preferred potential policy responses to manage the number of male calves
Summary
Since 2015, with the abolition of milk quotas in the European Union, there has been considerable expansion in the Irish dairy industry [1]. The significant increase in New Zealand dairy production since 1990 [6] led to a focus on traits for dairy productivity. This resulted in the male progeny from such cows, Jersey and Jersey/Holstein-Friesian cross, having inferior beef characteristics, with the majority of these calves being slaughtered [7]. In Europe and North America, the majority of male dairy calves contribute to the red meat industry [9], but the move to New Zealand type genetics in Ireland has led to increased numbers of calves with inferior beef characteristics, which beef farmers have difficulty in making a reasonable economic margin on. The objective of this study was to explore dairy farmers’ views on a broad range of issues related to the expansion in the dairy herd
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