Identification of Suitable Animal Welfare Assessment Measures for Extensive Beef Systems in New Zealand

Y Kaurivi,Kevin Stafford,Rebecca Hickson,Tim Parkinson,Richard Laven

doi:10.3390/agriculture9030066

Y Kaurivi, Kevin Stafford + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture9030066

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Journal: Agriculture	Publication Date: Mar 25, 2019
Citations: 18	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Massey University

Abstract

Farm animal welfare assessment protocols use different measures depending on production systems and the purpose of the assessment. There is no standardized validated animal welfare protocol for the assessment of beef cattle farms in New Zealand, despite the importance of beef exports to the country. The aim of this study was therefore to identify welfare measures that would be suitable for an animal welfare assessment protocol for use in extensive pasture-based cow–calf beef cattle systems in New Zealand. The proposed animal welfare assessment measures were selected from the Welfare Quality protocol and the rangeland-based UC Davis Cow–Calf Health and Handling assessment protocol. Measures that were deemed impractical and/or unsuitable were excluded from the protocol. After testing the applicability of selected measures at one farm, additional measures that were deemed to be practical to undertake in New Zealand were identified and incorporated into the protocol. The intention was to identify animal welfare indicators that were assessable in the yard during a single farm visit, a questionnaire guided interview, and a farm resource assessment visit that evaluated cattle health and management. Further testing of the 50 measures that were identified as being appropriate will be undertaken on commercial beef farms to develop a practicable welfare protocol for extensive pasture-based beef systems.

Highlights

IntroductionHigh animal welfare standards are increasingly being requested by consumers of animal products [1], so farm assurance schemes that include animal welfare are being used in many systems
High animal welfare standards are increasingly being requested by consumers of animal products [1], so farm assurance schemes that include animal welfare are being used in many systems.This led to the development of animal welfare assessment protocols for a range of farm animal species in a range of production systems [2]
Similar issues apply in regard to assessing welfare on extensive cow–calf beef farms in New Zealand, as the focus of many welfare assessments is on growing cattle managed in intensive beef production systems, which are completely different to extensive operations [6]

Summary

Introduction

High animal welfare standards are increasingly being requested by consumers of animal products [1], so farm assurance schemes that include animal welfare are being used in many systems. This led to the development of animal welfare assessment protocols for a range of farm animal species in a range of production systems [2]. Similar issues apply in regard to assessing welfare on extensive cow–calf beef farms in New Zealand, as the focus of many welfare assessments (e.g., welfare quality) is on growing cattle managed in intensive beef production systems, which are completely different to extensive operations [6]. The rangeland-based UC Davis Cow–Calf Health and Handling assessment is based on an extensive system [7], it does not entirely fit the pasture-based

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