Public attitudes toward dairy farm practices and technology related to milk production.

Lexis H Ly,Erin B Ryan,Daniel M Weary,Lynn Jayne Frewer

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0250850

Abstract

Dairy farm systems have intensified to meet growing demands for animal products, but public opposition to this intensification has also grown due, in part, to concerns about animal welfare. One approach to addressing challenges in agricultural systems has been through the addition of new technologies, including genetic modification. Previous studies have reported some public resistance towards the use of these technologies in agriculture, but this research has assessed public attitudes toward individual practices and technologies and few studies have examined a range of practices on dairy farms. In the present study, we presented participants with four scenarios describing dairy practices (cow-calf separation, the fate of excess dairy calves, pasture access and disbudding). Citizens from Canada and the United States (n = 650) indicated their support (on a 7-point scale) toward five approaches (maintaining standard farm practice, using a naturalistic approach, using a technological approach, or switching to plant-based or yeast-based milk production) aimed at addressing the welfare issues associated with the four dairy practices. Respondents also provided a text-based rationale for their responses and answered a series of demographic questions including age, gender, and diet. Participant diet affected attitudes toward milk alternatives, with vegetarians and vegans showing more support for the plant-based and yeast-based milk production. Regardless of diet, most participants opposed genetic modification technologies and supported more naturalistic practices. Qualitative responses provided insight into participants’ values and concerns, and illustrated a variety of perceived benefits and concerns related to the options presented. Common themes included animal welfare, ethics of animal use, and opposition toward technology. We conclude that Canadian and US citizens consider multiple aspects of farm systems when contemplating animal welfare concerns, and tend to favor naturalistic approaches over technological solutions, especially when the latter are based on genetic modification.

Highlights

As farm systems have intensified [1] so has public concern due, in part, to perceptions about animal welfare [2, 3]
Public attitudes toward dairy farm practices and technology related to milk production One approach to addressing animal welfare-related challenges in agricultural systems is through technological solutions
Public attitudes toward dairy farm practices and technology related to milk production Access n = 170), as our preliminary analysis indicated that the quantity and quality of openended responses declined after the first response, and the content of responses was often repetitive

Summary

Introduction

As farm systems have intensified [1] so has public concern due, in part, to perceptions about animal welfare [2, 3]. Public attitudes toward dairy farm practices and technology related to milk production One approach to addressing animal welfare-related challenges in agricultural systems is through technological solutions. A variety of plant-based ‘milk’ products have been developed that consumers may prefer for environmental, health, or welfare reasons [16] These alternative products have seen rapid growth in US markets, while dairy milk consumption has declined [17]. Little research has examined public attitudes toward the use of GM technologies that are intended to address ethical concerns associated with farm practices, and previous research has considered individual practices in isolation. Our study aims to understand attitudes toward technological and other approaches that could be used to address welfare concerns related to cow-calf separation, the fate of excess calves, pasture access and disbudding.

Participants

Results

Conclusions