Abstract
Simple SummaryAnimal welfare is an important aspect that affects the health and productivity of dairy animals. This study reports the knowledge and opinion of dairy cattle farmers regarding dairy cattle welfare (DCW) in Keningau, Sabah. A total of 30 dairy farmers participated in the survey and the information collected includes their socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge, and opinions regarding DCW. Seventy per cent of the farmers (n = 21) had satisfactory-to-good knowledge of the DCW criteria, but their opinions differed regarding indicators of poor animal welfare. The understanding of DCW differed among farmers depending on the production level, educational status, herd size, and cattle breeds kept on the farm.This study aimed to assess the knowledge and opinions about DCW among dairy cattle farmers in Keningau, Sabah. A questionnaire was developed, validated, and administered by hand to 30 farmers. The data collected include farmers’ and farm demographics, and opinions regarding the criteria and indicators of DCW. Only 17 respondents (57%) had heard of “dairy cattle welfare” before this study. Nine farmers (30.0%) had poor knowledge about DCW criteria, whereas 13 (43.7%) and 8 (26.7%) farmers had satisfactory and good knowledge, respectively. Farmers with higher education, larger herd size, high production level, and exotic cattle breeds showed a better understanding. Farmers understood most of the indicators; however, opinions regarding cattle behavior during milking, their physical appearance and their lying down behaviour need to be improved. Nevertheless, 28 respondents ranked their animals’ welfare as either good or satisfactory, which further reflects a poor implementation of DCW measures. The main factors suggested by farmers to influence DCW in their herds were facilities, worker issues, management practices, and animal well-being. In conclusion, guidance from veterinarians and animal welfare specialists may be needed to improve the farmers’ understanding and practices of DCW.
Highlights
One of the major public concerns regarding sustainable livestock farming is animal welfare [1], and societies have been pressuring farmers and shareholders in the livestock industry towards improved animal welfare [2]
The assessment of dairy cattle welfare (DCW) has been channelled towards the application of animal-based measures (ABMs), as welfare outcomes may vary in different management systems [5]
The inclusion criteria comprised location of the farms within the study state, a 5 km radius of the milk collection centre (MCC) of Stesen Pembiakan Ternakan (SPT) Sebrang, Keningau, which is presently producing dairy cattle, records on animal health and production, and where dairy cattle farmers were willing to participate in the survey
Summary
One of the major public concerns regarding sustainable livestock farming is animal welfare [1], and societies have been pressuring farmers and shareholders in the livestock industry towards improved animal welfare [2]. Robust assessment methods are necessary to ensure animal welfare and to disseminate such information to farmers and consumers [5]. Several welfare assessment methods are available in the livestock industry, which are tailored toward specific management and farming systems. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) employed scientific opinion on the feasibility of existing welfare assessment methods in small-scale dairy farms (
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