A survey on dairy production in family dairy farms in the northwest of Santa Catarina, Brazil, was carried out to assess husbandry practices and elements of the living environment that may influence ...animal welfare and productivity. Three farm systems common in the region were compared: extensive, pasture-based, and semi-intensive. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews with farmers, followed by an inspection of the production environment and of dairy cows on 124 dairy farms. Some welfare and production problems were common to the 3 systems, mainly subclinical mastitis and tick infestations, which affected one-third of cows, deficiencies in the provision of drinking water and shade, and poor hygiene practices during milking. Some problems were specific to farming systems, such as lameness and hock injuries on the semi-intensive farms, and inadequate milking infrastructure and greater frequencies of cows with low body condition scores on extensive and pasture-based farms. A greater proportion of farms in the semi-intensive group had modern, herringbone-type milking parlors, applied the California Mastitis Test, and followed teat disinfection practices, and more pasture-based farms provided shade in the paddocks. The widespread use of pasture and adapted genotypes and individual identification of animals were positive aspects present in all systems. The absence of health and production records in more than half of the farms may prevent farmers from recognizing certain problems. Results of this survey may guide public policies aiming to improve milk productivity and quality with sustainable and low-cost production practices.
The KArlsruhe TRItium Neutrino (KATRIN) experiment will measure the absolute mass scale of neutrinos with a sensitivity of mν = 200 meV c2 by high-precision spectroscopy close to the tritium β-decay ...endpoint at 18.6 keV. Its Windowless Gaseous Tritium Source (WGTS) is a β-decay source of high intensity (1011 s−1) and stability, where high-purity molecular tritium at 30 K is circulated in a closed loop with a yearly throughput of 10 kg. To limit systematic effects the column density of the source has to be stabilized at the 10−3 level. This requires extensive sensor instrumentation and dedicated control and monitoring systems for parameters such as the beam tube temperature, injection pressure, gas composition and so on. In this paper, we give an overview of these systems including a dedicated laser-Raman system as well as several β-decay activity monitors. We also report on the results of the WGTS demonstrator and other large-scale test experiments giving proof-of-principle that all parameters relevant to the systematics can be controlled and monitored on the 10−3 level or better. As a result of these works, the WGTS systematics can be controlled within stringent margins, enabling the KATRIN experiment to explore the neutrino mass scale with the design sensitivity.
The majority of dairy calves around the world are dehorned with methods that cause them pain and distress. In some dairy production systems, extensionists may influence dehorning practices used on ...farm through their advisory and knowledge-transfer role. The aims of this study were to investigate Brazilian extensionists’ knowledge, beliefs, and behavior regarding dehorning dairy calves. As little research has addressed this question, a qualitative, theory-building approach was used and the theory of planned behavior was used as a conceptual framework to guide data collection and analysis. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 15 extensionists working in Santa Catarina, Brazil, to examine their role in the adoption and rejection of pain-mitigation strategies at dehorning. The interview transcripts were free coded, identifying 9 major themes within and across interviews. Transcribed interview responses were then coded to constructs in the theory of planned behavior. The themes and constructs that emerged through analysis of the interview responses were combined to develop a conceptual model of extensionists’ beliefs, attitudes, and behavior toward recommending protocols for dehorning aimed at minimizing pain. The extensionists interviewed believed that it was necessary to dehorn all dairy replacement heifers. Despite being aware of methods to minimize pain during and after dehorning, all of the interviewees recommended or used the hot cautery method, with no pain control. This method was described as the most effective, cheapest, safest, and fastest method of dehorning. The majority (12) of interviewees rejected the caustic paste method, citing negative past experiences or unfamiliarity with the method and the belief that the method is less practical and riskier for farmers. More than half of the interviewees did not recognize dehorning as painful or expressed the belief that the pain associated with the procedure did not justify the use of pain control. Although a small number of extensionists (4) recognized potential sources of social pressure to change, including the rejection of pain-inflicting practices by some farmers, the Brazilian general public, and animal-protection societies, they did not identify these factors as a reason to change their existing practices. Interviewees expressed the belief that the adoption of practices to minimize pain and stress, such as dehorning very young calves, using caustic paste and pain control, would increase labor and costs associated with dehorning. Extensionists’ negative attitudes toward recommending practices that minimize pain during and after dehorning appear to be embedded in the production-focused political and economic agriculture environment and a lack of education, research, and legislation regarding farm animal welfare.
Abstract
Agriculture, with livestock production playing a major role, is the main economic activity to an estimated 16.5 million people in Brazil, or over 20% of the economically active population. ...Animal welfare is increasingly recognized throughout the world as an important item in the social sustainability of livestock production. In Brazil discussions on the issue are usually centered on potential impacts on livestock exports, a key component of the Brazilian GDP. Until recently it was commonly assumed that Brazilians had little interest in farm animal welfare. However, studies on Brazilian public attitudes suggest that, although citizens know little about the way farm animals are reared, they express preferences for production systems that allow animals to move, provide good care and high quality feeding. Many perceive that to achieve this, animals must be reared in pasture or outdoor based, and with minimal use of chemical inputs. In contrast, attitudes towards farm animal welfare among industry stakeholders (e.g., advisors, farmers, industry representatives, technical agriculture college teachers and university faculty) tend to be production oriented, and thus focused on biological functioning. These long standing attitudes are grounded on a production-focused political and economic environment that has dominated Brazilian agriculture policies since the early 20th century. The disconnection between citizens and the stakeholders that are in a position to fulfill their expectations may be a barrier for change. However, the growing recognition of the relevance of animal welfare for trade is changing industry discourses and some practices in the country. For the same reason, retailers are also slowly adopting the global discourse of farm animal protection, which to some extent is also forcing changes. The implications for the sustainability of the Brazilian livestock industry, and potential paths to address animal welfare in this scenario will be discussed.
Key Words:
Agriculture, with livestock production playing a major role, is the main economic activity to an estimated 16.5 million people in Brazil, or over 20% of the economically active population. Animal ...welfare is increasingly recognized throughout the world as an important item in the social sustainability of livestock production. In Brazil discussions on the issue are usually centered on potential impacts on livestock exports, a key component of the Brazilian GDP. Until recently it was commonly assumed that Brazilians had little interest in farm animal welfare. However, studies on Brazilian public attitudes suggest that, although citizens know little about the way farm animals are reared, they express preferences for production systems that allow animals to move, provide good care and high quality feeding. Many perceive that to achieve this, animals must be reared in pasture or outdoor based, and with minimal use of chemical inputs. In contrast, attitudes towards farm animal welfare among industry stakeholders (e.g., advisors, farmers, industry representatives, technical agriculture college teachers and university faculty) tend to be production oriented, and thus focused on biological functioning. These long standing attitudes are grounded on a production-focused political and economic environment that has dominated Brazilian agriculture policies since the early 20th century. The disconnection between citizens and the stakeholders that are in a position to fulfill their expectations may be a barrier for change. However, the growing recognition of the relevance of animal welfare for trade is changing industry discourses and some practices in the country. For the same reason, retailers are also slowly adopting the global discourse of farm animal protection, which to some extent is also forcing changes. The implications for the sustainability of the Brazilian livestock industry, and potential paths to address animal welfare in this scenario will be discussed.
This study aimed to determine which behaviours were provoked in lambs in response to the separation from their dams or to the changes associated with feeding and separation from adults at weaning. ...Fourteen lambs were separated from their dams at 24–36h after birth and artificially reared (AR) in presence of four adult ewes, while another 13 lambs remained with their dams from birth (DR). At 75days of age on average (day 0) DR lambs were separated from their dams and AR lambs no longer received sheep’s milk and were separated from adults. Behaviours were recorded every 10min (6h per day) from day −3 to day 4. We observed an increase (p<0.05) in pacing behaviour, as well as in the frequency in which lambs were observed vocalizing, walking and staying under shade, and a decrease (p<0.05) in the frequency of grazing in the DR group in comparison to AR at weaning, but there were no differences in body weight gain from day −4 to day 5 after weaning. Additionally, we observed a decrease in the frequency in which lambs were observed standing and grazing (p<0.05), and an increase in vocalizing and staying under shade (p<0.05) in group AR at weaning in comparison to the previous days. Therefore, it was concluded that although some specific behaviours as pacing or vocalizing were clearly related with the separation from the mother at weaning, the change of food and separation from adults must be also considered as an important stressor in grazing lambs at weaning. In addition, the provision of shade when grazing is also important for lambs at the time of weaning.
Intensive pig production systems are a source of stress, which is linked to reduced animal welfare and increased antimicrobial use. As the gatekeepers of the welfare of the animals under their care, ...farmers are seen as the stakeholder responsible for improving animal welfare. The aim of this study was to explore the knowledge and attitudes of pig farmers towards pig welfare and the impact of such attitudes on farmers' selection of management strategies on the farm. We conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with 44 pig farmers in one of the main pig producing regions of Brazil. Interviews covered knowledge and attitudes towards pig sentience and behaviour and welfare-related issues commonly observed in intensive pig farms (belly-nosing, fights, tail-biting, diarrhoea and castration without pain control) and farmers' conception and attitudes towards pig welfare. We identified many management and animal-based indicators of poor welfare, such as the use of painful and stressful management practices and use of environments that limit the expression of natural behaviours. However, most farmers were satisfied with animal welfare standards at their farms. Farmers' perceptions are aligned with their understanding of animal welfare. Although they identified all the dimensions that impact the welfare of a pig on a farm (affect, biological functioning and naturalness), their social reality, industry demands and available advice pushed them to perceive their range of action limited to biological and environmental aspects of the animals that do not necessarily benefit affective state. This precluded farmers from making associations between good health and the animal's ability to express a full behavioural repertoire, as well as from viewing abnormal behaviours as problems. The negative consequences for the welfare of the animals were commonly alleviated by routines that relied on constant use of medication, including high dependence on antibiotics. Expressions of estrangement from the production chain were common voices among the participants. This suggests that farmers may not be sufficiently informed or engaged in responding to consumers' expectations and commitments made by companies, which can pose a severe economic risk for farmers. The findings of this study indicate that economic, technical and social factors restrict farmers' autonomy and their ability to perform their role as stewards of animal welfare. (Re)connecting different human, animal and environmental interests may be a step to changing this scenario.
Abrupt weaning, a usual management in sheep productive systems, may provoke behavioural and physiological responses indicative of stress in ewes and lambs. Progesterone (P4) has anxiolytic and ...sedative effects through the union of its metabolites that contain 3α-hydroxyl group to the γ-aminobutyricacidA receptor. Our first aim was to determine whether P4 administration reduces the behavioural and physiological responses of ewes to abrupt weaning of lambs. A complementary aim was to determine whether P4 treatment affects the milk yield and composition of ewes, and the BW of their lambs. In experiment 1, seven ewes received P4 treatment for 32 days (group E1-P4), and eight ewes remained as an untreated control group (group E1-C). BW of the lambs was recorded during P4 treatment. Lambs were weaned at 59 days (Day 0 = weaning). The main behaviours of the ewes before and after weaning were recorded using 10 min scan sampling. The ewes’ serum total protein, albumin and globulin concentrations were measured before and after weaning of the lambs. In experiment 2, milk yield and composition were determined in two different groups of six ewes treated with P4 (group E2-P4) for 16 days and in five untreated controls (group E2-C). The BW of lambs increased with time (P = 0.001) in both groups and did not differ. The percentage of observations in which the ewes were seen pacing on Day 0 was greater in the E1-C group than in the E1-P4 group (P = 0.0007). Similarly, the percentage of observations in which the ewes were recorded vocalizing on Day 0 was greater in the E1-C group than in the E1-P4 group (P = 0.04). The percentage of observations in which E1-C ewes were recorded lying did not change from Days 0 to 1; however, it increased in E1-P4 ewes. Total serum protein concentration did not change in E1-P4 ewes from Days 0 to 3, although a decrease was seen in E1-C ewes (P = 0.04). Serum globulin concentration was greater in E1-P4 ewes on Day 3 than in E1-C ewes (P = 0.0008). In experiment 2, there were no differences between E2-P4 and E2-C ewes in terms of milk yield, protein, fat and lactose content. Progesterone administration reduced the behavioural and physiological responses of ewes to abrupt weaning of lambs, and this effect was not mediated by changes in milk yield and composition, or by lambs’ BW.
1. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the residual effects of two windrow composting methods for reused litter on its quality (pH, moisture, ammonia), ammonia (NH ₃) volatilisation and the ...prevalence (scores 0–4) of foot pad dermatitis (FPD) and hock burn (HB) on d 1, 7, 14 and 21 of age in broilers. Litter was allowed to compost for 8 d within a 14-d interval between flocks. 2. The composting methods studied were with or without a PVC plastic sheet. The same procedures were applied for three consecutive flocks, with litter initially having been used for 12 flocks. Data were analysed with a mixed model of repeated measures of day, with main effects and interactions of day, composting method, litter age (block) and house nested within method. 3. At d 1, litter NH ₃ and NH ₃ volatilisation were higher in the covered litter method. Litter moisture increased to 45.3% as broilers aged. The incidence of FPD also increased with age. No signs of HB were found in any bird throughout the trials. 4. There was no effect of litter composting methods on the prevalence of FPD or body weight at any age. 5. Litter moisture should be controlled to avoid NH ₃ volatilisation reaching critical levels. Windrow composting of litter with a PVC plastic sheet may not be required when considering the broiler housing environment.
Lameness and lying behavior in grazing dairy cows Thompson, A.J.; Weary, D.M.; Bran, J.A. ...
Journal of dairy science,
July 2019, 2019-Jul, 2019-07-00, 20190701, Letnik:
102, Številka:
7
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
Lameness is a serious welfare issue for dairy cows. To date, the majority of studies have focused on its effect on health and behavior at the herd level. The objectives of this study were to identify ...(1) between-cow and (2) within-cow changes in lying behavior associated with consistent and changing lameness status in grazing dairy cows. Previous studies of lying behavior in grazing dairy cows have not considered the effect of precipitation, so a third aim was to determine the effect of precipitation on lying behavior. A total of 252 dairy cows from 6 pasture-based farms in southern Brazil were gait scored weekly to assess lameness using a 5-point scale 1–5, numerical rating score (NRS) for 4 consecutive weeks. Cows were considered to have consistent lameness if they were scored as lame (NRS ≥3) on each of the 4 visits and considered to have a changing lameness status if scored as being nonlame (NRS <3) on at least 1 of the 4 visits. Cows classified as having a changing lameness status were further classified as developed, recovered, or inconsistent. Lying behavior (daily lying time, mean lying bout duration, and daily number of lying bouts) was recorded continuously for 3 wk using leg-mounted accelerometers. Cow-level variables included parity, days in milk, and body condition score. Regional precipitation and temperature were recorded hourly. Because only 1 primiparous cow was identified as lame at each of the 4 visits, the between-cow analysis of lameness was run on multiparous cows only. The overall prevalence of clinical lameness on the first visit was 39%, with development and recovery rates of 16 and 10% over the 4 visits, respectively. The between-cow effect of consistent lameness status on daily lying time and number of lying bouts was dependent on precipitation; consistently lame cows had reduced lying time and lying bouts on days with rain compared with days without rain. There was no within-cow effect of changing lameness status on any of the lying behaviors. Precipitation was associated with decreased daily lying time, increased mean lying bout duration, and decreased daily number of lying bouts. The results of this research provide the first evidence that the effect of consistent lameness status on lying behavior is associated with rainfall in grazing dairy cows. Future work measuring lying behavior of grazing dairy cows should include precipitation as a covariate.
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