Dairy Cow Behaviour

Summary

This transcript discusses research aimed at improving animal welfare in cattle farming by observing and measuring their natural behaviors. The study emphasizes the importance of allowing cows to express innate behaviors, such as isolating before calving. Researchers aim to establish science-backed guidelines for better management practices, fostering a proactive approach in the industry. Key findings include calves responding positively to environmental changes, indicating their well-being. The overall goal is to create a robust foundation for future research that enhances animal care standards and addresses consumer concerns about animal welfare.

Takeaways

• 😀 Animal welfare involves more than health; it includes allowing natural behaviors and assessing overall life satisfaction.
• 😀 Researchers use hides to facilitate the observation of cattle's natural behaviors, emphasizing choice and freedom.
• 😀 New Zealand's farming environment allows cows more opportunities for natural behaviors, like grazing, compared to other regions.
• 😀 The goal is to measure positive feelings in calves, using experiments that link stimuli (like lights) to desired outcomes.
• 😀 The calves' anticipation and excitement when accessing a play area indicate positive experiences and emotional states.
• 😀 This research provides a foundation for developing scientific guidelines to enhance animal welfare practices on farms.
• 😀 There is an increasing consumer interest in understanding animal emotions, driving industries to adopt higher welfare standards.
• 😀 The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) sets welfare codes that guide animal care, with industries aiming to exceed these minimum standards.
• 😀 The research aims to create a science-based approach for proactive welfare improvements, easing industry defenses against criticism.
• 😀 Future studies will focus on developing measures that can effectively assess the quality of life for farmed animals.

Q & A

What is the primary goal of the research on cattle behavior?

The primary goal is to observe and measure farmed animals' behavior under various conditions to create science-backed guidelines for better management practices that enhance animal welfare.

How is animal welfare defined in this research context?

Animal welfare encompasses not only the health and production of the animal but also its ability to express natural behaviors and its overall feelings about its life.

What specific behavior is being monitored using hides in the research?

The research uses hides to monitor natural behaviors of cows, particularly their preference for isolation when close to calving.

Why is New Zealand considered fortunate in terms of cattle behavior?

New Zealand's farming practices allow animals to perform natural behaviors, such as grazing, which is not possible in many other farming systems worldwide.

What is the concept of 'positive effect' as discussed in the trial?

The 'positive effect' refers to measuring positive feelings in animals, which is an increasingly important aspect of assessing animal welfare.

What experiment was conducted with the calves in the study?

Calves were taught that when a light flashed, a door would open, allowing them to access an alternative play area, which demonstrated their anticipation and enjoyment.

What behaviors did the calves exhibit when given access to the alternative pen?

The calves showed excitement by running back and forth between their home pen and the alternative pen, and they engaged in 'floor play' by rubbing their heads on a novel substrate.

How does this research contribute to farmers in the future?

This foundational research provides a science-based basis for future studies that can help farmers improve animal welfare and management practices.

What challenges do industries face regarding proactive measures in animal welfare?

Industries often face a fear of being proactive due to potential unforeseen challenges, making it easier to defend actions based on scientific research rather than historical practices.

What are the codes of welfare mentioned, and how do they relate to the study?

Codes of welfare set by MPI provide guidelines for the care of animals, and the research aims to identify areas for improvement within these established standards.