ANIMAL-WELFARE ON DAIRY FARMS

The importance of animal welfare considerations to the productive efficiency of the dairy cow becomes apparent when one considers the various ways in which the well-being of the dairy herd may be compromised without resulting necessarily in a perceived 'disease' problem. It is evident, also, that the dairy industry has to take into account the perception of the consumer in regard to the conditions under which all foods of animal origin, including milk, are produced at a time when issues of animal health and welfare are being addressed on a much wider basis. The author discussed the impact of animal welfare considerations on diary production with particular reference to cowshed design, milking practice, aspects of nutrition, and breeding and calving policy.