scholarly journals Health and welfare in organic livestock production systems—a systematic mapping of current knowledge

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magdalena Presto Åkerfeldt ◽  
Stefan Gunnarsson ◽  
Gun Bernes ◽  
Isabel Blanco-Penedo
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Parasite Load ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Scientific Publications ◽  
Organic Dairy ◽  
Sheep Production ◽  
Species Specific

AbstractThis review aimed to systematically map and summarize the status of animal health and welfare in organic production. The prevalence of diseases and behavioural effects in organic dairy cow, beef cattle, sheep, pig, laying hen and broiler chicken were discussed in the context of the organic values and current knowledge on animal health and welfare. In total 166 peer-reviewed scientific publications between 2008 and 2020 were included. No strong evidence for neither inferior nor distinctly higher animal welfare in organic compared with conventional production could be supported. The welfare status of organic livestock is in general good in relation to the OIE definition of animal health and welfare. However, organic systems are still facing several challenges related to animal health and the arising of goal conflicts due to management and practical implications. Greater possibilities to perform species-specific behaviours in organic production systems, however, indicate that the organic standards offer a good framework for high animal welfare management. For organic dairy farmers, the main health problems are similar to those of non-organic farms; especially mastitis and lameness need improvement. Parasites, together with mastitis and lamb mortality, are important welfare issues in organic sheep production. Piglet mortality, leg problems, parasite load and increasing respiratory problems are of major relevance in organic pig production. For organic laying hens, major health challenges relate to feather pecking and cannibalism, parasites and possibilities to express species-specific behaviours. For organic broilers, dermatitis of footpads, hocks and breast are reported as main health issues.

Animal health and welfare in organic livestock production – a review of the current situation

2003 ◽  
Vol 2003 ◽  
pp. 238-238
Author(s):  
M. Hovi
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Livestock Production ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Conventional Systems ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Organic Livestock Production ◽  
Organic Standards

According to the EC Regulation 1804/99, health and welfare of organic livestock should be promoted primarily by preventive measures using appropriate breeds, feeds and feeding practices and husbandry techniques for the species in question and by implementing stable social conditions for breeding animals (CEC, 1999). Whilst the EC Regulation on organic livestock production came into force fairly recently in August 2000 and has hardly had a chance to have an impact on existing organic production systems, there is a growing body of epidemiological evidence on the impact of organic management on the health and welfare of livestock. Furthermore, a three-year networking project, the Network for Animal Health and Welfare in Organic Agriculture (NAHWOA), between 17 institutes from 13 different EU countries has recently published their conclusions and recommendations on animal health and welfare in organic production systems (Anon, 2002). A recent review of literature (Hovi et al., in press) and the NAHWOA conclusions suggest that animal health situation in organic livestock systems is similar to that found in conventional systems. Some differences in the prevalence of different conditions exist. A typical example of higher dry period but lower lactation period levels of mastitis in organic than in conventional systems is presented in Figure 1. It has been suggested that the minimal organic standards and their implementation via certification procedure are likely to provide several preconditions for good living conditions for farm animals (Sundrum, 2001), and the NAHWOA concludes that the current evidence supports the claim that organic livestock production often provides better welfare than conventional production systems, particularly by providing more freedom for species-specific behaviour for livestock. It has, however, been suggested that the organic standards do not necessarily provide a balanced approach to animal welfare and that some conflicts between welfare aims and other organic farming objectives may exist (Anon, 2002). An example of how experts perceive the impact of organic standards on animal welfare is given in Figure 2.

scholarly journals Pig Farming in Alternative Systems: Strengths and Challenges in Terms of Animal Welfare, Biosecurity, Animal Health and Pork Safety

Agriculture ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maxime Delsart ◽  
Françoise Pol ◽  
Barbara Dufour ◽  
Nicolas Rose ◽  
Christelle Fablet
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Alternative Systems ◽  
Conventional Farms ◽  
Real Challenge

In pig production, the widespread conventional indoor system with a slatted floor currently dominates. However, this production system is becoming less socially acceptable. In addition to general environmental protection issues, animal welfare, the absence of suffering and distress, and the management of pain also constitute societal concerns. In this context, alternative production systems are gaining ground. Although they are popular with consumers and other citizens, these alternative systems have their critical points. Here, we reviewed the international scientific literature to establish the state of the art of current knowledge regarding welfare, biosecurity, animal health and pork safety in this type of farming system. In general, alternative farms give pigs the opportunity to express a broader range of behaviours than conventional farms. However, the management of feeding, watering, temperature and predators is often more complicated in these outdoor systems. In addition, biosecurity measures seem to be applied less strictly in alternative farms than in conventional farms, especially in free-range systems, where they are more difficult to implement. On the other hand, pigs kept in these farming systems seem to be less affected by respiratory diseases, but parasitism and piglet crushing (in farrowing units) both remain a real challenge. Furthermore, the higher prevalence of many zoonotic pathogens in these farms may represent a risk for human health.

Invited review: Importance of animal health and welfare for the stability of the three pillars of sustainability of livestock systems

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 208-214
Author(s):  
P. Chemineau
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Population Increase ◽  
Strong Interactions ◽  
Essential Components ◽  
The Future ◽  
The Stability ◽  
Livestock Systems

The future livestock systems at the world level will have to produce more in the perspective of the population increase in the next 30 years, whereas reducing their environmental footprint and addressing societal concerns. In that perspective, we may wonder if animal health and animal welfare, which are two essential components of production systems, may play an important role in the stability of the three pillars of sustainability of the livestock systems. We already know that objectives driven by economy, environment and society may modify animal welfare and animal health, but is the reverse true? The answer is yes and in 11 cases out of 12 of the matrix health-welfare×3 pillars of sustainability×positive or negative change, we have many examples indicating that animal health and animal welfare are able to modify, positively or negatively, the three pillars of sustainability. Moreover, we also have good examples of strong interactions between health and welfare. These elements play in favour of an holistic approach at the farm level and of a multicriterial definition of what could be the sustainable systems of animal production in the future which will respect animal welfare and maintain a good animal health.

scholarly journals Animal Health and Welfare Issues Facing Organic Production Systems

Animals ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 1021-1035 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mhairi Sutherland ◽  
Jim Webster ◽  
Ian Sutherland
Keyword(s):  
Production Systems ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Organic Production

scholarly journals Effect of Intensification Practices, Lambing Period and Environmental Parameters on Animal Health, and Milk Yield and Quality in Dairy Sheep Production Systems on Crete

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (17) ◽  
pp. 9706
Author(s):  
Nikolaos Voutzourakis ◽  
Alexandros Stefanakis ◽  
Sokratis Stergiadis ◽  
Leonidas Rempelos ◽  
Nikolaos Tzanidakis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Bovine Milk ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Intensive Production ◽  
Sheep Production ◽  
The Impact

Due to increasing demand, many traditional, grazing-based Mediterranean sheep production systems have introduced intensified feeding regimes, increased investments in infrastructure and drug use to increase milk yields. However, compared to bovine milk production systems, there is limited knowledge about the impact of these intensification practices on animal welfare and health and on the quality of dairy products. The aim of this study was therefore to quantify the effects of management practices and environmental conditions background on udder health, parasitism and milk quantity and quality in Cretan traditional production systems. Milk yields were higher in semi-intensive production systems while concentrations of several nutritionally desirable compounds such as omega-3 fatty acids were found to be higher in milk from extensive systems. Antibiotic and anthelmintic use was relatively low in both extensive and semi-intensive production systems. There was no substantial difference in parasitic burden, somatic cell counts, and microbiological parameters assessed in milk. Recording of flock health parameters showed that animal health and welfare was high in both extensive and semi-intensively managed flocks, and that overall, the health status of extensively managed ewes was slightly better. In contrast, environmental conditions (temperature and rainfall) had a substantial effect on parasitism and milk quality.

Farm animal welfare: the future.

2020 ◽  
pp. 173-190
Author(s):  
Alistair Stott ◽  
Bouda Vosough Ahmadi
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Livestock Production ◽  
Farm Animal ◽  
Management Approach ◽  
Farm Animal Welfare ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
The Future ◽  
Animal Welfare Science

Abstract Science can help us understand what animals want and economics can provide the understanding of human motivation needed to deliver such wants. In our view, what needs further development in future is for economics and information/communication science and technology to channel awareness into appropriate action. This chapter elaborates on this idea by providing some illustrative examples. Focusing on animal health and welfare, it argues that there is much scope for improvement in profit and welfare on commercial farms simply by adopting the best disease management approach available. We also emphasize the importance of systems modelling and operations research (OR) in the future to ensure that animal welfare taps into the growing opportunities that developments in these methods are likely to bring. The chapter also argues that OR can provide a bridge between animal welfare science, economics and business to deliver improvements in animal welfare through food markets. The importance of big data and precision livestock farming in livestock production/reproduction, animal health and welfare, and the environmental impact of livestock production are also discussed. New genetic approaches to optimize livestock resilience and efficiency are highlighted. We argue that tackling difficult problems, such as sustainability (that encompasses animal welfare alongside environment and climate change), efficiency and resilience in farm animal production systems, is and will remain a vital focus of research in the agri-food sector. Research methods and governance still need to change to properly reflect this. It is envisaged that animal welfare will be affected by these developments and should, wherever appropriate, be explicitly considered.

scholarly journals Main Factors Affecting Animal Welfare and Meat Quality in Lambs for Slaughter in Chile

Animals ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen Gallo ◽  
Juan Tarumán ◽  
Cristian Larrondo
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Meat Quality ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Animal Origin ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Long Distance Transport ◽  
The People ◽  
Sheep Production ◽  
Quality Of Products

Consumers have become increasingly demanding about the quality of products of animal origin, particularly regarding animal welfare during production, transport, and slaughter. The aim of the present study was to review the factors affecting the welfare of lambs for slaughter in Chile and show the implications on meat quality. Rounding up and driving the lambs from the fields in large extensive production systems and long distance transport through difficult geographical routes affect the blood variable indicators of stress and reduces muscle glycogen reserves, increasing the risk of high pH of meat. In small farmer sheep production conditions there is a lack of appropriate installations for loading/unloading and deficiencies in vehicle structure specific for lambs; this together with the work of untrained handlers results in a high percentage of mortality and bruised carcasses, compared to European studies. These problems are common for other South American countries and should be addressed firstly by educating and training all the people involved in the lamb meat chain regarding animal welfare. In Chile there is legislation, ongoing since 2013, regarding the protection of animals during production, transport, and slaughter, including compulsory training of animal handlers and livestock transporters, which should improve animal welfare and meat quality.

scholarly journals Animal Welfare Management in a Digital World

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1779 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry Buller ◽  
Harry Blokhuis ◽  
Kees Lokhorst ◽  
Mathieu Silberberg ◽  
Isabelle Veissier
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Digital Revolution ◽  
Daily Monitoring ◽  
Multiple Sensors ◽  
Digital World ◽  
Wide Range

Although there now exists a wide range of policies, instruments and regulations, in Europe and increasingly beyond, to improve and safeguard the welfare of farmed animals, there remain persistent and significant welfare issues in virtually all types of animal production systems ranging from high prevalence of lameness to limited possibilities to express natural behaviours. Protocols and indicators, such as those provided by Welfare Quality, mean that animal welfare can nowadays be regularly measured and surveyed at the farm level. However, the digital revolution in agriculture opens possibilities to quantify animal welfare using multiple sensors and data analytics. This allows daily monitoring of animal welfare at the group and individual animal level, for example, by measuring changes in behaviour patterns or physiological parameters. The present paper explores the potential for developing innovations in digital technologies to improve the management of animal welfare at the farm, during transport or at slaughter. We conclude that the innovations in Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) offer significant opportunities for a more holistic, evidence-based approach to the monitoring and surveillance of farmed animal welfare. To date, the emphasis in much PLF technologies has been on animal health and productivity. This paper argues that this emphasis should not come to define welfare. What is now needed is a coming together of industry, scientists, food chain actors, policy-makers and NGOs to develop and use the promise of PLF for the creative and effective improvement of farmed animal welfare.

scholarly journals Consumer acceptance and willingness to pay for cow housing systems in eight European countries

Q Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan E Waldrop ◽  
Jutta Roosen
Keyword(s):  
Willingness To Pay ◽  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Choice Experiment ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Organic Production ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Consumer Acceptance ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Housing Systems ◽  
Floor System

Abstract Free walk housing systems aim to address major animal health issues for dairy cows and support higher animal welfare. The purpose of this study is to estimate consumer acceptance of different housing systems and willingness to pay (WTP) for milk from tie-stall, cubicle, compost bedded, and artificial floor housing systems in addition to attitudes towards animal welfare. Focus groups were held to identify the pertinent concepts for an online quantitative survey conducted in eight European countries. A discrete choice experiment was included for estimating WTP. Consumers are found to care about animal welfare and grazing. Results indicate consumers like the compost bedded system the best followed by the artificial floor system; however, no positive WTP for these systems was found. Consumers seem to find the current labeling rules regarding organic production and grazing sufficiently informative. The results can help producers make more informed investment and marketing decisions regarding cow husbandry.

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