Navigating the iceberg: reducing the number of parameters within the Welfare Quality® assessment protocol for dairy cows

AbstractWelfare of dairy cows can be assessed using welfare assessment protocols consisting of resource, management and animal-based measures. Welfare Quality® Assessment Protocol is one of the best-known protocols, which depends almost entirely on animal-based measures. To gain more objective and rapid welfare assessment, new techniques have been developed to measure welfare of animals, such as hair cortisol concentration. As cortisol is released in response to stress, it has long been used as a biomarker of stress in animals. While the precise mechanism of cortisol incorporation into hair is unknown, hair cortisol concentration seems to be a marker of long-term systemic cortisol concentration. Hair cortisol is, therefore, a potential marker of chronic stress and is not likely to be affected by acute stress. Studies on cattle show connections between hair cortisol concentration and factors such as pregnancy, parity, diseases, ectoparasites, body condition score, environmental changes, stocking density and milk yield. Hair cortisol concentration appears to be affected by time of sampling, cow age and breed, UV radiation, season, body region of sampled hair and hair colour. Its concentration also depends on sampling and analytical methods. Hair cortisol is a promising non-invasive tool to evaluate welfare of dairy cows, however, more research is needed to determine the extent of effects on its concentration and the appropriate method of sampling and analysis. Correlations between Welfare Quality® Assessment Protocol scores and pooled hair cortisol concentrations have not yet been found, and more research is needed with larger sample size, a standardized protocol of hair sampling, processing and analysis. With proper attention to detail, hair cortisol levels in pooled hair samples might come to be used as a reliable indicator of dairy animal welfare.

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A New, Practical Animal Welfare Assessment for Dairy Farmers

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11030881 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 881

Author(s):

Frank J. C. M. van Eerdenburg ◽

Alice M. Di Giacinto ◽

Jan Hulsen ◽

Bert Snel ◽

J. Arjan Stegeman

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Animal Welfare ◽

Dairy Farms ◽

Dairy Farmers ◽

Welfare Assessment ◽

Assessment Protocol ◽

Welfare Quality ◽

Set Up ◽

Category Score ◽

Poor Welfare

The Welfare Quality® assessment protocol (WQ) is the most extensive way to measure animal welfare. This study was set up to determine if resource-based welfare indicators, that are easier and faster to measure, could replace the more time consuming, animal-based measurements of the WQ. The WQ was applied on 60 dairy farms in the Netherlands, with good, moderate and poor welfare. The WQ protocol classified most farms (87%) as ‘acceptable’. Several of the animal-based measures of WQ correlated well with measures in the environment. Using these correlations, an alternative welfare assessment protocol (new Welfare Monitor) was designed, which takes approximately 1.5 h for a farm with 100 dairy cows. Because the opinion of farmers about welfare assessment is important if one wants to improve conditions for the cows at a farm, another objective of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of the new Welfare Monitor for the farmer. Over two years, the farms were visited, and advice was given to improve the conditions at the farm. After the first welfare assessment and advice, farmers improved the conditions for their cows substantially. Farms where the category score had increased made more improvements on average than those that did not upgrade.

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Screening of Selected Indicators of Dairy Cattle Welfare in Macedonia

Macedonian Veterinary Review ◽

10.14432/j.macvetrev.2014.11.031 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 38 (1) ◽

pp. 43-51 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Miroslav Radeski ◽

Aleksandar Janevski ◽

Vlatko Ilieski

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Large Scale ◽

Dairy Farms ◽

Small Scale ◽

Practical Implementation ◽

Assessment Protocol ◽

Key Points ◽

Full Protocol ◽

Alarm Threshold ◽

Welfare Quality

Abstract The welfare state of cattle in dairy farms in Macedonia has never been assessed previously. The objective of this study was to perform screening analysis of dairy cows welfare and to test the practical implementation of the Welfare Quality® Assessment protocol for cattle in dairy farms in Macedonia. In ten small scale and large scale tie stall farms 23 measures were recorded related to 9 welfare criteria of 4 welfare principles (WP) described in the Welfare Quality® Assessment protocol for dairy cows. The mean percentage of very lean cows was 40.5±9.1%. All assessed farms were not providing access to pasture and an outdoor loafing area. Regarding cleanliness, the presence of dirty udder, upper leg/flank and lower leg was 65.2±9.0%, 85.5±8.0% and 86.5±5.8%, respectively. The overall prevalence of lameness was 5.6±5.0%, and for mild and severe alterations it was 30.8±5.8% and 54.1±4.6%, respectively. The ocular and vulvar discharge, diarrhea, dystocia, percentage of downer cows and mortality rate exceeded the warning and alarm threshold. The avoidance - distance test classified 70.4±6.8% as animals that can be touched or approached closer than 50cm, with overall score of 42.9±3.5. This screening reveals that the most welfare concerns are found in the WP Good Feeding and Good Housing. The on-farm welfare assessment using the full protocol on a representative sample of farms in the country is highly recommended for emphasizing the key points for improving the animal welfare in Macedonian dairy farms.

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Welfare assessment for dairy cows in loose stalls

Veterinarski glasnik ◽

10.2298/vetgl1106399h ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 65 (5-6) ◽

pp. 399-408 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Slavca Hristov ◽

Zvonko Zlatanovic ◽

Branislav Stankovic ◽

Dusica Ostojic-Andric ◽

Vesna Davidovic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Dairy Cow ◽

Qualitative Evaluation ◽

Welfare Assessment ◽

Assessment Protocol ◽

Quantitative Measurements ◽

Welfare Quality ◽

Cow Welfare ◽

Insight Into

In this paper, welfare assessment using the methodology of the Welfare quality ? assessment protocol for cattle (2009) was performed for dairy cows maintained in the loose system of rearing on three dairy farms. This methodology includes quantitative measurements and qualitative evaluation of certain welfare parameters, criteria and principles of welfare, as well as assessment of the overall welfare of dairy cows. The results showed that the overall level of dairy cow welfare was acceptable on two farms, and was good on one. On two farms, the state of the cows? social behavior expression was unacceptable. Furthermore, on all three farms, the expression of other types of cow behavior was not acceptable. At one farm, it was determined that the result for the absence of prolonged thirst was unacceptable. Based on these results, it can be concluded that it is necessary to improve the quality of cow welfare on these farms. The applied methodology provides a multidimensional insight into the quality of cow welfare in the loose system.

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Test−Retest Reliability of the ‘Welfare Quality® Animal Welfare Assessment Protocol for Sows and Piglets’. Part 1. Assessment of the Welfare Principle of ‘Appropriate Behavior’

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani9070398 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (7) ◽

pp. 398 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Friedrich ◽

Krieter ◽

Kemper ◽

Czycholl

Keyword(s):

Animal Welfare ◽

Correlation Coefficient ◽

Retest Reliability ◽

Welfare Assessment ◽

Appropriate Behavior ◽

Assessment Protocol ◽

Smallest Detectable Change ◽

Welfare Quality ◽

Animal Welfare Assessment ◽

Test Retest Reliability

The present study’s aim was to assess the test−retest reliability (TRR) of the ‘Welfare Quality® animal welfare assessment protocol for sows and piglets’ focusing on the welfare principle ‘appropriate behavior’. TRR was calculated using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient (RS), intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), smallest detectable change (SDC), and limits of agreement (LoA). Principal component analysis (PCA) was used for deeper analysis of the Qualitative Behavior Assessment (QBA). The study was conducted on thirteen farms in Northern Germany, which were visited five times by the same observer. Farm visits 1 (F1; day 0) were compared to farm visits 2 to 5 (F2–F5). The QBA indicated no TRR when applying the statistical parameters introduced above (e.g., ‘playful‘ (F1–F4) RS 0.08 ICC 0.00 SDC 0.50 LoA [−0.62, 0.38]). The PCA detected contradictory TRR. Acceptable TRR could be found for parts of the instantaneous scan sampling (e.g., negative social behavior (F1–F3) RS 0.45 ICC 0.37 SDC 0.02 LoA [−0.03, 0.02]). The human−animal relationship test solely achieved poor TRR, whereas scans for stereotypies showed sufficient TRR (e.g., floor licking (F1–F4) RS 0.63 ICC 0.52 SDC 0.05 LoA [−0.08, 0.04]). Concluding, the principle ‘appropriate behavior’ does not represent TRR and further investigation is needed before implementation on-farm.

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Welfare Quality® for dairy cows: towards a sensor-based assessment

Journal of Dairy Research ◽

10.1017/s002202992000045x ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 87 (S1) ◽

pp. 28-33 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Francisco Maroto Molina ◽

Carlos C. Pérez Marín ◽

Laura Molina Moreno ◽

Estrella I. Agüera Buendía ◽

Dolores C. Pérez Marín

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cows ◽

Dairy Farms ◽

Assessment Method ◽

Sensor Data ◽

Objective Data ◽

Livestock Farming ◽

Precision Livestock Farming ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Social Concerns ◽

Welfare Quality

AbstractThis Research Reflection addresses the possibilities for Welfare Quality® to evolve from an assessment method based on data gathered on punctual visits to the farm to an assessment method based on sensor data. This approach could provide continuous and objective data, while being less costly and time consuming. Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) technologies enabling the monitorisation of Welfare Quality® measures are reviewed and discussed. For those measures that cannot be assessed by current technologies, some options to be developed are proposed. Picturing future dairy farms, the need for multipurpose and non-invasive PLF technologies is stated, in order to avoid an excessive artificialisation of the production system. Social concerns regarding digitalisation are also discussed.

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Description and factors of variation of the overall health score in French dairy cattle herds using the Welfare Quality® assessment protocol

Preventive Veterinary Medicine ◽

10.1016/j.prevetmed.2013.07.018 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 112 (3-4) ◽

pp. 296-308 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

M. Coignard ◽

R. Guatteo ◽

I. Veissier ◽

A. de Boyer des Roches ◽

L. Mounier ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dairy Cattle ◽

Health Score ◽

Assessment Protocol ◽

Welfare Quality ◽

Cattle Herds

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Dairy cows welfare quality in loose vs tie housing system

Biotechnology in Animal Husbandry ◽

10.2298/bah1103975o ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 27 (3) ◽

pp. 975-984 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

D. Ostojic-Andric ◽

S. Hristov ◽

Z. Novakovic ◽

V. Pantelic ◽

M.M. Petrovic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Parameters ◽

Health Condition ◽

Housing System ◽

Assessment Protocol ◽

Housing Systems ◽

Dairy Animals ◽

Welfare Quality ◽

Cow Welfare ◽

Lying Down

The subject of this research was to determine the effect of the housing system on quality of welfare of dairy cattle in Serbia. Study was realized on six farms, capacity of 30 to 900 cows, with loose and tie housing system. Assessment of the welfare quality parameters was done by using the Welfare Quality? Assessment Protocol for Cattle, 2009. Results of the research show that the welfare quality of dairy animals is under the significant effect of housing system, and that loose system has the advantage when it comes to comfort around resting, easy of movements and health condition of cows. Share of not lame cows (81%) and cows with no lesion (86%) was significantly higher (p<0.01) in loose system. Indicator values: duration of lying down movements (6.53 sec), lying down movements with collisions (18.7%) and lying outside lying area (28.4%) in tie system were significantly higher (p<0.01) compared to loose system indicating the inadequacy of the housing and lack of comfort. Analysis of indicators associated with cow hygiene (dirty legs and udder) and diseases (dystocia) points to significant gaps in management in both housing systems which represent significant threat to cow welfare quality.

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Beef cattle welfare - risks and assurance

Biotechnology in Animal Husbandry ◽

10.2298/bah1503313o ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 31 (3) ◽

pp. 313-326 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

D. Ostojic-Andric ◽

S. Aleksic ◽

M.M. Petrovic ◽

V. Pantelic ◽

N. Stanisic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Beef Cattle ◽

Respiratory Diseases ◽

Animal Husbandry ◽

Beef Production ◽

Improvement Strategy ◽

Assessment Protocol ◽

Pain And Suffering ◽

Digestive Disorders ◽

Welfare Quality ◽

Poor Welfare

Beef production is widespread all over the world but the legislation regarding welfare area of beef cattle is not specifically addressed and fully implemented. Beef cattle welfare assurance affects not only animals but is also a question of ethics and products quality. Today, it is possible to determine welfare quality state in feedlots through relevant methodology such is Welfare Quality? Assessment Protocol applied to fattening cattle. It enables implementation of improvement strategy regarding identified risks and causes of poor welfare. Different literature sources, based on welfare risk assessment, indicate major welfare problems in cattle kept for beef production. According to them, respiratory diseases are usually linked to overstocking, inadequate ventilation, mixing of animals and failure of early diagnosis and treatment. In addition, digestive disorders are associated with intensive concentrate feeding, lack of physically effective fibre in the diet whilst behavioral disorders comes as a consequence of inadequate floor space, and commingling in the feedlot. Particular welfare problems are related to the implementation of animal husbandry methods-mutilation, which expose animals to pain and suffering. This paper gives a review of most important beef cattle welfare topics including recommendations for its assurance and improvement.

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Possible improvement of measures within the principle ‘appropriate behaviour’ of the Welfare Quality® boiler assessment protocol

10.18174/499603 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Ingrid de Jong ◽

◽

Johan van Riel ◽

Tosca Hoevenaar ◽

Thea van Niekerk ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Assessment Protocol ◽

Welfare Quality

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