Italian Journal of Animal Science (Dec 2020)

Relationship between quality of facilities, animal-based welfare indicators and measures of reproductive and productive performances on dairy farms in the northwest of Spain

  • Sonia Verdes,
  • Yolanda Trillo,
  • Ana I. Peña,
  • Pedro G. Herradón,
  • Juan J. Becerra,
  • Luis A. Quintela

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/1828051X.2020.1743784
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 19, no. 1
pp. 319 – 329

Abstract

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The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of facility comfort level on animal-based welfare indicators as well as on productive and reproductive parameters of 187 dairy farms in the northwest of Spain. Fifty-eight facility-based parameters, which included both housing facilities and management parameters, were evaluated in each farm and used to classify the 187 farms in 5 groups (from 1: top farms to 5: worst farms). Animal-based welfare indicators and reproductive and productive parameters were compared among farm groups. Lameness score significantly differed (p < .005) in top farms (67% of cows having normal gait) versus groups 4 (55%) and 5 (53%). The proportion of cows with dirty lower legs and udder was lower (p < .05) in top farms (80% and 31%, respectively) than in groups 4 (92% and 51%) and 5 (95% and 56%). Other animal-based indicators were not different among farm groups. Heat detection rate was higher (p < .001) in top farms (56.5%) versus groups 4 (51%) and 5 (47%), and milk production/cow/day was also significantly higher (p < .001) in top farms (34.4 L) versus groups 3 (31.2 L), 4 (30.5 L) and 5 (27.4 L). Other reproductive or productive parameters were not different among farm groups. Facility-based measures were compared only between the top and worst farms. In top farms, most facility-based parameters met the welfare-related objectives, whereas in the worst farms only a few facility-based parameters met the welfare objectives.Highlights Fifty-eight facility-based parameters, including housing measures and some management practices, were evaluated and scored in 187 dairy farms. Top-performing farms (i.e. with the best scores) had lower incidence of lameness and of cows with dirty legs and udder than poor-performing farms. Top-performing farms had higher rates of heat detection and higher milk production/cow/day than poor-performing farms.

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