Different Approaches to Assess the Welfare of Dairy Cows with Some Results in Serbia

In this paper, different methodologies for assessing the welfare of dairy cows, such as Animal Needs Index, system of welfare indicators, system of behaviour indicators and the Welfare Quality® assessment protocol for cattle were discussed. Also, the results of the usage of these methodologies in Serbia were analyzed. In the last several years in the country, numerous studies have been conducted about welfare of dairy cattle. State of welfare of dairy cows, on farms with tied and free system estimated by mentioned methodologies was generally acceptable. The major problems in the welfare of cows are insufficient amounts of floor litter, lack of cow access to outdoor runs or pasture, occurrence of lameness, dystocia, downer cow syndrome and mortality, the manifestation of aggression between the animals and improper relationship between stockmen and animals. On the basis of the results, it can be stated that in Serbia only recently enough attention has been paid to monitoring and understanding the current welfare state of dairy cows, which are the first important steps to achieve improvements in practical terms

Reproductive and Related Disorders on Dairy Farms with Different Levels of Welfare Quality

In this paper reproductive results of six dairy cows farms with total of 766 (farm 1 – 107; farm 2 –175; farm 3 – 49; farm 4 – 400; farm 5 –20 and farm 6 – 11 milking cows) with different system of rearing and welfare level were analyzed. A dairy cow reproductive efficiency is a key factor for milk production - impaired reproductive performance is a major cause of reduced production in dairy industry. Welfare and reproductive disorders data were collected by questionnaire regarding criteria of Animal Need Index (ANI – Bartussek et al., 2000) and compared by multidimensional criteria of total discriminating effect. Possibility of movement, lighting and air quality in the accommodation facility, type and quality of floor, possibility of social contacts with other cows and interaction of stockman with cattle were compared and analysed in respect of farm welfare. In respect to the welfare level of lowest ranked farm (farm 6), farms 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 were ranked as 4th, 2nd, 1st, 5th, 3rd, and 6th, respectively, but in respect to the reproductive and related disorders occurrence rate lowest ranked farm (farm 4), farms 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 were ranked as 1st, 4th, 2nd, 6th, 5th and 3rd. Discrepancy derives from the fact that reproduction data were collected for a year, while welfare assessment describes reached level in on particular moment of time, not covering all potential causes of reproductive disorders. Reduced reproductive success would seem promising as information about poor farm welfare, although good results often are not related to good welfare. Nevertheless, assessed welfare protection level provides important information about herd health and potential reproduction problems, pointing out that there are many opportunities for improving the quality of the welfare of dairy cows, mostly through improving the housing conditions of dairy cows