scholarly journals Smart Products in Livestock Farming—An Empirical Study on the Attitudes of German Farmers

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1055
Author(s):  
Sirkka Schukat ◽  
Heinke Heise
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Daily Work ◽  
General Trust ◽  
Smart Products ◽  
Smart Farming ◽  
Livestock Farmers

In recent years, the fourth industrial revolution has found its way into agriculture. Under the term smart farming, various so-called smart products are offered that may positively influence both the daily work of farmers and animal welfare. These smart products can collect data from the farm, extract important information, and in some cases even make decisions independently. Particularly in Germany, where intensive livestock farming is criticized by society, such smart products could make a significant contribution to improving animal welfare. However, an important prerequisite is the acceptance of the users, who are usually the livestock farmers themselves. So far, there is little knowledge about farmers’ attitudes towards smart products in livestock production. In this study, a factor analysis and a cluster analysis are conducted to evaluate the attitudes of German livestock farmers towards smart products. Based on the analysis of an online questionnaire in which German livestock farmers (n = 422) participated, four clusters could be derived. The main distinguishing characteristics of the clusters are the influence of the social environment, the expected effort for implementation, the general trust in smart products, and the technology readiness of the farms. As a result, this study provides valuable insights for technology providers of smart products for livestock farming as well as for policy makers.

scholarly journals Does Smart Farming Improve or Damage Animal Welfare? Technology and What Animals Want

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marian Stamp Dawkins
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Critical Factor ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Good Health ◽  
Computer Algorithms ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Common View ◽  
The Public ◽  
Smart Farming

“Smart” or “precision” farming has revolutionized crop agriculture but its application to livestock farming has raised ethical concerns because of its possible adverse effects on animal welfare. With rising public concern for animal welfare across the world, some people see the efficiency gains offered by the new technology as a direct threat to the animals themselves, allowing producers to get “more for less” in the interests of profit. Others see major welfare advantages through life-long health monitoring, delivery of individual care and optimization of environmental conditions. The answer to the question of whether smart farming improves or damages animal welfare is likely to depend on three main factors. Firstly, much will depend on how welfare is defined and the extent to which politicians, scientists, farmers and members of the public can agree on what welfare means and so come to a common view on how to judge how it is impacted by technology. Defining welfare as a combination of good health and what the animals themselves want provides a unifying and animal-centered way forward. It can also be directly adapted for computer recognition of welfare. A second critical factor will be whether high welfare standards are made a priority within smart farming systems. To achieve this, it will be necessary both to develop computer algorithms that can recognize welfare to the satisfaction of both the public and farmers and also to build good welfare into the control and decision-making of smart systems. What will matter most in the end, however, is a third factor, which is whether smart farming can actually deliver its promised improvements in animal welfare when applied in the real world. An ethical evaluation will only be possible when the new technologies are more widely deployed on commercial farms and their full social, environmental, financial and welfare implications become apparent.

Cow Talk

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Moran ◽  
Rebecca Doyle
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Training Programs ◽  
Live Weight ◽  
Dairy Farms ◽  
Dairy Production ◽  
Health Production ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Sustainable Systems ◽  
Small Holder

The aim of this manual is to improve the welfare of dairy cattle in tropical developing countries, and by doing so, optimise cow and herd performance. It gives the stockmen and farmers directly concerned with the cattle a better understanding of animal behaviour and the ways cattle communicate their comfort or distress. The book discusses normal cattle behaviour and shows how domestication and breeding can affect behaviour to achieve high levels of production of milk, live weight gain and fertility. Animal welfare is important for producers because it can affect the health, production and contentment of cows. Animal welfare practices which adversely affect cow and herd performance on tropical small holder dairy farms are identified. Advice is then given to change the animal's environment or modify a handler's technique to ensure cattle have the degree of comfort needed to achieve more profitable and sustainable systems of livestock farming. Cow Talk will be a beneficial resource for farmers who want to improve animal welfare, farm advisers who can assist farmers to improve their welfare practices, educators who develop training programs for farmers and dairy advisers, and other stakeholders in tropical dairy production such as local agribusiness, policy makers and research scientists.

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 Animal welfare and other ethical implications of Precision Livestock Farming technology

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Juliette Schillings ◽  
Richard Bennett ◽  
David Christian Rose
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Precision Livestock Farming ◽  
Ethical Implications

AbstractIn this commentary, we explore the risks and challenges associated with Precision Livestock Farming technologies based on an online workshop with over 70 international animal welfare experts, policy-makers, NGO, students, farmers and industry staff.

Improving animal welfare: a practical approach

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Practical Approach ◽  
Fish Welfare ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Organic Farms ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Agricultural Animal ◽  
Animal Care

Abstract The third edition of this book contains a total of 20 chapters (including 3 new chapters), including the implementation of an effective animal welfare programme; the importance of measurement to improve the welfare of livestock, poultry and fish; the social and ethical importance of agricultural animal welfare; the implementation of effective animal-based measurements for assessing animal welfare on farms and slaughter plants; how to improve livestock handling and reduce stress; painful husbandry procedures in livestock and poultry; the importance of good stockmanship and its benefits to animals; in-farm considerations of animal behaviour and emotions; improving livestock, poultry and fish welfare in slaughter plants with auditing programmes and animal-based measures; recommended on-farm euthanasia practices; welfare during transport of livestock and poultry; animal well-being on organic farms; a practical approach on sustainability for supply chain managers of meat, dairy and other animal proteins; the effect of economic factors on the welfare of livestock and poultry; practical approaches for changing and improving animal care and welfare; successful technology transfer of behavioural and animal welfare research to the farm and slaughter plant; technological innovations for individualized animal care and welfare; technology designed to enhance poultry welfare; precision livestock farming and technology in swine welfare and practical methods for improving the welfare of horses, donkeys and mules. There is also a list of videos that will allow students to see different types of farms and technology for raising broiler chickens, cattle, laying hens and pigs. This book provides practical information which will enable veterinarians, managers, animal scientists and policy makers to improve welfare. It will be especially useful for training animal welfare specialists.

scholarly journals Understanding German Pig Farmers’ Intentions to Design and Construct Pig Housing for the Improvement of Animal Welfare

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1760
Author(s):  
Carolin Winkel ◽  
Marie von Meyer-Höfer ◽  
Heinke Heise
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Behavioral Control ◽  
Farm Animal ◽  
Perceived Behavioral Control ◽  
Path Modeling ◽  
Farm Animal Welfare ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Intrinsic Factors ◽  
The Impact

Improving farm animal welfare requires modifications to the behavior of many stakeholders. Investments in more animal-friendly barns to improve animal welfare have already been made by some farmers. However, more farmers must be persuaded to modernize their barns. The marketing of animal-friendly products is the responsibility of retailers, and consumers have to purchase these products. Currently, little is known about what (and how) underlying psychological factors influence a farmer’s intention to construct pig housing to improve farm animal welfare. Pig farmers in Germany were questioned via an online questionnaire in May 2020 (n = 424). Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), partial least squares path modeling was used. The constructs: attitude, subjective norm, direct and indirect experience associated with the construction of pig housing substantially influenced the farmers’ behaviors. As expected, the impact of perceived behavioral control on intention was negative but was also very low and only slightly significant. Contrary to expectations, the perceived behavioral control had no significant influence on farmers’ behaviors. Pig farmers who have already rebuilt their pigs’ housing should be motivated to share their experiences to influence their colleagues’ intentions to construct. Our results will encourage policy makers to consider the important role of the different psychological and intrinsic factors influencing pig farmers. Thus, the sustainability of pig farming can be improved by giving politicians a better understanding of farmers’ behaviors.

Hill farming - An opinion on the future

2011 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
G.W. Sheath
Keyword(s):  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
The Future ◽  
Hill Farming

This paper is not a formal review of hill farming literature. Rather, it is my view on the critical challenges and changes that we need to deal with if mixed livestock farming on hill lands is to be successful over the next 20 years. It is my hope that industry leaders, policy makers and agribusiness managers will give consideration to these views. Some people say that it is not smart to look into the rear-vision mirror, but I do not agree. Having a better understanding of the consequences of past events can help guide future decisions and changes.

scholarly journals Precision Technologies to Address Dairy Cattle Welfare: Focus on Lameness, Mastitis and Body Condition

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 2253
Author(s):  
Severiano R. Silva ◽  
José P. Araujo ◽  
Cristina Guedes ◽  
Flávio Silva ◽  
Mariana Almeida ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Farm Animals ◽  
Economic Sustainability ◽  
Farm Animal Welfare ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Technological Support ◽  
Technological Tools ◽  
Cow Welfare ◽  
Time Assessment

Specific animal-based indicators that can be used to predict animal welfare have been the core of protocols for assessing the welfare of farm animals, such as those produced by the Welfare Quality project. At the same time, the contribution of technological tools for the accurate and real-time assessment of farm animal welfare is also evident. The solutions based on technological tools fit into the precision livestock farming (PLF) concept, which has improved productivity, economic sustainability, and animal welfare in dairy farms. PLF has been adopted recently; nevertheless, the need for technological support on farms is getting more and more attention and has translated into significant scientific contributions in various fields of the dairy industry, but with an emphasis on the health and welfare of the cows. This review aims to present the recent advances of PLF in dairy cow welfare, particularly in the assessment of lameness, mastitis, and body condition, which are among the most relevant animal-based indications for the welfare of cows. Finally, a discussion is presented on the possibility of integrating the information obtained by PLF into a welfare assessment framework.

scholarly journals Assessing the Impacts of Land Use and land cover change on Pastoral Livestock Farming in South-Eastern Burkina Faso

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie A. KIMA ◽  
A. A OKHIMAMHE ◽  
Andre KIEMA
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Burkina Faso ◽  
Information Source ◽  
Fuel Wood ◽  
Landsat Images ◽  
Livestock Farming ◽  
Poor Access ◽  
Livestock Farmers ◽  
Landsat Satellite ◽  
The Impact

<p class="1Body">Conversion of pastures to cropland is one of the most important issues facing livestock farming in Burkina Faso. This study examined the impact of land use/cover change on pastoral livestock farming in Boulgou province between 1980 and 2013. Landsat satellite images (1989, 2001 and 2013) and socio-economic data were analysed. The interpretation of the classified Landsat images revealed an increase in cropland from 20.5% in 1989 to 36.7% in 2013. This resulted mainly from the conversion of woody savannah and shrub and grass savannah to cropland. Pastoral livestock farmers reported that the major drivers of vegetation loss were drought (95.1 %), population growth (91.8%), cropland increase (91.4%), extraction of fuel wood (69.8%) and increase in livestock population (65.4). These changes affect livestock farming through reduction of pasture, poor access to water and reduction of livestock mobility routes according to the farmers. This calls for regional and national policies to protect grazing areas in Burkina Faso that are similar to policies being implemented for forest and other types of vegetation cover in other countries. For such pastoral policies to be successful, issues concerning the mobility of livestock farmers must be enshrined into such policies and this study is an example of information source for these policies.</p>

scholarly journals Application of theory of planned behaviour in purchasing intention and consumption of Halal food

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (5) ◽  
pp. 635-647 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Mei Soon ◽  
Carol Wallace
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Animal Welfare ◽  
Theory Of Planned Behaviour ◽  
Food Service ◽  
Food Products ◽  
Meat Production ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Planned Behaviour ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Purchasing Intention

Purpose Food businesses provide Halal food to cater to the dietary requirements of Muslims, especially in communities with a growing number of the ethnic minority and at public institutions such as higher education establishments. A large and growing body of literature has investigated the purchasing and consumption behaviour of Halal food, and there are also studies that revealed consumers who do not support Halal food products on the grounds of animal welfare where animals were slaughtered without stunning. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to examine the predictors of purchasing intention of Halal food products and perceptions of animal welfare among Muslims and non-Muslim consumers of a public higher education institution. Design/methodology/approach An online questionnaire collected information on sociodemographic profiles and importance of Halal food. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the frequency of distribution of all sociodemographic characteristics. Multiple regression analyses were used to describe the theory of planned behaviour relationship and purchasing intention. Findings The regression model for all the respondents explained about 73 per cent of the variance of the intent to purchase Halal foods where R2 = 0.724 (adjusted R2 = 0.72). This was significantly different from zero F(3, 185) = 162.130, p < 0.001. Both Muslim and non-Muslim consumers’ attitudes were significant predictors of their purchasing intention of Halal foods (β = 0.87, p < 0.001). The implications of subjective norms and perceived behavioural control and the lack of influence from these predictors are discussed. Originality/value This study revealed that both Muslim and non-Muslim consumers agreed on the importance of animal welfare, but there exist differences in perceptions of animal welfare in Halal meat production. This research is of value to those working in regulatory and food service settings in understanding the differences and needs of consumers, and it contributes to a better understanding of the customers within a university setting.

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