© british nutrition foundation 2012 health and welfare of dairy cows

© BRITISH NUTRITION FOUNDATION 2012

Health and welfare of dairy cows


Leaning objectives

•To recall the five freedoms for animals.

•To understand the importance of maintaining the health and welfare of dairy cows.

•To recognise the prevention and treatment of common health problems in cows.


Importance of health and welfare

The health and welfare of dairy cows are the top priorities for every dairy farmer.

Health, welfare and longevity are prioritised over milk yield.

The farmers on all 15,700 of the UK's dairy farms make sure their cows are given the best possible care with nutritious feed, plenty of water and spacious sheds and pastures.

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Five Freedoms

The Farm Animal Welfare Council's 'Five Freedoms’ are:

•Freedom from hunger and thirst;•Freedom from discomfort;•Freedom from pain, injury or disease;•Freedom to express normal behaviour;•Freedom from fear and distress.


Cattle passport

All British dairy cows wear ear tags with a unique number. These numbers are also found on the cattle passports.

Each passport can trace the animal's mother, place of birth and any location movements throughout its lifetime.


Herd health checks

Dairy farmers work with veterinary surgeons or other specialists to develop health plans for their herd.

These include information such as prevention and treatment programmes for common diseases and ailments, along with vaccination schedules.

The health plan is reviewed regularly.


Grazing

Dairy cows mostly graze outdoors during the summer. When indoors in cow sheds the cows continue to exercise and graze at their own leisure.

The cow sheds are designed to be spacious and to provide lots of natural light and fresh air -giving a feeling of being outdoors, but with protection from the elements.

The sheds are also regularly cleaned to help prevent disease.


Cow sheds

Most dairy cows are housed during the winter and bad weather to protect them. A few farms house the cows throughout the year. Once inside, the cows are free to move around, eat and drink, socialise and lay down in natural light. Sheds are designed to ensure there is plenty of space for the cows to exercise, socialise and rest. Sheds must be compliant with the Assured Dairy Farms (ADF) scheme, ensuring the 'Five Freedoms' are met.

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Animal nutritionists

Cows need a healthy and balanced diet in order to produce milk, so dairy farmers work with nutritionists to create special diet plans. The diet will provide a nutritious balance of energy, protein, vitamins and minerals.

When designing a diet, the nutritionist takes into account the age and weight of the cows, as well as how much milk they are likely to produce.


Red tractor initiative

The Red Tractor symbol on packaging means that the milk and dairy foods have been produced according to the standards of the Assured Dairy Farms scheme.

This has been developed by dairy farmers, processors, the National Farmers Union (NFU) and the British Cattle Veterinary Association.


Red tractor initiative

The scheme sets higher standards for:

•access to nutritious feed and fresh water;•spacious and comfortable barns and pastures;•the best veterinary care.


Health concern: mastitis

Mastitis is an infection in the udder, caused by bacteria entering through the teat and infecting the mammary gland.

It is recognised by reddening and swelling in the udder.

Control of this infection is through:•hygienic housing environment;•hygienic milking;•good nutrition.


Health concern: dairy cow mobility

Lameness is a persistent foot or leg infection which impedes dairy cow movement.

Dairy farmers focus on preventative care, for example, by greater use of foot trimmers, footbaths and regular veterinary involvement.

To reduce lameness, farmers have also improved: •tracks and surfaces on which cows stand and walk;•lying down areas.


Health concern: bovine tuberculosis

Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a chronic, contagious disease. It is difficult to diagnose the disease early and can quickly spread through the herd before being discovered.

At present, the only way to stop infection spreading is to cull infected cows.


Summary

The health and welfare of dairy cows are a farmers top priority.

All dairy farmers must ensure the ‘Five freedom’s are met for their animals.

Cattle passports, herd health checks, veterinarians and animal nutritionists all contribute to ensuring a good standard of health for the dairy cows.

Farmers take steps to prevent and treat common health problems such as mastitis, lameness and bovine tuberculosis.

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Quiz

Take the quiz.

Take the quiz

End


Question 1

Which one of the following is NOT included in the Farm Animal Welfare Council's 'Five Freedoms’.

A. Freedom to express normal behaviour.

C. Freedom from exercise.

B. Freedom from hunger and thirst.

D. Freedom from fear and distress.


Question 1

Correct – well done!

Next question


Question 1

Sorry, that is not correct.

Try again Next question


Question 2

True or false?Each passport can trace the animal's mother, place of birth and any location movements throughout its lifetime.

A. True B. False


Question 2


Next question


Question 2




Question 3

What is the purpose of a herd health check?

A. To identify which cows are ready for market.

C. To predict how much milk can be produced.

B. To demonstrate the success of the dairy farmer.

D. To minimise common diseases and ailments.


Question 3


Next question


Question 3




Question 4What does the Red Tractor logo ensure on milk and dairy foods?

A. The farms are regularly inspected to ensure the standards are being met.

C. The high standards ensure the cow sheds are spacious and comfortable.

B. The high standards ensure the cows have access to nutritious feed and fresh water.

D. All of the above.


Question 4


Next question


Question 4




Question 5

Which of the following is not a common health problem that farmers take steps to prevent and treat?

A. Bovine tuberculosis.

C. Asthma.

B. Lameness.

D. Mastitis.


Question 5


End


Question 5


Try again End


British Nutrition FoundationHigh Holborn House52-54 High HolbornLondon WC1V 6RQ

Telephone: 020 7404 6504Fax: 020 7404 6747Email: [email protected]: www.nutrition.org.uk www.foodafactoflife.org.uk

© british nutrition foundation 2012 health and welfare of dairy cows

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