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Journal article
Application of a welfare assessment protocol for Australian lot-fed cattle: the effect of time and frequency of assessment
Applied animal behaviour science, Vol.277, 106349
2024
Abstract
Farm animal welfare assessment protocols enable the capture and reporting of information to address any concerns raised by the industry or the public alike. To underpin commercial protocols, research to address validity, repeatability, and practicality, including studies to determine appropriate sampling methodology, is needed. For protocols that adopt an animal outcome-based approach, including the proposed protocol for Australian lot-fed cattle, appropriate sampling is required to ensure validity of observations. The aim of this study was to determine optimal timing and frequency of pen-side assessments. The proposed welfare assessment protocol was applied at four time points for 208 sample pens at four feedlots during a seven-month period. To determine the effect of time of day, the number of behavioural measures were reduced using Principal Component (PC) analysis, and then a Generalized Linear Mixed Model applied to consider relevant resource and environmental factors. Three primary components of cattle behaviour and demeanour were identified. PC 1 (17.61% of total variation in the observed cattle behaviour) related to activity and rest, with cattle most active at 08:00 h and 17:00 h, and least active at 14:00 h. PC 2 (10.15% variation) related to engagement with environment and feeding. At 17:00 h more cattle were observed to express positive welfare outcomes, such as engagement and feeding behaviours. PC 3 (7.07% variation) captured behaviour and demeanour that reflected cattle mental state, but minimal variation was identified related to time of day. PC 1 to 3 varied by feedlot and visit number, and PC 1 scores also differed by cattle feeding program. Results indicate that to capture variation in cattle activity and rest, repeated assessments at two key time points; early-morning and early afternoon, are required for accurate pen-side welfare assessments of lot-fed cattle. These findings suggest further refinement of the welfare assessment protocol for lot-fed cattle is recommended to facilitate commercial adoption.
Details
- Title
- Application of a welfare assessment protocol for Australian lot-fed cattle: the effect of time and frequency of assessment
- Authors/Creators
- Emily Taylor - College of Environmental and Life Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, AustraliaEmma Dunston-Clarke - Murdoch UniversityDaniel Brookes - The University of MelbourneEllen Jongman - The University of MelbourneElysia Ling - The University of MelbourneAnne Barnes - College of Environmental and Life Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, AustraliaDavid Miller - Murdoch UniversityAndrew Fisher - The University of MelbourneTeresa Collins - Murdoch University
- Publication Details
- Applied animal behaviour science, Vol.277, 106349
- Publisher
- Elsevier B.V
- Identifiers
- 991005687869907891
- Copyright
- © 2024 The Authors.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Agricultural Sciences; Centre for Animal Production and Health; School of Veterinary Medicine
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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