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Health and welfare of dairy cows

Health and welfare of dairy cows. Learning 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.

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Health and welfare of dairy cows

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  1. Health and welfare of dairy cows

  2. Learning 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.

  3. 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 17,000 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.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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 .

  7. Grazing Most dairy cows are housed during the winter and bad weather. Dairy cows mostly graze outdoors during the summer, moving from indoor housing. Outside they can easily graze at their own leisure, exercise, get fresh air and natural light.

  8. Cow sheds Most dairy cows are housed during the winter, while a few farms house the cows throughout the year. 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.

  9. 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.

  10. 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.

  11. 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. 

  12. 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.

  13. 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; • shed stalls and yards.

  14. 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.

  15. 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.

  16. For more information, go to: www.foodafactoflife.org.uk

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