Cattle welfare aspects of production systems in the tropics

Abstract

There is a growing demand for animal products, especially food for human consumption, including in developing countries in tropical regions of the world. Simultaneously, animal welfare and a reduced environmental impact are increasingly important to modern consumers and non-consumers. Increased efficiency of existing animal production systems is key to meeting the growing demand of animal products without ignoring societal concerns. Adequate animal welfare can play an important role in improving production and addressing consumer demands. This review describes the main cattle production systems in the tropics and considers how they meet the need for transparent animal welfare conditions. Several challenges to overcome are highlighted, including lack of information about the real cattle welfare status in the tropics. Adequate assessment protocols and improvements in animal nutrition, infrastructure, animal health and farming-related education need special attention in the region. Better animal welfare could improve tropical animal production in terms of productivity, and increase the volume of meat and milk delivered. It could also guarantee consumer acceptance and future consumption of animal products, secure incomes, alleviate poverty and reduce migration to urban areas and countryside abandonment.

Characterization of Thermal Patterns Using Infrared Thermography and Thermolytic Responses of Cattle Reared in Three Different Systems during the Transition Period in the Eastern Amazon, Brazil

“…The shade provided by the trees in the silvopastoral system and the availability of water for bathing in the integrated system help to reduce the ambient temperature and, consequently, the need to dissipate heat through respiratory rate. This results in lower RR values in these systems, keeping cattle within normal heat stress limits [63,64].…”

Characterization of the Temperament and Reactivity of Nelore Cattle (Bos indicus) Associated with Behavior Scores during Corral Management in the Humid Tropics

“…On the other hand, in systems with the availability of shade and a bathing area, it is possible to observe body temperature values within the reference values, due to the heat dissipation mechanism being more efficient, due to the reduction of the ambient temperature, resulting in lower RR values within the normal range [ 49 , 50 ]. In addition, the absence of shade can lead to direct sunlight exposure of the soil and high temperatures, further contributing to the increase in body temperature, causing heat distress [ 51 , 52 , 53 ].…”

Dual-Purpose Cattle Raised in Tropical Conditions: What Are Their Shortcomings in Sound Productive and Reproductive Function?

“…Another environmental factor linked to reproductive problems in dual-purpose systems is the presence of infectious diseases. The humid and hot conditions in the tropics provide the environment for multiple parasites, bacteria, protozoans, and disease vectors to thrive and facilitate pathogen transmission [ 62 ]. Gastrointestinal nematodes, ticks and tick-borne diseases, reproductive viruses, and bacteria are some of the most commonly found illnesses in the tropics; they affect cattle production and therefore local economies.…”

“…Diseases such as brucellosis, leptospirosis, chlamydiosis, campylobacteria, neosporosis, bovine viral diarrhea, infectious bovine rhinotracheitis are prevalent in dual-purpose systems affecting productivity, limiting the access to local markets, and in the case of brucellosis, it poses a public health issue [ 70 , 71 , 72 ]. These diseases can be introduced into the farms after the purchase of cattle from infected herds; moreover, the lack of physical barriers, biosecurity protocols, isolation areas, and vaccination schemes, along with the lack of education and training in preventing disease, make dual-purpose farms vulnerable to illnesses [ 62 , 72 ]. Furthermore, the treatment of infected animals is more complicated in tropical regions, particularly in developing countries, due to difficulties in the provision of veterinary services and an unregulated pharmaceutical industry, both of which limit diagnosis and control [ 73 ].…”