Development of a welfare assessment protocol for practical application in Argentine feedlots

Racciatti, Débora Silvia; Bottegal, Diego Nicolas; Aguilar, Natalia Maria Alejandra; Menichelli, Marcela Liliana; Soteras, Trinidad; Zimerman, María; Cancino, Andrea Karina; Marcoppido, Gisela Ariana; Blanco‐Penedo, Isabel; Lloverás, Joaquim; Langman, L.

doi:10.1016/j.applanim.2022.105662

Cited by 4 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…The evaluation of the feasibility of the measurements proposed in the first version of the protocol considered the following criteria: (a) ease of recording by a single assessor in all field conditions, (b) non-invasive measurements for the animals, (c) measurements that did not require additional animal handling, (d) applicability of the measurement in pasture-based production systems, (e) time and space constraints, and (f) measurements that needed specialized assessments [2]. Additionally, a comprehensive review of the scientific literature on animal health and welfare, existing recommendations, and legal requirements was made to select the most widely used and feasible measures to be applied in these systems.…”

Section: Field Application Of the Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Grazing and foraging systems for beef production vary widely depending on environmental, animal, and economic factors and their interactions [17]. Therefore, the methodology proposed is focused on critical aspects that could impact cattle welfare regardless of the aforementioned conditions, concentrating on suffering and needs as indicated by the Five Freedoms paradigm and giving animals a life worth living [2]. We will discuss those measurements organized into four domains (good nutrition, appropriate environment, good health, and appropriate behavior).…”

Section: Feasibility Of the Measures Assessedmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The intensification of animal production has increased public awareness of environmental conservation, health, and welfare, aimed at promoting food safety, food security, and sustainable food production [1,2]. Consumers perceive pasture-based livestock production as natural and ethical, thereby better for animal welfare, compared to confined systems [3,4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Additionally, some of the measures used for animal welfare assessment under confinement conditions (e.g., lameness score, social behavior), are relevant also for grazing cattle [15]; however, it is not feasible to transfer assessment protocols developed for intensive systems to grazing systems, because each system needs a specific protocol and the proposed indicators are not necessarily suitable, relevant, feasible or measurable under grazing conditions [15,16]. Therefore, protocols with an evidence-based approach are needed to assess animal welfare in extensive fattening systems in tropical climates [2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Study of the Feasibility of Proposed Measures to Assess Animal Welfare for Zebu Beef Farms within Pasture-Based Systems under Tropical Conditions

Romero,

Barrero-Melendro,

Sanchez

2023

Animals

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Pasture-based production systems are predominant in major beef-producing countries; however, these systems lack validated protocols to assess animal welfare under commercial conditions. The objective of this study was to test the feasibility of the proposed measures and methodology for the evaluation of animal welfare in fattening cattle under pasture conditions. The initial methodology was developed with the participation of producers, professionals, the general public, and the Colombian health authority, through workshops with a participatory approach and collaborative knowledge management. The study was carried out in 24 pasture-based commercial Zebu cattle farms in the middle Magdalena region of Colombia. Visits were made with an average duration of 2.5 h, which included the evaluation of 788 fattening cattle. The methodology evaluated animal-based, resource-based, and management-based indicators through a questionnaire-guided interview to evaluate cattle handling and health, animal-based measurements, and documentation management. A protocol validation process was carried out by selecting indicators that remained unchanged, adjusting those that were feasible to implement, and removing inadequate indicators. The application of the methodology demonstrated that there are feasible measures to include in the evaluation protocols of pasture-based fattening systems. Likewise, the active participation of producers is crucial to achieving a greater commitment to the implementation of this methodology for the assessment of animal welfare in cattle under pasture conditions.

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Section: Field Application Of the Methodologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Feasibility Of the Measures Assessedmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Study of the Feasibility of Proposed Measures to Assess Animal Welfare for Zebu Beef Farms within Pasture-Based Systems under Tropical Conditions

Romero,

Barrero-Melendro,

Sanchez

2023

Animals

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“…Cattle are a key livestock species across many regions of the world with continuing research to improve the way we house and manage them. To be able to improve animal welfare, we first must have accurate methods of assessing it which was the focus of Racciatti et al (2022) who described the development of a practical welfare assessment protocol specific to Argentine feedlots. Environmental enrichment is a strategy for moving towards positive welfare in animal housing systems.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Preface for the special issue of the 54th international congress of the ISAE

Campbell

Kamboj

Singh

et al. 2023

Applied Animal Behaviour Science

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Consumer Attitudes and Concerns about Beef Consumption in Argentina and Other South American Countries

2023

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In South America, modifications in beef consumption habits, mainly related to economic reasons, new lifestyles, and new eating behaviors, are being observed. If this trend continues, beef consumption could continue to fall or there would be a greater share of cheaper types of meat. In general, consumer concerns related to health, animal welfare, and environmental impact are increasing. Most of the population in South America follows an omnivorous diet, with a minority of vegetarians/vegans. In Argentina, around 30% consider themselves as flexitarians and around 5% as vegetarians/vegans, with centennials and millennials being the ones that mostly follow these types of behaviors. For flexitarians, the main reason that leads them to adopt this diet is the search for healthier eating. In general, consumers consider livestock production to be a sustainable activity; although, ethical concerns are growing among the younger generations. Finally, around 30% of the total population is willing to partially replace the consumption of beef to avoid animal slaughter and 8% would abandon it for this reason. The current trend would indicate that, if the conditions defined by the present scenarios continue, the motivations to consume less beef could be strengthened.

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Development of a welfare assessment protocol for practical application in Argentine feedlots

Cited by 4 publications

References 55 publications

Study of the Feasibility of Proposed Measures to Assess Animal Welfare for Zebu Beef Farms within Pasture-Based Systems under Tropical Conditions

Study of the Feasibility of Proposed Measures to Assess Animal Welfare for Zebu Beef Farms within Pasture-Based Systems under Tropical Conditions

Preface for the special issue of the 54th international congress of the ISAE

Consumer Attitudes and Concerns about Beef Consumption in Argentina and Other South American Countries

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