Factors that Influence Farmers’ Views on Farm Animal Welfare: A Semi-Systematic Review and Thematic Analysis

Abstract

Farm animal welfare (FAW) is a growing societal concern, reflected by over 30 years of research to inform policy and practice. Despite the wealth of evidence to improve FAW, implementation of good practice continues to be an issue. The role of the stakeholder, particularly farmers, is pivotal to FAW improvement. This semi-systematic review synthesizes the evidence published in the last 30 years, worldwide, to address two main questions “what do farmers think (farmer’s general view) about farm animal welfare?” and “what are the factors that influence their thinking?”. A thematic analysis was conducted to identify factors that influenced the implementation of FAW innovation. The main outcomes extracted from 96 peer-reviewed publications on a range of livestock species identified 11 internal factors including farmer knowledge, empathy, personality, values, and human-animal bond; 15 external factors including economic advantages, communication, time and labor influenced the perception of FAW. Farmers’ knowledge and cost implications of FAW were the most frequently reported factors. The review further highlights the need for promoting interdisciplinary collaboration and stakeholder participation. This study suggests strategies to improve FAW, including tools to support behavioral changes amongst farmers.

Producer and Veterinarian Perspectives towards Pain Management Practices in the US Cattle Industry

“…Given that an overwhelming majority of producers and veterinarians whom responded to this survey feel confident in recognizing and treating pain in cattle, the US cattle industry may move more quickly towards implementing effective strategies to control pain once a culture of pain management is established. Thus, in the context of this survey, respondents can indeed take action in managing pain on-farm given they are confident in their knowledge and skills and can then make long-term changes to the culture of the industry as a whole [ 33 ].…”

A Perspective on the Use of Sexed Semen to Reduce the Number of Surplus Male Dairy Calves in Ireland: A Pilot Study

“…While the majority of each industry actor cohort agreed that sexed semen could positively impact AW, only veterinarians believed that the benefits of sexed semen justified the investment to improve AW. The financial costs of implementing improved AW practices were identified as a key external factor influencing farmers' perspectives of AW by Balzani and Hanlon ( 12 ). However, the issue of management of surplus male dairy calves goes beyond external costs, because of the implications for reputation risk to the industry.…”

“…To move away from the production of surplus offspring, the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe highlighted the need to promote key stakeholders' collaboration to address and design new solutions ( 11 ). In this regard, understanding stakeholders' views and values of AW concepts can lead to more effective development of collaborative knowledge exchange, policies, and management of initiatives directed at improving AW, socially accepted, and thus sustainable livestock farming practices ( 12 , 13 ). Our thesis is that industry actors play an important role for the implementation of an alternative solution to surplus male dairy calves.…”

Legal Complexities of Animal Welfare in Australia: Do On-Animal Sensors Offer a Future Option?

“…Most producers employ high levels of animal welfare, demonstrated through record keeping, third-party audits and an overall desire to make improvements. However, this can have significant cost implications for producers, requiring consumers to be willing to pay higher prices for improved animal welfare practices above the bare minimum required by legislation [ 44 , 45 ]. Consumer WTP for higher farm animal welfare products is influenced by socio-economic status, knowledge of animal welfare issues and trust in such claims [ 33 , 44 , 46 ].…”

“…Societal concern has influenced the development and uptake of assurance schemes which recognise improved stewardship in animal welfare [ 29 , 45 ]. Producers are motivated to participate in voluntary assurance schemes to gain consumer/stakeholder appreciation, which may differentiate their produce in the market, increase price and maintain/open access to markets [ 34 ]; however, adoption by producers is dependent on the labour, time and cost impositions [ 41 , 45 ].…”