Cattle behaviour and welfare

Transcription

1 Cattle behaviour and welfare A Nordic specialist course arranged by Danmarks JordbrugsForskning (the Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences), Kvægbrugets Forsøgscenter (the Danish Cattle Research Centre and Dansk Kvæg (the Danish Cattle Federation) Time and place May 2004 at Forskningscenter Foulum (Research Centre Foulum), Blichers Allé 20, DK-8830 Tjele. Accomodation is arranged at Asmildkloster Landbrugsskole (Asmildkloster Farm Institute), Asmildklostervej 1, DK-8800 Viborg. For those, who do not bring a car, we will arrange for transportation between the Research Centre and the Farm Institute. Background Experience shows that production economy can increase, when cattle welfare is improved. At the same time, the cattle well-being will be improved, which fits well into the spirit of the time and the cattle farmers image optimizaton. Purpose The purpose of the course is to extend the participants knowledge of cattle behavioural and the exploitation of the theoretical background in the assessment of the cattle welfare. After the course: you will be familiar with the behavioural needs of cattle you will familiar with the sensory faculties of cattle have a good grasp of methods for measuring behaviour know, what is normal and what is abnormal behaviour know about the most important stress reactions be able to use the fault-finding tools Target group of the course Nordic cattle advisors, building advisors, veterinary inspectors, agricultural instructors, Ph.D. students and others, who are interested in cattle behaviour and welfare. Course topics During the course, we will deal with the following topics: Environmental perception. The natural behaviour of the cattle. Behavioural needs. Behaviour and the impact of stress reactions on production. Behaviour and the high-yielding cow s working day. Cattle housing systems and management. Behaviour and welfare assessment at herd level. Behaviour of calves. Please note That after each topic, the participants will pick up the most important messages in groups, and discuss how the learning can be used in practice. 1

2 Language English Course leader Lene Munksgaard and Eva Søndergaard, Scientists at Danmarks JordbrugsForskning, Foulum (the Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences in Foulum). Number of participants Course no. K-24 Price DKK 4, excl. VAT. The price includes course papers and board & lodging as from 11 May 2004 at a.m. through 12 May 2004 at p.m. If you would like us to arrange for lodging at Asmildkloster Landbrugsskole as from 10 to 11 May 2004, please inform us when you enroll. Price DKK Enrollment On or before 1 April 2004 to Marianne Borg, Udvikling og Centerservice (National Centre, Development and Centre Services, dept. for continuing education), tel or by to kursus-kvaeg@landscentret.dk Tuesdag 11 May Welcome, introduction and presentation Environmental perception Sight, sense of smell, hearing, taste and touch By Mr Clive Phillips, Professor of Animal Welfare, School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Australia Break Natural behaviour Locomotion Eating and drinking behaviour Resting behaviour Social behaviour By Mr Clive Phillips, Professor of Animal Welfare, School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Australia

3 12.00 Lunch Behavioural needs Methods for assessing the behavioural needs Tests of choices Estimation of demand curves The most important behaviour to consider By Ms Margit Bak Jensen, Senior Scientist, Danmarks JordbrugsForskning, Foulum (the Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences at Foulum) Coffee break Behaviour and the impact of stress reactions on production What is a stressor? Behavioural and physiological reactions to stress Comparison of stressors (acute/long duration) Stress and production By Ms Mette S. Herskin, Post Doc, and Lene Munksgaard, Senior Scientist, Danmarks JordbrugsForskning, Foulum (the Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences at Foulum) Break Behaviour and the working day of high-yielding cow s List of factors which influence the high-yielding cow s working day Breeding Crowding Access routes and alleys Resting area Impact of the feed ration s composition Eating and drinking behaviour Handling Milking AMS and milking parlours Mr Peter Løvendahl, Senior Scientist, Danmarks JordbrugsForskning behandler (the Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences at Foulum) treats the husbandry item Ms Lene Munksgaard, Senior Scientist, Danmarks JordbrugsForskning (the Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences at Foulum) and

4 Mr Kenneth Krogh, Certificate in Cattle Production and Diseases, Dansk Kvæg (the Danish Cattle Federation) treat the remaining items Break - sandwich Item 5.0 continued Departure to Asmildkloster Landbrugsskole (Asmildkloster Farm Institute) Dinner and informal gathering Wednesday 12 May Breakfast at Asmildkloster Landbrugsskole (Asmildkloster Farm Institute) 8.15 Departure to Forskningscenter Foulum (Foulum Institute of Agricultural Sciences) 8.30 Item 5.0 continued 9.30 Break Cattle housing systems and management Floors Lighting Group-change By Mr Clive Phillips, Professor of Animal Welfare, School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Australia Break Behaviour of calves Cow calf Milkfeeding systems Group-housing versus single-housing By Ms Margit Bak Jensen, seniorforsker, Danmarks JordbrugsForskning, Foulum (the Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences at Foulum)

5 12.30 Lunch Behaviour and welfare assessment at herd level Purpose and methods Behaviour as a welfare indicator Examples of results from welfare assessment carried out in dairy cattle herds with cubicles By Ms Tine Rousing, Scientist, Danmarks JordbrugsForskning, Foulum (the Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences at Foulum) Coffee-break Summary and conclusions Improvement of cattle welfare in practice By Mr Kenneth Krogh, Certificate in Cattle Production and Diseases, Dansk Kvæg (the Danish Cattle Federation) Evaluation and conclusion Departure A short showing roundtrip in Foulum s cattle barn and at Kvægbrugets Forsøgscenter (the Danish Cattle Research Centre) will be arranged, if anybody is interested. Please note, that foreign participants must have stayed in Denmark for at least 48 hours, before they are allowed to enter the cattle houses.