Spring-summer grazing boosts welfare, while housed herds dip in summer.
A new Northern Ireland study using the Welfare Quality® protocol shows clear seasonal trends in dairy cow welfare, differing by system. Spring and summer grazing herds outperform in comfort and social metrics, while year-round housed herds experience welfare dips in summer.
Housed herds saw an uptick in underconditioned cows during summer—rising to 6% “too lean,” compared to just 1.4% in winter—suggesting nutritional or heat stress issues.
Injury rates, assessed via mobility, lesions and swellings, worsened for housed herds in harsh seasons. Grazing herds kept more consistent welfare across the year.
Grazing systems excelled in comfort, social interactions, and positive emotional state in spring and summer. Housed herds lacked these peaks and showed more even year-round levels.
Human–cow interaction tests fluctuated seasonally: grazing herds showed more withdrawal during pasture-based summer testing, but this likely reflects test context rather than heightened fear.
Source: Farming Life – https://www.farminglife.com/business/seasonal-variations-in-dairy-cow-welfare-in-northern-irish-herds-5198747
You can now read the most important #news on #eDairyNews #Whatsapp channels!!!
🇺🇸 eDairy News INGLÊS: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaKsjzGDTkJyIN6hcP1K
