Field survey to evaluate space allowances for dairy cows in Great Britain

摘要

Housing conditions can affect health of cows by increasingexposure to biological, chemical, and physicalhazards, resulting in increased disease. A report in2014 indicated that 99% of UK dairy cows are housedduring winter months and that an increasing numberof farms are committing to year-round indoor-housingmanagement systems. Current literature does not providea clear understanding of the relationship betweencow health, welfare, and production, and the housingenvironment. Loafing space, in this case defined as nonfeed,non-lying, and non–high traffic areas of the housedenvironment, is considered an important component ofhousing for dairy cows; however, the scientific literatureassociated with this subject is sparse internationally.The aim of this research was to explore current housingof dairy cows across Great Britain, with specific focus onunderstanding the practices and variability associatedwith space allowance. A secondary aim was to explorefarmer opinions and knowledge on the value of livingspace. A single researcher visited 53 randomly selectedfarms, from a representative sample group, once duringthe winter housing period 2017–18. Data collectionconsisted of 3 elements: collation of basic farm details,precise measurement of adult dairy cow accommodation,and a questionnaire to capture farmer opinions onspace allowances. Statistical analysis was undertakento assess variation among farms in total space, loafingspace, and living space per cow. A new metric, termed“living space,” was defined to describe the additionalspace availability for dairy cows above that deemedto be a baseline requirement. Large variability wasidentified between farms in total space available percow, with a range from 5.4 to 12.7 m~2 [mean = 8.3 m~2,median = 8.2 m~2, interquartile range (IQR) = 1.9 m~2].The mean living space was 2.5 m~2, with a range of 0.5m~2 to 6.4 m~2 (median = 2.4 m~2, IQR = 1.6 to 3.2 m~2).Responses from a farmer questionnaire on importanceof loafing space revealed that farmers felt it was essentialfor cow welfare, over half of farmers scoring this≥8 on a 0 to 10 scale. Farmers were categorized into 4latent classes based on their attitudes toward the importanceof loafing space. In a linear model to predictthe “living space” provided on each farm, geographicallocation and latent class of farmer attitude were covariatessignificantly associated with the amount of spaceprovided. This study is the first worldwide to quantifyvariability in loafing and living spaces for dairy herds;further research is required to evaluate the extent towhich variation in quantity and quality of space influencescow health, welfare, and productivity, as well asfarm economics and emissions.