The 2006 Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) Conference was held in Hobart, Tasmania. One of its special interest groups, Australian Cattle Vets co-ordinated the cattle theme which highlighted improving livestock productivity through better animalwelfare techniques, and comparison of milking systems. ACV vets outline messages from the conference. Professor Paul Hemsworth and Dr Adele Arnold from the Animal Welfare Science Centre in Melbourne presented the findings of some excellent work with dairy farms throughout Victoria on the effect of handler attitude and other animal welfare issues on milk yield and farm profitability. The impact of human-animal relationships on animal welfare, productivity and profitability occurs via attitude and behaviour of the stock person; combination of motivation, technical knowledge and skills of the stock person; and opportunity, tools and on-farm facilities provided to the stockperson.
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