Relationship between welfare and health in Japanese dairy herds

Abstract

Currently, Japanese farmers’ greatest interest is in increasing productivity. Animal welfare concern is not yet widespread. Nevertheless, lower animal welfare might reduce productivity by increased risk of cattle diseases and their costs. This study investigated the correlation of animal welfare scores with the number of disease treatments and livestock insurance premiums per animal. Using an assessment system developed by the Japan Farm Animal Welfare Association (JFAWA), 10 dairy farms were evaluated. The JFAWA assessment system comprises 45 criteria of three categories: animal, facility, and management. Finally, a score for each category and a total score are obtained. Higher scores reflect better welfare. The annual treatments for displaced abomasum, follicular cysts, milk fever, and arthritis were tended to be more numerous on farms with lower total scores (P < 0.10). The annual treatments for right displaced abomasum and puerperal fever were significantly more numerous on farms with lower animal scores (P < 0.05). The annual treatments for right displaced abomasum and milk fever were significantly more numerous on farms with lower facility scores (P < 0.05). The annual treatments for right displaced abomasum and arthritis were significantly more numerous on farms with lower management scores (P < 0.05). Also, Annual mutual insurance premiums for death and disuse per insured animal showed negative correlation with total score (P < 0.10). These findings suggest that improving dairy cow comfort and increasing scores can improve dairy cow health. Disease prevention is expected to reduce productivity losses and economic losses attributable to health difficulties.