Abstract

SILVA SALAS, Miguel Ángel et al. Evaluating dairy cow wellbeing in small-scale production systems with the Welfare Quality^® protocol. Rev. mex. de cienc. pecuarias [online]. 2017, vol.8, n.1, pp.53-60. ISSN 2448-6698.  https://doi.org/10.22319/rmcp.v8i1.4306.

Animal welfare data from production units in Mexico is scarce. An evaluation was done of degree of wellbeing in producing dairy cows by applying the European Welfare Quality® (WQ®) protocol in four municipalities in the state of Hidalgo, Mexico. A total of 1,187 cows were evaluated in producing, dry or pregnant stages. Fifty-two (52) production units were chosen for being small-scale family systems and because producers voluntarily chose to participate. Data collection for the WQ® formats was by structured survey, resource measurement and animal observation, adjusted to the evaluated production systems and following the order and times suggested in the protocol. Four algorithms were used in data analysis: decision tree; weighted sum; i-spline functions; and Choquet integrals. All the evaluated production units were classified as acceptable, which was corroborated in the WQ® online simulator. The scores for each Principle (P) were 39 points for P1, 48 for P2, 23 for P3, and 28 for P4. This protocol is clearly a useful tool for evaluating animal wellbeing in small-scale production systems in the high plains of Mexico. However, it is not completely applicable to these systems. Validated, scientifically-tested protocols are needed that more reliably represent the reality of animal wellbeing in these systems.

Keywords : Dairy cows; Animal wellbeing; Welfare Quality^®; Small-scale.