Maher James W, Clarke AnneMarie, Byrne Andrew W, Doyle Rob, Blake Martin, Barrett Damien
Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Dublin, Ireland.
Front Vet Sci. 2021 Apr 20;8:635565. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2021.635565. eCollection 2021.
There has been very little previous research in Ireland on the farmers' opinions regarding calf welfare issues. Calf welfare, particularly for male dairy calves, has assumed greater importance in Ireland in recent years due, in part, to an increase in the number of dairy cattle over the past decade. The objective of this study was to explore dairy farmers' views on a broad range of issues related to the expansion in the dairy herd. A survey was developed to capture the views of farmers regarding male dairy calves. The majority of questions were quantitative, and a final open-ended question collected qualitative data. The survey was distributed to ~2,900 dairy farmers via text message and 881 responses were received. The sample was composed almost entirely of dairy farmers, although ~20% also had a beef enterprise on their farm. Fifty eight percent of the farmers were concerned with the increase in the number of male dairy calves in recent years. The EU's abolition of milk quotas, the profitability of dairy farming compared to other farm types, and guidance from farm advisors were the three highest ranked drivers behind the increase in the number of male dairy calves. The three highest ranked options for managing the number of male dairy calves were to increase exports, encourage greater use of sexed semen, and improve the beef merit of these calves. Eighty five percent of respondents stated that individual farmers had responsibility for making changes to the number of male dairy calves. The main themes arising from analysis of the responses to the open-ended question, seeking any additional comments, were breed, beef price, live exports, and sexed semen. Dairy farmers recognized the responsibility they have for making changes in respect of male dairy calves, and many demonstrated a willingness to make changes in this regard. The important role of other stakeholders, particularly suckler (system where reared from calf to beef) farmers, in rearing male dairy calves for beef production was also recognized. However, the issues of who bears the risks and costs associated with greater integration will have to be carefully considered.
此前在爱尔兰，针对农民对犊牛福利问题的看法所开展的研究非常少。近年来，犊牛福利，尤其是雄性奶牛犊的福利，在爱尔兰变得越发重要，部分原因是过去十年间奶牛数量有所增加。本研究的目的是探究奶农对与奶牛群扩张相关的一系列广泛问题的看法。为此开展了一项调查，以了解农民对雄性奶牛犊的看法。大部分问题是定量的，最后一个开放式问题收集定性数据。该调查通过短信发送给约2900名奶农，共收到881份回复。样本几乎全部由奶农组成，不过约20%的农户农场中也有肉牛养殖业务。58%的农民对近年来雄性奶牛犊数量的增加表示担忧。欧盟取消牛奶配额、奶牛养殖与其他农场类型相比的盈利能力，以及农场顾问的指导，是雄性奶牛犊数量增加背后排名前三的驱动因素。管理雄性奶牛犊数量的排名前三的选项是增加出口、鼓励更多使用性别分选精液，以及提高这些犊牛的肉牛品质。85%的受访者表示，个体农户有责任改变雄性奶牛犊的数量。对开放式问题（征求任何其他意见）的回复进行分析后出现的主要主题包括品种、牛肉价格、活畜出口和性别分选精液。奶农认识到他们有责任对雄性奶牛犊做出改变，而且许多人表示愿意在这方面做出改变。其他利益相关者，特别是肉牛养殖户（从犊牛饲养到肉牛阶段的养殖体系）在饲养雄性奶牛犊用于牛肉生产方面的重要作用也得到了认可。然而，必须仔细考虑谁来承担与更大程度整合相关的风险和成本这一问题。
