8. Animal Welfare
Research proposals on animal welfare were assessed under two categories, indicated by their identifier letters. These have been separated out in this document for ease of access.
8.1 FMA 113
Programme Title: |
Transport and heat stress. |
Programme Leader: |
Dr Terry Reid |
Institution: |
Canesis Network Ltd (formerly WRONZ) |
Programme Goal: There is increasing concern both within New Zealand and in our major overseas markets about the effects of transport of animals on their welfare. For example the European Community has recently promulgated regulations relating to the requirement for ventilation of vehicles carrying livestock for long journeys. These regulations are set to ensure the minimum and maximum temperatures (adjusted for humidity) of the livestock are not exceeded.
WRONZ (now Canesis Network Ltd), under contract to MAF, has developed a device to measure and record the temperature/humidity index within a stock truck. This device will monitor the temperature/humidity index and warn the driver when designated limits are likely to be exceeded. This present proposal is to describe the relationships between the duration of temperature, humidity and stress in sheep during transport to allow interpretation of the data from loggers in stock trucks. This will allow limits to be set to ensure appropriate care is taken with the welfare of the animals being transported.
The project will monitor the core temperatures of animals during transport and relate increases in that to the temperature and humidity conditions in the truck.
Objective 1
Objective Title: |
Effects of temperature and humidity on sheep stress during transport |
Research Leader: |
Dr Terry Reid |
Description:
To examine the influence of the temperature and humidity in the sheep crate on the welfare of sheep during transport. Welfare will be assessed by the measuring core body temperature.
Methodology:
At an appropriate time of year, 4-5 sheep fitted with internal data loggers to record their internal (core) body temperatures will be included in a normal load in a truck fitted with a temperature/humidity measuring device. Temperature and humidity measurements, both inside the truck and in the external environment will be made every three minutes. The data will be transmitted to the Canesis site at Lincoln through the cell phone network. The data from the two measuring devices will be compared to assess when conditions have resulted in stress in the animals. Stress will be defined as increases in the core body temperature of the animals with internal recording devices.
The positions of the truck at any time will be determined by noting the cell phone cell through which the data signals have been transmitted.
It is planned that there will be seven such trips using shorn and unshorn lambs, and shorn or unshorn ewes. This may be increased to allow the effects of more environmental conditions to be assessed. In addition, it is planned that one experiment will be carried out in by putting the loaded truck in a shed and determining the relationships between truck environmental temperature and humidity and sheep core temperatures with more control over the conditions. This extra experiment will provide data not readily available in the normal truck operations.
The data obtained will allow the construction of models describing the effects of environmental temperature and humidity within the truck on sheep.
8.2 FMA 114
Programme Title: |
The economic cost of improving animal welfare on farms |
Programme Leader: |
Associate Professor Kevin Stafford |
Institution: |
Massey University |
Programme Goal: To investigate the costs of improving animal welfare in three different ways on New Zealand farms.
Objective 1
Objective Title: |
The cost of using analgesics for castrating beef calves |
Research Leader: |
Associate Professor Kevin Stafford |
Description:
A model will be developed to look at the costs to the beef cattle farmer and of beef to the consumer of improving the pain relief of calves during and following castration.
Methodology:
An economic model using costs and outcomes will be developed. This model will be a `whole farm to consumer model' and will be based on beef production under New Zealand farm conditions. The model will be a basic framework and incorporated into it will be the costs of analgesic and veterinary attention during castration.
The model can be adapted to take into account any simple extra cost, which has no significant production outcome, and simple costs, which have a defined economic outcome.
This model, because of its simplicity, could be adapted for use when assessing the costs of similar procedures applied in other livestock or in poultry production systems.
Objective 2
Objective Title: |
The cost of maintaining body condition score in cows during Autumn, Winter and Spring |
Research Leader: |
Associate Professor Kevin Stafford |
Description:
A model of energy use by dairy cows developed by Dr. Ian Brooks at Massey University will be used to investigate the costs and outcomes of maintaining cow body condition scores (BCS) at around 4 throughout the year and increasing the score to 6.
Methodology:
Visitors from Europe and North America comment on the poor body condition score of some dairy cows in Winter in New Zealand and poor body condition does have negative results on health and reproduction of cows during the Spring.
The model of feed use on dairy farms developed by Brooks (Brooks et al., 1993) will be used as the basic model into which particular feed and body condition scores will incorporated.
The model will be adapted to take into account the cost of varying body condition, production parameters and assumptions regarding the welfare implications of varying BCS, based on the relationships to health, disease and reproductive success to BCS.
The model will compute the cost of keeping cows at different scores throughout the Winter and Spring.
We will then incorporate the net cost of maintaining different BCS into the model developed in objective 1 to estimate the cost to the consumer on the assumption that all costs are to be borne by the consumer.
Objective 3
Objective Title: |
The cost of frequent visits to observe ewes while lambing |
Research Leader: |
Associate Professor Kevin Stafford |
Description
Lamb losses are a major welfare problem on sheep farms world-wide but no work has been done to model the cost of frequent visits (3 or 4 daily) to observe ewes during lambing under New Zealand conditions and to physically restrict the movement of ewes with twins or triplets using a portable pen.
Methodology:
A sheep farm model will be adjusted to allow for the costs of frequent lambing beats and the production costs and benefits of reduced lamb mortality.
The costs of lamb beats will be incorporated into the model and the outcome quantifies with regard to farm profitability and cost to consumer of lamb produced.
Lamb mortality is a complex issue with negative and positive financial and production outcomes. In some circumstances assumptions may have to be made regarding these outcomes but the model will allow for these and they will be presented in the final report.
Note:
The details of all three models and the outcomes for the farmer and the consumer (% increase in cost) with regard to the cost of the three issues listed above, will be detailed in the final report. This will document the assumptions used and the financial outcomes.
8.3 FMA 115
Programme Title: |
Wintering systems for deer |
Programme Leader: |
Gary Rae |
Institution: |
Canterbury Agriculture Consultancy |
Programme Goal: To determine the impacts on the welfare of farmed deer, and importance of those impacts, of wintering systems used in the cold, wet climates of the lower South Island, and in particular to compare systems utilizing indoor/outdoor area with traditional wintering outdoor systems.
Rationale: The increased intensification of animal production systems world wide has been associated with heightened public concern for the welfare of the animals concerned, with attitudes of consumers throughout the world becoming more sensitive to the way in which animals are raised for food and fibre. New Zealand is sensitive to the evolving animal welfare issues within our international customers because of the dependence on trade in animal products. The commonly held view is that New Zealand producers should be responsive to changing consumer attitudes in our overseas markets. Deer production systems are increasingly coming under scrutiny. Some management practices on deer farms have the potential to be detrimental to the welfare of animals. There are perceived problems with the welfare of farmed deer in the cold, wet winter climates of the lower South Island. Some farmers in these areas are using indoor wintering facilities to improve animal growth rates and therefore increase the profitability of their deer operations, other farmers have combined indoor and outdoor systems to avoid the problems of both systems. Deer confined indoors are sheltered from the weather, but there is evidence that social conditions in particular can be aversive, with research showing housed deer have shown higher levels of aggression and skin damage, reducing weight gain and general activity levels. In addition social mixing of housed deer is associated with increased aggression and physiological indicators of stress. Other noted issues include high ammonia levels, lack of clean dry resting areas, enforced light/dark conditions, boredom and lack of access to drinkable water. In New Zealand farm animals are protected under the Animal Welfare Act 1999, which provides for the development of detailed codes of welfare, covering a variety of farm practices and management procedures. MAF and the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) require information on which to revise standards and recommendations in the deer code of welfare. This research will provide information to MAF and NAWAC upon which to base revisions of standards and recommendation in the code of welfare.
Objective 1
Objective Title: |
Literature search & Industry Research Liaison |
Research Leader: |
Gary Rae |
Description:
Review the New Zealand and international literature regarding indoor wintering systems for deer, welfare issues relating to intensive deer farming practices, the impacts of winter shelter on deer welfare and productivity. Discuss the issues with deer industry representatives to gain their views.
Methodology:
Undertake a literature search of published material relevant to the research topic from both NZ and international sources. Meet representatives of deer industry bodies and deer industry servicing professionals to discuss the issues and gather their personal and industry views regarding the research topic. Compile a draft report detailing the results of the literature review and industry discussions.
Objective 2
Objective Title: |
Farmer interview and wintering system inspections |
Research Leader: |
Gary Rae |
Description:
Inspect on farm wintering systems in the lower South Island, and interviewing deer farmers. The researchers will gather information describing the wintering systems used by deer farmers in the lower South Island, from farmers with traditional outdoor wintering systems on farms with or without significant shelter and from farms with indoor or indoor/outdoor wintering systems.
Methodology:
The information will be gathered on visits to commercial deer farms. The deer farms selected will cover the range of wintering systems used by farmers. On the visits the researchers will:
- investigate the wintering system operated on that farm for each class of deer wintered, the reasons for that wintering system;
- investigate the perceived benefits of that system over alternatives;
- investigate the production levels achieved by the system, and estimate the cost/benefits of alternative systems; and
- observe the wintering system, including system design and operation, animal behaviour and welfare issues.
Farmers will be visited throughout the Southland, Otago, Central Otago and lower/inland Canterbury regions. A total of 20 deer farms will be visited and farmers interviewed over the 2003 winter. Farms selected will include farms with:
- traditional wintering systems with varying amounts of shelter;
- indoor wintering systems for all or some deer; and
- combined indoor/outdoor systems.
The expected geographical location of the 20 deer farms will be:
- Southland 6 properties
- Otago 6 properties
- Central Otago 4 properties
- Southern/inland Canterbury 4 properties
Objective 3
Objective Title: |
Report Completion |
Research Leader: |
Gary Rae |
Description:
Compile Report for MAF Policy
Methodology:
After the literature search and farmer interviews are finished the researchers will write up the research in a number of steps.:
- interim report on literature search;
- interim report on visits to deer farmers describing the various wintering systems, noting the patterns of use;
- draft final report for discussion with Deer industry representatives and MAF Policy.
Feedback and further research required will be incorporated into the final report; and
Final report compiled after receiving feedback from the deer industry representatives and MAF Policy.
8.4 FMA 116
Programme Title: |
Shelter for lambing |
Programme Leader: |
Jo Pollard |
Institution: |
AgResearch CRI |
Programme Goal: To provide farmers and MAF Policy with a review of information on the costs, benefits and risks of providing different forms of shelter for lambing.
Rationale: In New Zealand flocks, 10 - 25% of lambs die during the first three days following birth. This loss and the lack of care apparent in lambing paddocks offering little in the way of shelter can be detrimental to New Zealand's image as a responsible producer of animal products. It is likely that farmers have inadequate information on the costs, benefits and risks of providing shelter and this may be a factor underlying the lack of shelter on many farms. This review will describe and summarise this information, for use by farmers, and by MAF and the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee (NAWAC) in revising standards and recommendations in the sheep code of welfare required by the Animal Welfare Act 1999.
Objective 1
Objective Title: |
Review of lamb shelter information |
Research Leader: |
J. Pollard |
Description:
The aims are to provide farmers with a comprehensive but readable summary, and MAF with detailed information, on the costs, benefits and risks of providing different forms of shelter for lambing. One outcome will be an improved ability of farmers to identify the most suitable forms of lambing shelter for their farm, and broadly assess potential economic, management and production outcomes of shelter use in their farming operations. A second outcome will be to identify gaps in the knowledge on responses to shelter that need to be answered before recommendations can be made. The review will also assist MAF and NAWAC in revising codes of welfare, by providing information on the practicalities of providing shelter and outcomes for lamb welfare.
Methodology:
A literature search of New Zealand and international libraries will be carried out, and less formal publications from institutions (Lincoln and Massey Universities, Forest Research Institute, and Regional Councils) will be obtained.
The information sought and described in the review will be grouped under the following headings:
1. Forms of shelter for lambing:
- Shelterbelts (trees, shrubs, grasses);
- Within-paddock shelter (tussocks, scrub, artificial shelter); and
- (Lamb covers.
2. Effects of each form of shelter on:
- Weather variables;
- Lambs (effects of cold, wind and rain on lamb physiology, behaviour and welfare; effects of shelter on exposure to cold, wind and rain; effects of shelter on lamb survival and growth);
- Land productivity (pasture production; timber; property value; forage);
- Pasture fertility; and
- Livestock health.
3. Costs of each form of shelter:
- Labour; and
- Materials.
4. Risks and mitigation
- Drought;
- Frosts;
- Pests; and
- Weeds.
5. Marginal financial analysis of providing each form of shelter (including a sensitivity analysis of how shelter costs and product returns affect the outcome of providing shelter).
6. Summary of shelter types, effects costs, risks and mitigation (including identification of areas where knowledge is lacking).
7. Lay summary.
8.5 FMA 118
Programme Title: |
Age related changes in lambs' neural responses to castration |
Programme Leader: |
Craig Johnson |
Institution: |
Massey University |
Programme Goal: Quantify the way in which the cerebro-cortical response of lambs to rubber ring castration changes in the first eight weeks of life.
Rationale: Massey University has recently demonstrated that the cerebro-cortical response to rubber ring castration is greater in two-week old than four-week old lambs (Johnson et al. 2003). This supports the findings of Thornton and Waterman-Pearson (1998) that behavioural responses to castration change as lambs become older, but does not support New Zealand and UK guidelines that lambs be castrated as young as possible. In this study it is aimed to extend our previous work in order to quantify the way in which the magnitude of the electroencephalographic (EEG) response to castration changes over the first eight weeks of life. Such quantification will enable future welfare recommendations concerning the preferred age at which lambs should be castrated to be drafted on an informed basis.
Objective 1
Objective Title: |
Quantification of EEG response. |
Research Leader: |
Craig Johnson |
Description:
The aim of this objective is to provide a detailed quantification of the way in which the magnitude of the EEG response to rubber ring castration changes over the first eight weeks of life.
Methodology:
In order to construct a detailed picture of the changes in the EEG response, lambs of known age will be castrated at a spread of ages over the first eight weeks of life. During the first part of the study, the spread of lambs over the age range will be as even as is practicable. Data will be analysed as the study progresses and during the later stages additional lambs will be selected at ages where there is rapid change in the magnitude of the response. This will enable the construction of a detailed age/response curve covering the period from birth to eight weeks of age.
The experimental protocol for each lamb will be similar to that used in the previous study, however a number of refinements will be made to the anaesthetic technique. The provision of intermittent positive pressure ventilation together with the measurement of end-tidal carbon dioxide tension will ensure normocapnia throughout the period of anaesthesia. Similarly measurement of end-tidal halothane tension will enable the depth of anaesthesia to be controlled more precisely. The equipment required to provide this degree of anaesthetic sophistication is now available (but not last year); these modifications will improve the standardisation of the baseline period and so reduce variability between subjects.
Each lamb will be anaesthetised by inhalation of halothane in oxygen. After stabilisation of the anaesthetic, the EEG will be recorded over a baseline period following which the lamb will be castrated by application of a tight rubber ring in accordance with routine animal husbandry practice. The EEG will be recorded for a further period before the discontinuation of anaesthesia. At the end of the recording period, all lambs will be given analgesia prior to recovery from anaesthesia. The EEG will be analysed off-line and the magnitude of the response to castration calculated. Data from all lambs will be combined in order to construct a picture of how the response to castration changes with age.
8.6 FRM 227
Programme Title: |
Key poultry welfare indicators (part 2) |
Programme Leader: |
Lindsay Matthews |
Institution: |
Agresearch CRI |
Programme Goal: Goal: Identify and quantify scientifically-defensible measures for assessing the welfare of poultry so that MAF, NAWAC and the Poultry Industry can access information relevant to assuring the welfare of chickens and layer hens.
Rationale: There is currently a high level of interest by policy/regulatory authorities, the public, welfare organisations, farmers and lobby groups in the welfare of poultry kept for meat and egg production. Much of this interest has been brought into focus by the Animal Welfare Act (1999) and associated Code development. In order for all interested parties to be confident that the standards of welfare specified in Codes and practiced on farms are at acceptable levels, scientifically-defensible information on poultry welfare is required. Up-to-date scientific information has been reviewed recently for MAF (Bagshaw and Matthews, 2001 a, b). There is a considerable international literature on broiler and layer welfare but, unfortunately, there are no relevant published details on the welfare status of poultry in New Zealand. Bagshaw and Matthews (2001a, b) indicated that while there are many similarities in the way that poultry are farmed in NZ and elsewhere, there are likely to be important differences (e.g. in disease status) which may influence overall welfare. Thus, there is an urgent need to identify key welfare indicators relevant to New Zealand conditions, use these measures to audit/assess the welfare status of poultry under common farming practices, and, where necessary, revise standards and recommendations in the relevant welfare codes (Broilers and Layer Hens). The Broiler Industry has shown a strong interest in co-funding a collaborative research programme in this area (the position of the layer industry is less certain), and they would use such information to develop Industry Welfare Audit Schemes to assure poultry welfare. To develop the collaborative approach, Lindsay Matthews in conjunction with Dr Caroline Bagshaw facilitated two meetings with industry veterinary/technical experts (Drs David Marks and Brian Jones; Dr Les With was unable to attend due to other commitments). The focus for the Industry would be the development of national welfare audit schemes that could be incorporated into existing Risk Management Programmes (RMP). The research on welfare indicators would be essential for the development of credible audit schemes. The AgResearch Behavior and Welfare research team have an extensive track record in the development of scientifically-defensible welfare indicators and associated best practice/QA schemes.
It is envisaged that this would be a 2 - 3 year research project, and that substantial contributions from industry will be required to meet all the goals over this period.
Bagshaw, C.S., and Matthews, L.R. 2001. Broiler welfare - a review of latest research and projects in progress internationally. Client Report to MAF Policy.
Bagshaw, C.S. and Matthews, L.R. 2001. Layer hen welfare in modified cage or alternative systems. Client Report to MAF Policy.
Contact for Enquiries
Farm Monitoring Programme Manager
Monitoring and Evaluation
MAF Policy
PO Box 2526
Wellington
NEW ZEALAND
Phone: +64 4 894 0623
Fax: +64 4 894 0741
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