Studies Show Animal Treatment, Productivity Linked
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Today, it's not just animal-rights activists who are asking questions about how farm animals are raised. Food animal well-being has become a mainstream issue with consumers and businesses, as well.
Recent news headlines have touted the "Free-Farmed" food label, which certifies the compassionate treatment of farm animals, and efforts by McDonald's Corp. to set welfare guidelines for its poultry suppliers.
Purdue researchers also are asking questions about farm animal well-being and supplying some of the scientific support for sound livestock handling practices.
"Producers have always been animal welfarists," says Jeff Armstrong, head of Purdue's Department of Animal Sciences. "But while researchers and producers see the relationship between animal well-being and productivity, consumers may not."
Armstrong, who serves on national animal welfare committees for McDonald's and egg and pork producers, says more research is needed.
"The challenge is to scientifically evaluate our production practices to ensure that we are raising animals in humane ways," he says. "And, when necessary, show producers where changes need to be made."
Promoting animal well-being is one of the primary goals of Purdue's Food Animal Productivity and Well-Being Center. Purdue scientists have joined with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Livestock Behavior Unit, also located at Purdue, and other groups to create one of the few locations in the country where multi-disciplinary animal well-being research is under way.
Current research projects integrate discoveries in animal well-being with developments in meat quality, pre-harvest food safety, genetics and farm production systems.
Center director Paul Thompson says Purdue's efforts are unique because of the variety of perspectives that come into the discussion. "It's not just about raising a healthy animal," he says. "We are also considering quality of life and other ethical concerns."
Ed Pajor, assistant professor of animal sciences, says aspects of well-being can be measured in a variety of ways. Scientists are developing methods for determining well-being based on behavior, physiology, productivity, health and other indicators.
Part of the dilemma for researchers is sorting through conflicting signs. For example, what's considered normal animal behavior may not always be nice.
"Aggression, whether its fighting for food or establishing who's 'Boss Hog' is a natural behavior, but it also causes some unpleasant conditions for animals," Pajor says.
There also are trade-offs between good animal-health practices and those that may be too restrictive to the animal, Pajor says.
"Individual stalls allow for good animal management, but limit an animal's movement and ability to socialize," he says. Pajor is looking into group housing arrangements and larger stalls.
Other Purdue animal research has produced interesting findings:
* Sows and litters -- Pajor wondered whether sows, if given the choice, would spend more or less time with their offspring, and what effect it might have on the piglets at weaning. When given the freedom to move out of their pens, most of the sows chose to spend time away from the piglets -- and for long periods of time.
"The piglets kept in these 'get-away' pens were better prepared for the eventual weaning and separation from the sow," Pajor says.
* Dairy cattle handling -- Pajor found a definite dislike among cows for cattle prods and yelling. "When you need them to move, a pat on the rump or a simple twist of the tail are most effective and well-received by the animals," Pajor says. Mishandled cows are more difficult to handle and give less milk, particularly when the person who mishandles them is present at milking, he says.
* Animal behavior -- Bill Muir, a professor of animal sciences, developed a genetic method of "group selection" that can be used to modify behavior in animal species. Muir used the method to develop a line of kinder, gentler chickens that do not peck on each other.
Muir says changing the genetic line means the chickens can keep their long beaks, rather than have them trimmed to keep them from harming each other. Based at least in part on the research, the poultry industry -- as well as McDonald's -- hopes to eliminate beak trimming.
* Pork transportation -- USDA researcher Susan Eicher's studies give new meaning to the phrase "lean and mean." Her studies show that today's leaner pigs are more stressed during transport, which leads to more deaths.
"Some of these problems may be handled with better breeding programs," she says. "But it may also be that we need to learn different ways of handling these particular pigs."
* Dairy cattle tail-docking -- Another Eicher study showed that adult cows weren't bothered by tail-docking, a practice used to improve milking parlor hygiene. Calves, however, disliked tail-docking.
Comments on Ag Answers? Story Ideas? Please share them with Steve Leer (sleer@aes.purdue.edu), Ag Answers Writer/Editor, Agricultural Communication Service, Purdue University.
Specific questions about livestock, crops, weeds, gardens, trees, insects, etc., should be referred to Cooperative Extension Service offices, which are located in every county in the United States. Extension offices can provide answers that specifically address local questions and problems.
This page is maintained by Carla Johnson (cj@aes.purdue.edu), Secretary, Agricultural Communication Service, Purdue University.
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