Reproductive and Related Disorders on Dairy Farms with Different Levels of Welfare Quality

Abstract

In this paper reproductive results of six dairy cows farms with total of 766 (farm 1 – 107; farm 2 –175; farm 3 – 49; farm 4 – 400; farm 5 –20 and farm 6 – 11 milking cows) with different system of rearing and welfare level were analyzed. A dairy cow reproductive efficiency is a key factor for milk production - impaired reproductive performance is a major cause of reduced production in dairy industry. Welfare and reproductive disorders data were collected by questionnaire regarding criteria of Animal Need Index (ANI – Bartussek et al., 2000) and compared by multidimensional criteria of total discriminating effect. Possibility of movement, lighting and air quality in the accommodation facility, type and quality of floor, possibility of social contacts with other cows and interaction of stockman with cattle were compared and analysed in respect of farm welfare. In respect to the welfare level of lowest ranked farm (farm 6), farms 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 were ranked as 4th, 2nd, 1st, 5th, 3rd, and 6th, respectively, but in respect to the reproductive and related disorders occurrence rate lowest ranked farm (farm 4), farms 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 were ranked as 1st, 4th, 2nd, 6th, 5th and 3rd. Discrepancy derives from the fact that reproduction data were collected for a year, while welfare assessment describes reached level in on particular moment of time, not covering all potential causes of reproductive disorders. Reduced reproductive success would seem promising as information about poor farm welfare, although good results often are not related to good welfare. Nevertheless, assessed welfare protection level provides important information about herd health and potential reproduction problems, pointing out that there are many opportunities for improving the quality of the welfare of dairy cows, mostly through improving the housing conditions of dairy cows.