Different Approaches to Assess the Welfare of Dairy Cows with Some Results in Serbia

Abstract

In this paper, different methodologies for assessing the welfare of dairy cows, such as Animal Needs Index, system of welfare indicators, system of behaviour indicators and the Welfare Quality® assessment protocol for cattle were discussed. Also, the results of the usage of these methodologies in Serbia were analyzed. In the last several years in the country, numerous studies have been conducted about welfare of dairy cattle. State of welfare of dairy cows, on farms with tied and free system estimated by mentioned methodologies was generally acceptable. The major problems in the welfare of cows are insufficient amounts of floor litter, lack of cow access to outdoor runs or pasture, occurrence of lameness, dystocia, downer cow syndrome and mortality, the manifestation of aggression between the animals and improper relationship between stockmen and animals. On the basis of the results, it can be stated that in Serbia only recently enough attention has been paid to monitoring and understanding the current welfare state of dairy cows, which are the first important steps to achieve improvements in practical terms.