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<p>In Sri Lanka, limited research has been conducted to identify dairy cattle welfare issues. To observe the welfare status of dairy cows information were collected using an open structured questionnaire survey from randomly selected dairy farms (1559 dairy cows in 656 farms) in four regions [Up-Country (UP), Mid-Country (MC), Coconut Triangle (CT) and Western Province (WP)] of Sri Lanka. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 23.0 and considerable welfare issues were identified. According to this study, majority of dairy farmers were male, adult in age (31–64 years) and dairy is their main source of income. Facility-based welfare issues were identified as, low quality flooring (UP-13.4%, MC-24.7%, CT-41.9% and WP-42.7%), improper bedding materials (2.7%), inadequate bed space (14.2%), less application of dividers or partitions between cows (36%), less quality feeders and insufficient water provision (UP-59.5%, MC-35.2%, CT-47.9%, WP-22.7%). Concrete was the most prominent bedding type in Sri Lanka and extra bed length of the cubicle was positively correlated (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.001) with cow dirtiness. Prevalence of sub clinical mastitis (UP-42.9%, MC-17.9%, CT-17.9%, WP-1.3%), lameness (UP-27.7%, MC-17.6%, CT-5.9%, WP-10.3%), hock wounds (UP- 65.5%, MC-53.8%, WP-32.7% and CT-11.2%) and elevated skin/hoof temperature were identified as Animal-based welfare issues. A management score and farmer attitudes were evaluated to identify protocol-based welfare issues. Management score positively correlated with cow dirtiness (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.001) indicating that poor management practices affecting cow welfare. Therefore, to minimize the welfare issues, awareness programmes related to cow comfort is essential.</p>

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Identification of welfare issues of dairy cows in Sri Lanka

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2025年9月18日

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  • W. P. C. G. Weerasinghe,
  • E. Rajapaksha,
  • T. S. Samarakone

摘要

In Sri Lanka, limited research has been conducted to identify dairy cattle welfare issues. To observe the welfare status of dairy cows information were collected using an open structured questionnaire survey from randomly selected dairy farms (1559 dairy cows in 656 farms) in four regions [Up-Country (UP), Mid-Country (MC), Coconut Triangle (CT) and Western Province (WP)] of Sri Lanka. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 23.0 and considerable welfare issues were identified. According to this study, majority of dairy farmers were male, adult in age (31–64 years) and dairy is their main source of income. Facility-based welfare issues were identified as, low quality flooring (UP-13.4%, MC-24.7%, CT-41.9% and WP-42.7%), improper bedding materials (2.7%), inadequate bed space (14.2%), less application of dividers or partitions between cows (36%), less quality feeders and insufficient water provision (UP-59.5%, MC-35.2%, CT-47.9%, WP-22.7%). Concrete was the most prominent bedding type in Sri Lanka and extra bed length of the cubicle was positively correlated (P < 0.001) with cow dirtiness. Prevalence of sub clinical mastitis (UP-42.9%, MC-17.9%, CT-17.9%, WP-1.3%), lameness (UP-27.7%, MC-17.6%, CT-5.9%, WP-10.3%), hock wounds (UP- 65.5%, MC-53.8%, WP-32.7% and CT-11.2%) and elevated skin/hoof temperature were identified as Animal-based welfare issues. A management score and farmer attitudes were evaluated to identify protocol-based welfare issues. Management score positively correlated with cow dirtiness (P < 0.001) indicating that poor management practices affecting cow welfare. Therefore, to minimize the welfare issues, awareness programmes related to cow comfort is essential.