Beef cattle welfare evaluation during the dry season in the northern Mexico’s cow-calf system using a visual methodology

Abstract

________________________________________________________________________________ AbstractA cattle welfare index was estimated through 14 visual indicators in the cow-calf system in northern Mexico. The study was carried out at 25 ranches in Chihuahua, Mexico. The indicators were rangeland forage availability; rangeland plant diversity; ease of walking owing to terrain slope; ease of walking owing to presence of rocks; water availability; water distribution; water distance; water appearance; heat protection through vegetation; cold protection through vegetation; cold protection through topography; cold protection through management; cattle docility and cattle body condition. A score of 1 to 4 was given to each indicator, rated as poor, fair, good and excellent, respectively. Ranches under study were classified according to their dominant vegetation type. Noticeable differences were obtained among animal welfare indexes, depending on rangeland type. The lowest index of 2.82 was recorded for the desert shrublands, while indexes above 3.0 were observed for the shortgrass prairie and oak-bunchgrass rangelands. Indicators with high values were water availability and distribution. The lower cattle welfare scores were related to natural factors rather than to management indicators. ________________________________________________________________________________ Keywords:Animal welfare, indicators, rangelands # Corresponding author: saucedo.ruben@inifap.gob.mx IntroductionLivestock producers are facing the need to regulate their processes according to new consumer concerns such as natural resources sustainability and animal welfare. This is true for some emerging production systems such as "organic" and "grass beef", which are based on ecological principles and good cattle health (Lund & Rocklinsberg, 2001;Cachiarelli, 2006; Schnettler et al., 2008;Rinehart, 2011). Beyond market demands, animal welfare concerns should follow deeper reasoning, such as recognizing that animals have the right to live healthily and comfortably. Nevertheless, the beef industry is still lacking on this matter. Modern production processes are designed to maximize productivity and profitability, without considering basic animal health and welfare needs (D'Silva, 2006; Thompson, 2009).Whether motivated by humanitarian incentives or not, animal welfare is an issue that has been studied widely around the world since the last decade. Von Borell & Sorensen (2004) indicated that open spaces without overcrowding are good cattle welfare indicators. Llavallol (2006) pointed out that there is no precise definition of cattle welfare, and it is therefore recommended that animals do not go through stress factors such as hunger, thirst, malnutrition, fear, anxiety, physical and thermal suffering, pain, diseases and injuries. Giraudo & Raviolo (2007) stated that animal welfare is reached with appropriate facilities to carry out sanitary and management tasks, to minimize thermal stress, provide shade and fresh water, and reduce stress during animal loading and...