Evaluación de bienestar animal en fincas bovinas lecheras basadas en pastoreo en la Sabana de Bogotá, Colombia

Abstract

Objective. The aim of this study was to determine an overall on-farm animal welfare score (WS) for dairy farms using a protocol involving animal- and management/resource-based variables; and to identify the variables that contributed the most to the variance for the WS. Materials and methods. Twenty-five pasture-based dairy farms in Savanna of Bogota - Colombian high tropic, were visited twice. During each visit, a total of 15 animal- and 13 management/resource-based variables were evaluated. For each variable, a herd-level negative cut-off point was established to determine compliance. Based on compliance, a WS was determined (from 0 to 100) and farms were classified as 'excellent', 'enhanced', 'acceptable', or 'non-acceptable'. A linear regression model was used to evaluate the association between variables at the herd-level with the WS. Results. Overall, median WS was 82 (min=67; max=97). Two farms were classified as 'excellent' (WS=94.5), 20 as 'enhanced' (WS=82.5), and 3 as 'acceptable' (WS=68). Among all variables, the noncompliance regarding subclinical mastitis, hind-legs and udder dirtiness score, ventral line wounds, Haematobia irritans fly counts, and condition/cleanliness of pre-milking holding area was significantly associated with a 5.6, 3.6, 6.7, 5.1, 6.5, and 6.1 points reduction in the WS, respectively (R2=0.84). Conclusions. Welfare level found across farms was good and encouraging. Nonetheless, six variables were identified as the main contributors to an unfavorable result. Strategies for improvement could focus on these variables to be able to reach a welfare level of ‘excellence’.

Prevalencia, incidencia y factores de riesgo de mastitis subclínica en lecherías especializadas en Colombia

“…Figura 2. Efecto (IC 95%) de la prevalencia de mastitis subclínica a nivel-finca sobre el recuento bacterias mesófilas aerobias en cantina (recipiente de aluminio inoxidable para el transporte de un volumen máximo de 40 l de leche) o tanque de leche en lecherías especializadas.Cundinamarca, Colombia, 2019-2020 …”

“…Figure 2. Effect (95% CI) of the prevalence of subclinical mastitis at farm-level on the mesophilic aerobic bacteria count in canteen (stainless aluminum container for transporting a maximum volume of 40 l of milk) or milk tank on dairy farms.Cundinamarca, Colombia, 2019-2020 …”

“…Descriptive statistics of the independent variables related to herd-level variables: management practices during milking in each farm, % (n) a , and the median (ICR) of the somatic cells counts and mesophilic aerobic bacteria counts from canteen* or milk tank on specialized dairies.Cundinamarca, Colombia, 2019-2020 …”

“…Final mixed logistic regression model of factors associated with the probability of presentation of subclinical mastitis positive cases (infected vs. non-infected) throughout the three visits made to specialized dairies.Cundinamarca, Colombia, 2019-2020 …”

“…Final mixed logistic regression model of factors associated with the presentation of new cases (n = 103/262) of subclinical mastitis in lactating cows in specialized dairies.Cundinamarca, Colombia, 2019-2020 …”