Western Canadian dairy farmers' perspectives on the provision of outdoor access for dairy cows and on the perceptions of other stakeholders

Abstract

The provision of pasture and outdoor access for dairy cattle differs around the globe. For example, in Ireland, New Zealand, and Australia, dairy farms are largely pasture based, whereas dairy farms in the United States and Canada are largely confinement based. There is a high level of public support for pasture and outdoor access for dairy cows, and the available evidence shows that dairy cattle are highly motivated to access pasture, especially at night. The decision as to whether to provide outdoor access is typically made by farmers, but little is known about dairy farmers' perspectives on this topic. We investigated perspectives of Western Canadian dairy farmers on outdoor access, as well as how they believe different stakeholders (i.e., the dairy industry, the dairy cows, and the general public) regard outdoor access for dairy cows. Data were collected via (1) 11 focus group discussions with a total of 50 Western Canadian dairy farmers, and (2) semi-structured individual interviews with an additional 6 dairy farmers of Hutterite colonies. Data were analyzed using template analysis. Although most participants in this study did not provide outdoor access on their farms, or only provided outdoor access to certain cow groups, participants generally mentioned that they enjoyed seeing cows on pasture or outdoors. However, participants shared that the Canadian supply management system (including processors) required a consistent flow of production, which was thought to be easier and more economically realized with indoor housing of lactating cows. Participants believed that pasture or outdoor access for dairy cows was desired by the public. Some participants believed that dairy cows prefer to spend time outside under favorable weather conditions, but others felt that cows preferred to stay indoors in modern, ventilated freestall barns. The results of this study describe the perspectives of dairy farmers regarding the views of dairy industry stakeholders as they relate to outdoor access, helping to inform conversations around the provision of outdoor access for dairy cattle.

How might the public contribute to the discussion on cattle welfare? Perspectives of veterinarians and animal scientists

“…in Canada [Schuppli et al 2014]; Brazil [Hötzel et al 2017]; the UK [Jackson et al 2020]; and Australia [Hendricks et al 2022a]). Moreover, valuing pasture access is not unique to the public, as farmers and veterinarians also express beliefs in the importance of pasture and outdoor access (Schuppli et al 2014;Smid et al 2022).…”

Fellow cows and conflicting farmers: Public perceptions of dairy farming uncovered through frame analysis

“…Despite this, the farming industry and external audiences continue to diverge over how farm animals should be kept ( 2 ), with public dissatisfaction about current methods expressed through a range of vehicles including survey results ( 3 , 4 ), online campaigns ( 5 , 6 ), government policy ( 7 , 8 ), and product development ( 9 , 10 ). However, there is evidence that farmers and veterinarians dismiss such concerns on grounds of the public being uninformed about farming ( 11 – 14 ), unaware of the realities of livestock production ( 15 , 16 ), influenced by animal rights advocates ( 11 , 12 , 17 ), prone to anthropomorphism ( 11 ), or naïve about the economic impacts of changing practices ( 18 ). As well as this, farmers and farm industry representatives have expressed frustration across a variety of public media about “being told how to farm” by those they believe lack knowledge of the industry or its technicalities ( 19 – 21 ).…”