Animal welfare 2007/08

Animal wellbeing is the foundation of dairy farming. Healthy animals are productive animals. Also, being able to continue to assure consumers, regulators and our fellow citizens in general that we look after animals well is important for our ongoing farming business. Animal welfare applies not just on the farm, but also for off-farm activities such as transport of dairy cattle. Research and development helps to ensure that our industry is doing things right by our cows and that there's an understanding of this internationally, among consumers and regulators.

Below is a summary of projects carried out during the 2007/08 season in the Animal Welfare area.
Note: These were proposed contracted amounts. Actual final paid amounts may vary from these numbers.

Project	Project Number	Description	Partners	Funding (Excl. GST)
The significance of New Zealand climate to dairy cattle welfare	30110	Understanding how climate affects the welfare, behavior and production levels of dairy cows is becoming increasingly important to farmers. Overseas research has shown a link between temperature-induced stress and a decline in milk production and milk quality. This project validates these overseas research findings, identifies a weather-based system to predict risk of climatic stress, and identifies practical ways for farmers to minimise stress in their cows.	AgResearch Ltd	$459,000
Body condition score and animal welfare status of dairy cows	30091	This project provided a comprehensive review of the scientific literature on the relationship between the body condition score of dairy cows and their welfare. The report shows that body condition scores influence milk production, reproductive performance and metabolic diseases. However, body condition scores were not related to the incidence of clinical mastitis. The review forms the basis for identifying the research required by the dairy industry to assess (with scientific justification) the appropriate body condition (and liveweight) to protect the health and welfare of dairy cattle throughout their annual production cycle and productive life. The research programme will be developed within the context of industry-relevant animal, farm and environmental management practices.	Massey University	$22,000
Animal health and welfare technical support	10179	The Animal Health and Welfare Technical Support project allows DairyNZ to use technical expertise to act on behalf of, and provide leadership for, the dairy industry in certain areas. The areas include biosecurity, animal health, and disease control through liaison and technical advice to DairyNZ, Dairy Companies, the Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry (MAF) and the New Zealand Food Safety Authority. The project also enables representation for the dairy industry on MAF technical committees. This DairyNZ investment is reconsidered on an annual basis.	LIC	$20,000