Acknowledgements Book of abstracts - Publicaties - Vlaanderen.be
Acknowledgements Book of abstracts - Publicaties - Vlaanderen.be
Acknowledgements Book of abstracts - Publicaties - Vlaanderen.be
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Dan Prendiville presents Poster 99 during the poster sessions in the Aula.<br />
Session theme 8: Application <strong>of</strong> welfare assessment protocols<br />
171<br />
Poster 99<br />
ANIMAL WELFARE INDEX (AWI), AN ON-FARM SURVEY OF BEEF<br />
SUCKLER HERDS IN IRELAND<br />
D.J. Prendiville, M. Mazurek, B. Earley<br />
Teagasc, Grange Beef Research Centre, Dunsany, Co. Meath, Ireland<br />
Improving animal welfare is an increasingly important aspect <strong>of</strong> livestock production systems. The<br />
objective <strong>of</strong> the study was to determine the welfare status <strong>of</strong> Irish <strong>be</strong>ef suckler herds using a<br />
modified animal welfare index (AWI).<br />
Two hundred and twenty <strong>be</strong>ef suckler farms were visited throughout 13 counties, once at housing<br />
and once at pasture. The data collected on a questionnaire evaluated 66 parameters (p), in 10<br />
categories. The categories at housing were; housing (13 parameters; p), environment (9p), facilities<br />
(8p), water (5p), social (5p), stockmanship (5p), health (11p) and husbandry practices (2p). The<br />
categories at pasture were: field (9p), grass quality (3p) and water quality (5p). Three other<br />
parameters regarding the size <strong>of</strong> the farm were also collected (illustrative parameters).<br />
The AWI ranged from 77% to 99% <strong>of</strong> the total score (Mean 89%, s.d =4.11). Housing scores were<br />
lower (p
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