Advances in Cattle Welfare

Advances in Cattle Welfare provides a targeted overview of contemporary issues in dairy and beef cattle welfare. The volume addresses welfare-related topics in both research and on-farm applications.

Opening with an introduction to cattle production systems, the book covers the three major areas of cattle welfare; on-farm welfare assessment, behavioral priorities of cattle and novel perspectives on specific aspects of management. Chapters examine the key issues within each area, including such topics as the goals and measures included in welfare assessments, the importance to cattle of access to pasture and engaging in social behavior, human-animal interactions, painful procedures, and disease and metabolic challenge.

This book is an essential part of the wider ranging series Advances in Farm Animal Welfare, with coverage of cattle, sheep and pigs.

With its expert editor and international team of contributors, Advances in Cattle Welfare is a key reference tool for welfare research scientists and students, veterinarians involved in welfare assessment, and indeed anyone with a professional interest in the welfare of cattle.

Brings together top researchers in the field to provide a comprehensive overview of recent advances in the understanding of cattle welfare and managementAnalyzes welfare issues for both dairy and beef cattle of all agesExamines the issues from the perspective of what will be most important for the animal’s overall welfare, from housing systems to feeding

1. Overview of cattle production systems 2. Assessment of cattle welfare: Common animal-based measures 3. Assessment of cattle welfare: Approaches, goals and next steps on farms 4. Human-animal interactions: Effects, challenges, and progress 5. Cattle priorities: feed and water selection, ability to move freely and to access pasture 6. The role of social behaviour in cattle welfare 7. Painful procedures: When and what should we be measuring in cattle? 8. Disease and injury: Beyond current thinking about top causes of cattle morbidity 9. Metabolic challenge: How does it affect welfare?