Smallholder family farmers’ perceptions, attitudes and choices regarding husbandry practices that influence performance and welfare of lactating dairy calves

• Autor(a) principal: Fruscalso,Vilmar
• Data de Publicação: 2017
• Outros Autores: Antillón,Gabriela Olmos, Hötzel,Maria José
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Ciência Rural
• Texto Completo: http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0103-84782017001100801
• topic: dairy; lactation; suckling; young cattle

ABSTRACT: This study aimed to describe the management practices used in dairy farms in the south of Brazil, and to understand farmers’ perceptions and attitudes regarding these practices. Farms (n=135) located in all 32 of the municipalities in the northern region of Rio Grande do Sul (Alto Uruguai Gaúcho), Brazil were characterized regarding all calf management practices during a farm visit where farms were inspected and farmers interviewed. In a second visit, 25 in depth interviews were done to understand farmers’ attitudes and perceptions towards these practices and potential influence on calves’ welfare and performance. Management of lactating calves was perceived by most of the interviewees as of marginal importance for dairy activity. In general farmers did not perceive animal welfare as relevant, and most chose management practices mainly based on practical, productive and economic factors. These conclusions are consistent with management practices used by farmers, many of which represent risk factors for low calves’ survival, growth and welfare. Seven factors (self-responsibility, economic ambition, technical assistance, family succession, urban experiences, specialization and family commitment) appeared to influence farmers’ perceptions, attitudes and choices regarding husbandry practices that affect the welfare and performance of calves, which may be considered when designing programs aiming to improve dairy calf management.