Dairy farming: Breeding

The success of dairy farming is directly related to animal welfare. To this end, measures must be taken to improve the production system, such as sprinklers and fans. The aim is to minimize heat stress, one of the points of attention when it comes to dairy farming, since cows in disturbed situations eat less and have an inadequate body condition score, impacting on a drop in fertility, a reduction in milk production and an increase in the incidence of metabolic disorders.

In addition, a balanced diet and quality water must be offered, as well as adequate shade. It is also important to train employees in the needs and natural behavior of these animals, in order to use rational cattle management. This will strengthen the human-animal relationship, especially during milking, ensuring the safety of the herd and the workers, obtaining a herd capable of expressing its full genetic potential in milk production, with added value to the product originating from welfare standards.

What are the evaluation criteria for the Dairy Cattle Animal Welfare program?  

For dairy farming, the audit is made up of the evaluation criterion considered to be "zero tolerance", referring to intentional acts of abuse and/or negligence, which will result in automatic failure of the audit.

The other criteria assessed are grouped into the following themes:

• Management model: the farm must have an animal welfare policy/program; employee training; emergency action plan.
• Health: have a health program.
• Special needs, hospitalized/hospitalized animals: daily monitoring of cattle; keep facilities adequate and clean; Operational Euthanasia Protocol described.
• Observation of the animals: assess locomotion and body condition score; hygiene; leg injuries; broken tails.
• Nutrition: for lactating cows, heifers, heifers and dry cows; prevention of metabolic disorders.
• Facilities: must be kept in perfect condition to avoid accidents and injuries, with non-slip floors and appropriate lighting; pest control program; monitor temperature and humidity.
• Milking: scheduled maintenance of milking equipment; there should be a standardized operational protocol for cases of mastitis.
• Calves and heifers: prioritize the protocol for colostrum management; adequate stalls for calves; protocol for treating sick calves; weaning animals.
• Handling and transportation: operational procedures must be in place
  

What are the certification criteria for the Dairy Animal Welfare program?

The property must score ≥80% of the compliance criteria and no items classified as intentional acts of abuse or neglect can be identified on the day of the audit, such as: dragging conscious animals, applying electric prods to sensitive parts of the animals and hitting them. In the case of non-conformities classified as critical, which directly affect the animals, they must be stopped immediately, where applicable, in addition to presenting an action plan with corrective measures and undergoing a verification audit.

Why choose Animal Welfare Certification for dairy cattle?

Animal Welfare Certification brings several benefits to those involved, including:  

• Implementation of good management practices that guarantee animal welfare, meeting the requirements of national and international legislation and protocols.
• Transparency of the production process for the end consumer.
• Increasing consumer market loyalty.
• Facilitate commercial agreements with more demanding clients.
• Be more attractive to new investments.

Why choose QIMA/WQS for Animal Welfare certification for dairy cattle?

• Our team, with over 30 years' experience in the food industry supply chain, is ready to deliver quality end-to-end solutions for your business.
• Specializing in the food industry, QIMA/WQS has a structure designed to get you started quickly and is ready to answer any questions you may have along the way.
• Our protocols are applied by auditors certified by PAACO (Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization).
• We have the QIMA/WQS Animal Welfare Seal, communicating clearly and directly to the end consumer about the strict auditing and certification process the company has undergone.
• More than 9,000 satisfied customers at all stages of the food chain are proof of the quality, dedication and success offered by QIMA/WQS.