Page 4 - AWA Vol.41-No.4

Animal welfare

The practice of dairy production in a factory farm sources; the more favorable and more expensive. all
environment has been criticized by animal welfare milk protein (e.g. whey protein- a by-product of the
activists some of the ethical complaints regarding cheese industry) and alternative proteins including
dairy production cited include how often the dairy soy, animal plasma and wheat gluten. The ideal lev-
cattle must remain pregnant, the separation of calves els for fat and protein in milk replacer are 10-28%
from their mothers, how dairy cattle are housed and and 18-30%, respectively. The higher the energy
environmental concerns regarding dairy produc- levels (fat and protein), the less starter feed (feed
tion. which is given to young animals) the animal will con-
The production of milk requires that the cow be in sume. Weaning can take place when a calf is con-
lactation, which is a result of the cow having given suming at least two pounds of starter feed a day and
birth to a calf. The cycle of insemination, pregnancy, has been on starter for at least three weeks. Milk re-
parturition, and lactation, followed by a "dry" period placer has climbed in cost US$15–20 a bag in recent
of about two months of forty-five to fifty days, before years, so early weaning is economically crucial to
calving which allows udder tissue to regenerate. effective calf management.
A dry period that falls outside this time frame can Common ailments affecting dairy cows include in-
result in decreased milk production in subsequent fectious disease mastitis, endometritis and digital
lactation.
dermatitis, metabolic disease milk fever and keto-
An important part of the dairy industry is the re- sis) and injuries caused by their environment. hoof
moval of the calves off the mother's milk after the and hock lesions.
three days of needed colostrum.
Lameness is commonly considered one of the most
Allowing for the collection of the milk produced. significant animal welfare issues for dairy cattle,
On some dairies, in order for this to take place, the and is best defined as any abnormality that causes
calves are fed milk replacer, a substitute for the an animal to change its gait. It can be caused by a
whole milk produced by the cow.[38] Milk replacer number of sources, including infections of the hoof
is generally a powder, which comes in large bags, tissue. fungal infections that cause dermatitis) and
and is added to precise amounts of water, and then physical damage causing bruising or lesions. ulcers
fed to the calf via bucket, bottle or automated feed- or hemorrhage of the hoof).] Housing and manage-
er. ment features common in modern dairy farms such
Milk replacers are classified by three categories: as concrete barn floors, limited access to pasture
protein source, protein/fat (energy) levels, and and suboptimal bed-stall design have been iden-
medication or additives (e.g. vitamins and minerals. tified as contributing risk factors to infections and
Proteins for the milk replacer come from different injuries.

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2 Vol. 41 No. 4