Association between animal welfare, productive performance, and staff satisfaction in Portuguese dairy farms
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2022
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O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a relação entre indicadores de bem-estar animal com: a) performance produtiva; b) medidas extra de bem-estar animal, e c) satisfação no local de trabalho, em explorações leiteiras em Portugal. Estabelecemos a hipótese que existem correlações positivas entre os resultados Welfare Quality®, performance produtiva e satisfação
no local de trabalho, assim como uma correlação negativa com o uso de antibióticos. Dez explorações foram avaliadas, utilizando o protocolo Welfare Quality®. As medidas adicionais de bem-estar animal foram obtidas através do Bovinfor®, Lactinfo©, e através dos registos de tratamento dos produtores. Finalmente, a satisfação no local de trabalho foi avaliada com um questionário e com o cálculo do índice de satisfação dos trabalhadores.
Os resultados finais Welfare Quality® mostraram-se relacionados com a produção
média diária (p= 0,002), produção total aos 305 DEL (p= 0,024), e tenderam a estar
relacionados com o número de animais que atingiram 305 DEL (p= 0,090). O uso de antibióticos de importância crítica tenderam a estar relacionados com o critério “Absence of
disease” (p= 0,071). Finalmente, a satisfação no local de trabalho mostrou um sector leiteiro
subdesenvolvido, quando comparado com os restantes países europeus.
Com estes resultados podemos aceitar a hipótese de que os resultados Welfare Quality® estão positivamente relacionados com a performance produtiva, negativamente correlacionados com o uso de antibióticos e que a satisfação no local de trabalho precisa de ser aprofundada.
Palavras-chave: Bem-estar animal, Welfare Quality®, Vaca leiteira, Performance produtiva,
Satisfação no trabalho
The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship of animal welfare indicators with: a) productive performance; b) animal welfare extra measures, and c) workplace satisfaction, in dairy farms in Portugal. We hypothesized that there are positive correlations among the Welfare Quality® results, productive performance, and workplace satisfaction and a negative correlation with antibiotic usage. Ten farms were evaluated for animal welfare using the Welfare Quality® protocol. The additional animal welfare indicators were obtained via Bovinfor®, Lactinfo©, and by the farmers treatment records. Finally, workplace satisfaction was assessed with a questionnaire and with the calculation of the employee satisfaction index. The Welfare Quality® final score results were related with average daily production (p= 0,002), 305 DIM cumulative production (p= 0,024), and tended to be related with number of animals reaching 305 DIM (p= 0,090). In addition, critical importance antibiotics tended to be related with the absence of disease criteria (p= 0,071). Finally, workplace satisfaction showed an underdeveloped dairy sector, when compared to the remaining European countries. With these results we can accept the hypothesis that Welfare Quality® results are positively related with productive performance, negatively correlated with antibiotic usage and that workplace satisfaction needs to be deepened. Keywords: Animal welfare, Welfare Quality®, Dairy cow, Productive performance, Job Satisfaction
The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship of animal welfare indicators with: a) productive performance; b) animal welfare extra measures, and c) workplace satisfaction, in dairy farms in Portugal. We hypothesized that there are positive correlations among the Welfare Quality® results, productive performance, and workplace satisfaction and a negative correlation with antibiotic usage. Ten farms were evaluated for animal welfare using the Welfare Quality® protocol. The additional animal welfare indicators were obtained via Bovinfor®, Lactinfo©, and by the farmers treatment records. Finally, workplace satisfaction was assessed with a questionnaire and with the calculation of the employee satisfaction index. The Welfare Quality® final score results were related with average daily production (p= 0,002), 305 DIM cumulative production (p= 0,024), and tended to be related with number of animals reaching 305 DIM (p= 0,090). In addition, critical importance antibiotics tended to be related with the absence of disease criteria (p= 0,071). Finally, workplace satisfaction showed an underdeveloped dairy sector, when compared to the remaining European countries. With these results we can accept the hypothesis that Welfare Quality® results are positively related with productive performance, negatively correlated with antibiotic usage and that workplace satisfaction needs to be deepened. Keywords: Animal welfare, Welfare Quality®, Dairy cow, Productive performance, Job Satisfaction
Descrição
Orientação: Rui Afonso d’Orey Branco
Palavras-chave
MESTRADO INTEGRADO EM MEDICINA VETERINÁRIA, MEDICINA VETERINÁRIA, VETERINÁRIA, BEM-ESTAR ANIMAL, GADO LEITEIRO, SATISFAÇÃO PROFISSIONAL, DESEMPENHO PROFISSIONAL, VETERINARY MEDICINE, ANIMAL WELFARE, DAIRY CATTLE, PROFESSIONAL SATISFACTION, PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE, WELFARE QUALITY