Cows in the pasture
    (C) HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein

    Animal welfare potential assessment in dairy farms

    (C) HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein

    Animal welfare potential assessment in dairy farms

    In a current research project at the HBLFA Raumberg-Gumpenstein, an assessment system for the animal welfare potential of dairy stables was developed based on extensive evaluation models - the FarmLife Welfare Index (FWI). The FarmLife Welfare Index is divided into three sub-areas

    • keeping conditions,
    • Animal care and management as well
    • Animal welfare.

    The evaluation of 18 indicator groups consisting of 43 individual indicators is included in these three sub-areas. The assessment takes place online via the common technical platform www.farmlife.at .

    With a high degree of practicality in use, this assessment system focuses on the animal provide the farmer with recommendations for improving any husbandry or management deficiencies

     

     

    As initial practical application results show, the assessment can be completed within a manageable period of around two hours. By taking into account the 43 influencing factors of the system, in addition to focusing on an overall index, the results of the individual subject areas are clearly visible. The farmer can use this feedback specifically to improve his stable system .

    Project manager

    Ofner-Schröck Elfriede, Dr

    Dr. Elfriede Ofner-Schröck

    Head of Institute for Organic Agriculture & Livestock Biodiversity