Dairy farmers' preferences for immediate versus late calf separation.

The practice of separating calves from their dams right after birth is one of the main dairy cattle welfare concerns among the public. Farmer perceptions about the practice and the available alternative contact systems in the US are however, not well understood. Using data from a sample of Wisconsin dairy farmers, the study examines farmer preferences for different prolonged (relative to immediate separation) contact systems and the potential role of farm structural and individual-level specific factors. Four alternative hypothetical systems - free dam, half day, foster cow, and restricted suckling systems - differing on the basis of calf access to dam-were considered. The analysis controls for farm size, production system (conventional, organic, grazing), farmer socio-demographic characteristics in addition to farm animal welfare (FAW) perceptions. The findings indicate that amongst the set of alternative practices considered, foster cow system is most preferred alternative to the conventional early separation practised by most farmers. This is followed by restricted suckling systems. The least ranked alternative system is free calf-dam contact. The analyses further indicate that calf contact duration is negatively associated with herd size. Relative to conventional farms, calf-dam pairs on grazing, organic and mixed farms are less likely to be separated immediately after birth. Prolonged calf-dam contact is also prevalent amongst older farmers. Overall, the findings imply that farming system and structural considerations may be the key drivers of transition to prolonged contact systems in dairy production. Foster cow systems may offer the most feasible pathway for achieving this objective.

Too Close to Eat? Solidarity with Animals, Animal Welfare and Antibiotic Use.

Meat consumption is influenced by a variety of factors including feelings of affinity towards farm animals. The goal of this study was to examine the relationship between solidarity with animals, attitudes towards the treatment of animals and antibiotics use in livestock, and pork  consumption. Data were drawn from a sample of 265 respondents in the US. Correlation and mediation analyses were performed. The results indicate a moderate but positive correlation between solidarity with animals and proecological beliefs. The association between attitudes towards the treatment of farm animals, aspects of the attitudes towards antibiotic use and solidarity with animals was also positive. We also find  that proecological beliefs and concerns about the treatment of farm animals negatively influenced consumption. The effect of attitudes towards antibiotic use and solidarity with animals on consumption were however fully mediated by proecological beliefs. The results suggest that social identification with animals can play a significant role in food choice. However, its effect is part of a broader connection to nature. Holistic approaches are therefore required to address livestock production practices that may be considered unnatural.