Dairy farmers and their views on cow cleanliness: a qualitative study

Abstract

The negative consequences of dirty dairy cattle are well known, as they affect both animal welfare and farm economics. Despite this, the prevalence of dirty cattle remains high in Sweden, with no decreasing trend. The aim of this project was to explore dairy farmers' awareness and opinions regarding the causes of dirtiness in cattle, as well as their attitudes toward preventive measures, in order to better understand knowledge, management practices, and decision-making at the farm level. Twenty-one Swedish dairy farmers voluntarily participated in semi-structured qualitative interviews conducted during February and March 2021. Overall, the farmers believed that all housing systems can be kept clean, although the level of work required varies. They recognized that inadequate housing design complicates management. The interviews highlighted the critical importance of effective cleaning routines, which farmers consistently identified as a key factor in maintaining dairy cow cleanliness.

Keywords

Dairy farmer; cattle; cleanliness; attitudes; animal welfare

Published in

Acta Agriculturae Scandinavica, Section A - Animal Science
2025
Publisher: TAYLOR AND FRANCIS LTD

SLU Authors

• Andersson, Maria

  • Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Hägglund, Kristin

  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Westin, Rebecka

  • Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Lundmark Hedman, Frida

  • Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Animal and Dairy Science

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09064702.2025.2558213

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/143920