Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper was to assess the economic impact of investment in different animal welfare-enhancing flooring solutions in Swedish dairy farming.Design/methodology/approachThe authors developed a bio-economic model and used stochastic partial budgeting approach to simulate the economic consequences of enhancing solid and slatted concrete floors with soft rubber covering.FindingsThe findings highlight that keeping herds on solid and slatted concrete floor surfaces with soft rubber coverings is a profitable solution, compared with keeping herds on solid and slatted concrete floors without a soft covering. The profit per cow when kept on a solid concrete floor with soft rubber covering increased by 13%-16% depending on the breed. Practical implicationsPromoting farm investments such as improvement in flooring solution, which have both economic and animal welfare incentives, is a potential way of promoting sustainable dairy production. Farmers may make investments in improved floors, resulting in enhanced animal welfare and economic outcomes necessary for sustaining dairy production.Originality/valueThis literature review indicated that the economic impact of investment in specific types of floor improvement solutions, investment costs and financial outcomes have received little attention. This study provides insights needed for a more informed decision-making process when selecting optimal flooring solutions for new and renovated barns that improve both animal welfare and ease the burden on farmers and public financial support.

Keywords

Animal welfare; Flooring solution; Partial budgeting; Sustainable dairy production

Published in

British Food Journal
2023, Volume: 125, number: 12, pages: 4415-4444
Publisher: EMERALD GROUP PUBLISHING LTD

SLU Authors

• Owusu Sekyere, Enoch

  • Department of Economics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • University of Pretoria
  • University of the Free State

• Hansson, Helena

  • Department of Economics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Telezhenko, Evgenij

  • Department of Biosystems and Technology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Nyman, Ann

  • Department of Clinical Sciences, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • Växa Sverige

UKÄ Subject classification

Economics
Animal and Dairy Science


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/BFJ-06-2022-0523

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/122696