The meaning of animal well-being for farmers and dairy farm employees

Abstract

Dairy farms in Sweden have undergone a structural change. The number of family farms has decreased, while the number of large dairy farms with employees caring for the animals has increased. This changing situation has created a new farming landscape. From that perspective, it is crucial to gain insight into what factors contribute to the well-being of humans and animals on big dairy farms. Twenty-three semi -structured interviews were conducted on three farms. Farmers and employees were interviewed. The material was analysed using a qualitative approach inspired by qualitative content analysis. For the farmers and employees, animal well-being was central for various reasons and from different perspectives. Despite the differences, the impact of animal well-being was interlinked between the two groups. An increased and deeper understanding of the different perspectives and needs arising from the different roles of farmers and employees can provide new knowledge about factors important for improving animal well-being.

Keywords

big dairy farms; job satisfaction; animal health; milk production; animal welfare

Published in

Agricultural and Food Science
2024, volume: 33, number: 1, pages: 30-39

SLU Authors

• Axelsson, Louise

  • Department of People and Society, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • The Rural Economy and Agricultural Societies

• Arvidsson Segerkvist, Katarina

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

• Palsdottir, Anna Maria

  • Department of People and Society, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Ljung, Magnus

  • Department of People and Society, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

UKÄ Subject classification

Animal and Dairy Science

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.23986/afsci.136008

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/129120