Verification of handling practices in cattle as a criterion for association with animal welfare

• DOI: 10.22533/at.ed.9732172210129

• Palavras-chave: cattle breeding; animal handling; five freedoms

• Keywords: cattle breeding; animal handling; five freedoms

• Abstract:

  The search for productivity allied to ethical issues and the demands of a more demanding and competitive market have directed efforts towards improvements in the level of animal welfare within the productive sector. The objective was to evaluate the impacts of animal management on the well-being of bovine herds, within the productive structure of the farms. Dichotomous questionnaires were developed focusing on sanitary, nutritional, reproductive and facilities management, relating these themes to animal welfare. The questionnaires were applied in 30 rural properties intended for the production of milk and beef in the region of the city of Chapadinha, from December 2021 to April 2022. It was found that attention to the production system goes beyond care for facilities, health, nutrition or animal reproduction, involving concern for the behavior, adaptation, physiological state and well-being of the animal. In general, the management and structural aspects of rural properties meet the basic needs of producers. However, a contribution is needed in terms of technical monitoring, animal environment, better structures for the animals, adequacy of management to the animal's ethological arsenal in order to obtain better production rates.