Animal welfare in Mexican dual-purpose cattle herds in the tropics : with focus on feeding and housing

Abstract: Chiapas is a state in the southeast of Mexico where the climate is tropical, both humid and dry. The predominant cattle production system found is dual-purpose, which on every productive cycle produces both milk and meat. Growing concern about animal welfare can be seen among consumers, who expect their food to be produced with respect to the animals and their welfare. Animal welfare assessment on farm is needed to inform animal unit managers about the welfare status on their farm and to identify areas in need of improvement. Strategies for improving animal welfare can thereafter be implemented which is an important step in the work for improving the quality of animal products. In this study we conducted welfare assessments on 34 farms, located in San Pedro Buena Vista, using a modified Welfare Quality® Assessment protocol for cattle to suit this kind of small-scale production in the tropics. The protocol from Welfare Quality® is based on the five freedoms from the Farm Animal Welfare Council and is based on the welfare principles Good Feeding, Good Housing, Good Health and Appropriate behaviour. This study focuses on Good feeding and Good housing. The main findings were that absence of prolonged hunger and absence of prolonged thirst were the areas where improvements are necessary for better animal welfare. Housing was good according to the protocol since there is very little infrastructure on these farms and no housing is needed. The animals are kept on extensive pastures most of the time and a better way of assessing this kind of housing would be needed to get a better understanding of the actual welfare. There is also a need to create a method to properly assess thermal comfort since heat stress is more common in the tropics than in thermal climates, where the original WQ® protocol was developed. Further studies should focus on feed management to improve Good Feeding. Providing knowledge to the farmers is important to find alternative management practices that is economically feasible to both increase their productivity and animal welfare.