France 2030
Challenge Lycées Agricoles
Report: animal welfare assessment embedded at the heart of dairy sector commitments
Since 2020, the Cniel has demonstrated its commitment to animal welfare through its participation in an assessment protocol to improve farming practices. The approach is based on measurable assessment indicators and an evaluation method that can be rolled out to every dairy farm across France. Thierry Bertot, a dairy farmer in Normandy, agreed to have his dairy herd assessed.
We are heading towards Eure, where Thierry Bertot is welcoming us on his farm. This 58-year-old producer took over the farm twenty years ago on the retirement of his parents. Working with his brother Yann and a part-time employee, he currently tends a herd of 88 Prim’Holstein dairy cattle on 164 hectares of farmland.
Like 50% of dairy producers to date, he has taken part in the welfare evaluation of his herd using the BoviWell assessment tool. This is an approach that supports the concerns, as Thierry underlines, already firmly rooted in the daily practices of producers, given that beyond the financial interest in keeping their herd in good health, « Farmers choose this profession out of passion and are obviously genuinely concerned about animal welfare. » The BoviWell assessment tool is the means to identify what they are already doing well and any potential areas of improvement.
2025 objective: 100% of dairy farmers supported in the area of animal welfare
Firmly embedded in the latest version of the Good Farming Practice Charter since 2022, the BoviWell method assesses herd welfare using a set of assessment indicators defined by farming professionals, including technicians, veterinarians and agricultural consultants. The approach is underpinned by two objectives: on the one hand, helping farmers evolve their practices as part of a more general farming improvement approach, and on the other, to be able to inform consumers in a clear and reliable manner on the reality of French farming. Interbev, the interprofessional body for beef cattle and meat has adopted the same BoviWell approach to assessing the welfare of their ‘beef herds’. The Cniel is looking to roll out this large-scale animal welfare assessment approach to all 46,000 French dairy farms by 2025.
François Toch, technical advisor at Sodiaal since 2006, is tasked with assessing the Bertot herd. François explains: « We started to use BoviWell on farms in 2020, initially on a purely voluntary basis. To date, 30%* of co-operative producers have been assessed, and we are aiming for 100% by 2025 ». Like all advisors responsible for implementing the assessment, François took part in a training day before carrying out animal welfare assessments in 180 farms under his responsibility, from Normandy to Eure-et-Loir.
François Toch, technical advisor at Sodiaal since 2006, is tasked with assessing the Bertot herd. François explains: « We started to use BoviWell on farms in 2020, initially on a purely voluntary basis. To date, 30%* of co-operative producers have been assessed, and we are aiming for 100% by 2025 ». Like all advisors responsible for implementing the assessment, François took part in a training day before carrying out animal welfare assessments in 180 farms under his responsibility, from Normandy to Eure-et-Loir.
*[At the time of publication: December 2022]
Animal welfare assessment underpinned by sixteen assessment indicators
The diagnostic phase is a 2-stage process: after discussing the challenges of the approach with Thierry, François proceeds with an ‘on the ground’ survey, inside the building. Equipped with a tablet, he inputs any observations and information provided by the producer directly into the device, and this continues throughout the visit In total16 indicators – harmonised at a national level – are assessed, focusing on the animals and their living conditions.
These include pain levels in dairy calves during disbudding (removing the horn-producing tissues around the horn bud), and calf and cattle mortality rates. Thierry starts by answering a few questions to give François an understanding of how the animals are treated on his farm.
Next is a visit for the actual on-site assessment, in the building – « built in 1997 so that all the animals could live under one roof », Thierry points out.
The central corridor is checked for cleanliness, lighting and even interior ventilation. « look for any evidence of damp on the walls, for example, which is a sign of poor ventilation », explains François. The technical consultant first measures the total surface area of the building, to ensure compliance with various standards relating to dimensions. The space allowance for each cow is 3m2, and corridors must be at least 3m wide; here the corridors are 4.5m wide.
Finally, the assessment is completed by observing the cattle. « The assessment is carried out on a random sample of cattle, often the morning, after milking, » explains François.The software determines the number of cows that should undergo observation ». The consultant makes note of any signs of lameness or injury and studies the animals’ behaviour and animal-human relationship. To do this, he approaches within approximately 60cm of the cattle to look for any signs of retreat, which could indicate a potential fear of humans. For Thierry, the results are virtually flawless: of the 30 cows observed, only one moved backwards when François passed by. The quantity, size and cleanliness of drinking troughs are additional criteria observed, given that « good hydration is extremely important to promote good health and animal productivity, ». Thierry points out.
These include pain levels in dairy calves during disbudding (removing the horn-producing tissues around the horn bud), and calf and cattle mortality rates. Thierry starts by answering a few questions to give François an understanding of how the animals are treated on his farm.
Next is a visit for the actual on-site assessment, in the building – « built in 1997 so that all the animals could live under one roof », Thierry points out.
The central corridor is checked for cleanliness, lighting and even interior ventilation. « look for any evidence of damp on the walls, for example, which is a sign of poor ventilation », explains François. The technical consultant first measures the total surface area of the building, to ensure compliance with various standards relating to dimensions. The space allowance for each cow is 3m2, and corridors must be at least 3m wide; here the corridors are 4.5m wide.
Finally, the assessment is completed by observing the cattle. « The assessment is carried out on a random sample of cattle, often the morning, after milking, » explains François.The software determines the number of cows that should undergo observation ». The consultant makes note of any signs of lameness or injury and studies the animals’ behaviour and animal-human relationship. To do this, he approaches within approximately 60cm of the cattle to look for any signs of retreat, which could indicate a potential fear of humans. For Thierry, the results are virtually flawless: of the 30 cows observed, only one moved backwards when François passed by. The quantity, size and cleanliness of drinking troughs are additional criteria observed, given that « good hydration is extremely important to promote good health and animal productivity, ». Thierry points out.
A progress initiative
Once all the criteria have been assessed, an ‘animal welfare’ score for the herd is calculated, based on data uploaded directly into the system by the consultant. The score, ranging from 1 to 100, is presented in a scale of four colours, ranging from red ‘unclassified’ to green ‘excellent’ and where yellow denotes ‘requires improvement’ and blue ‘superior’.
Thierry’s dairy farm is rated ‘superior’, a good outcome, with room for improvements on certain points, such as cow mortality rates. For the farmer, this is a familiar problem: the concrete in the cowshed was too smooth, causing accidental slippages, and Thierry has since decided to scarify the floor to reduce the risk of falls.
« The Boviwell assessment tool is devised to improve farming practices, », explains Nadine Ballot, Head of Livestock and the Environment at the Cniel. « There are no sanctions. The objective is to point out the positives in the producer’s practices and to co-construct an improvement plan together.»
Thierry’s dairy farm is rated ‘superior’, a good outcome, with room for improvements on certain points, such as cow mortality rates. For the farmer, this is a familiar problem: the concrete in the cowshed was too smooth, causing accidental slippages, and Thierry has since decided to scarify the floor to reduce the risk of falls.
« The Boviwell assessment tool is devised to improve farming practices, », explains Nadine Ballot, Head of Livestock and the Environment at the Cniel. « There are no sanctions. The objective is to point out the positives in the producer’s practices and to co-construct an improvement plan together.»
Positive preliminary conclusions
Initial assessments carried out since 2020 have provided a solid base for drawing preliminary conclusions. In December of 2022, 73% of assessed farms were ranked ‘excellent’ or ‘superior’, 24% ‘require improvement’ and 4% were ‘unclassified’. Among the main areas identified for improvement were health, and mastitis in particular (for which the Cniel and its partners launched an action plan in 2015 to target improved control in this area), and drinking troughs, for which a collective action plan is currently under review.
« Producers to date whose dairy herds have been assessed have provided positive feedback to the initiative,», says Nadine Ballot. « It has been effective in identifying problems that do not always come to light , and solutions which can ultimately be beneficial for the technological and economic efficiency of their farms».
Outcomes for each farm are fed into a national data base, from which collective progress initiatives can be implemented, starting with the farmers.
The assessment phase has now come to a close. François has scheduled a follow-up meeting with Thierry, to assess improvement over time, and to work towards the continued improvement of farming practices conducive to the well-being of his livestock.
« Producers to date whose dairy herds have been assessed have provided positive feedback to the initiative,», says Nadine Ballot. « It has been effective in identifying problems that do not always come to light , and solutions which can ultimately be beneficial for the technological and economic efficiency of their farms».
Outcomes for each farm are fed into a national data base, from which collective progress initiatives can be implemented, starting with the farmers.
The assessment phase has now come to a close. François has scheduled a follow-up meeting with Thierry, to assess improvement over time, and to work towards the continued improvement of farming practices conducive to the well-being of his livestock.
«FARMERS CHOOSE THIS PROFESSION OUT OF PASSION AND ARE OBVIOUSLY GENUINELY CONCERNED ABOUT ANIMAL WELFARE» undefined 02/08/2024
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