Grazing affects animal health: an examination of survey data collected by accredited veterinarians during visits to dairy farms
2019
Sulpice, P | Manteaux, J.P. | Michaud, Audrey, A. | Fauriat, A. | Ollivier, Arthur | Otz, Pauline | Longfellow, Henri | Fédération des Eleveurs et Vétérinaires En Convention ; Fédération des Eleveurs et Vétérinaires En Convention | Chambre d’Agriculture de la Drôme (CA 26) | Unité Mixte de Recherche sur les Herbivores - UMR 1213 (UMRH) ; Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (INRA)-VetAgro Sup - Institut national d'enseignement supérieur et de recherche en alimentation, santé animale, sciences agronomiques et de l'environnement (VAS) | SELARL DELACROIX | ZA La Gravoux, | SELARL DE VETERINAIRES | Vet'haut Pilat
International audience
Show more [+] Less [-]English. We developed a grazing index that objectively defines livestock operations based on the proportion of grass in the annual diet of the dairy cow herds. Data were collected from 102 cattle farms, and the results show that, in general, levels of grazing were higher in less intensive farming systems. Simultaneously, higher levels of grazing were associated with a decrease in the number of veterinary visits (notably to treat digestive and metabolic issues), the overall consumption of medications (notably those involved in curative treatments), and the frequency of severe hoof-related lameness. Animal lifespan and perinatal mortality were, respectively, positively and negatively correlated with higher levels of grazing. Some of the limits to interpreting these data are discussed.
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