This post was written by Kylie Diaz, West Texas A&M University, and was selected as a winning submission in the 2024 College Aggies Online program.
It’s no secret that consumer demand for ethically produced food has skyrocketed in the past decade. The proof is in the myriad of food labels you see at the grocery store. Claims like “certified humane”, “cage-free”, “free range” and “raised antibiotic free” are just a few of the terms used by companies to make you feel more comfortable about purchasing their product. Of course, who wouldn’t like to imagine all farm animals frolicking on green meadows? As the ultimate animal lovers, farmers would too!
Animal Welfare: More Than Morality
Here’s the kicker: animal welfare is not just a moral issue, it’s an economic and environmental one too! Research shows high standards of animal welfare contribute to happier, healthier animals; and those healthy animals produce higher quality products and less emissions. All these things lead to a more efficient, profitable operation. David Green, Executive Director of the U.S. Sustainability Alliance pointed out in a 2022 article: “From a farmer’s perspective, animal welfare, sustainability, and profitability go hand in hand. Better health for animals leads to environmental benefits: for example, by reducing cow mastitis, we can decrease their greenhouse gas emissions (along with their discomfort and pain). So, as far as consumer concerns go, actual farm practices do in fact not only meet them, but often go further.”
The Science Behind Stress
A healthy dairy cow also means more milk in the tank! Stress caused by sickness or poor living conditions can cause high cortisol levels. High cortisol levels are shown to have a negative effect on overall animal health, which translates directly to meat and milk quality. Scientists like Temple Grandin have researched in depth the effects of stress on meat quality as a result of improper handling. One study by Apple et al. (1995) showed that six hours of restraint and isolation related to shearing caused dark-cutting meat and very high cortisol levels in sheep. An article written by Trevor Devries, Associate Professor at the University of Guelph, testified a similar occurrence in dairy cattle. He found that dairy cattle subject to stressors such as overcrowding, heat stress, and frequent regrouping tended to have a significantly reduced dry matter intake, which is critical for milk quality and reproductive success. Animals that experience illness from stress result in higher vet bills, as well as the additional operational costs of isolating, monitoring, medicating, and managing biosecurity protocols. Animals with proper space, access to nutrition and water, ventilation, limited handling, and veterinary care are found to be less stressed with stronger immune systems. In the case of animal welfare, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Farmers’ Commitment to Animal Welfare
Not only does it just make SENSE to keep animals happy, but farmers who prioritize animal welfare often see stronger community support, better reputations, and greater long-term success in their industry. But they don’t stop at good enough. Farmers go above and beyond for their animals by voluntarily opting for welfare certifications that support animal ag like the Beef Quality Assurance (BQA), Pork Quality Assurance Plus (PQA+), FARM Animal Care Program, PAACO, and UEP Certified. These certifications have very high participation rates from the farming community (in most cases 85% or more). These certifications credit them for the gold standard of care they give their animals year-round. In some cases, consumers see that credit in the form of a label on their product packaging, but buyer beware: some of these labels are misleading. For example, the “Certified Humane” label insists on farmers adhering to practices that aren’t always in the best interest of animal health.
Need a sound bite? Here it is: Animal welfare isn’t just better for animals—it’s better for business. American farmers deeply care about their animals because they are both their livelihood and legacy. You can be sure that no matter the specific circumstances of which an animal was raised, ALL methods that result in a quality product on the shelf are done with integrity, transparency, and a commitment to feeding your family.
All posts are the opinion of the author and do not necessarily represent the view of the Animal Ag Alliance
The post The Science of Happy Animals: How Ethical Farming Drives Profitability appeared first on Animal Agriculture Alliance.
