Aiming to Improve Dairy Cattle Welfare by Using Precision Technology to Track Lameness, Mastitis, Somatic Cell Count and Body Condition Score

Abstract

Specific animal-based indicators that may be used to predict animal welfare have been at the basis of techniques for monitoring farm animal welfare, such as those developed by the Welfare Quality project. In addition, the use of technical instruments to accurately and immediately measure farm animal welfare is obvious. Precision livestock farming (PLF) has enhanced production, economic viability, and animal welfare in dairy farms by using technology instruments. Despite the fact that PLF was only recently adopted, the need for technical assistance on farms is getting more and more attention and has resulted in substantial scientific contributions in a wide range of fields within the dairy sector, with a focus on the health and welfare of cows. Among the most important animal-based indicators of dairy cow welfare are lameness, mastitis, somatic cell count and body condition, and this chapter aims to highlight the most recent advances in PLF in this area. Finally, a discussion is presented on the possibility of integrating the information obtained by PLF into a welfare assessment framework.