Welfare assessment in intensive and semi-intensive dairy cattle management system in Siciy

The present study aimed to compare the welfare of dairy cows kept in two traditional husbandry systems (semi-intensive and intensive farming) in south-eastern Sicily. A total of 18 dairy farms (nine semi-intensive and nine intensive) were evaluated with a multi-criteria system adapted for Sicilian conditions and obtained simplifying the model of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Values of welfare measures, collected by inspections of the farms [General well-being indicators, Ventilation system, Resting areas (cubicles or bedding), Flooring, Milking parlours and waiting area, Manger and watering equipment], and those of health categories (cases of Abortions, Hypocalcaemia, Displacement of Abomasum, Acidosis/Ketosis, Enteritis, Hoof Problems, and Mastitis) obtained through the farm records, were compared using Mann-Whitney and Chi-squared tests respectively. Data showed significant differences (P ≤ 0.05) about the variables related to welfare categories such as housing ventilation system, resting area, manger, and water equipment that were better in the semi-intensive system than the intensive system. No significant differences were observed about the variables related to health indicators. The results demonstrated that in Sicily the semi-intensive farm is better than the intensive to satisfy the conditions of animal welfare.