A new Swedish study by Växa has examined how dairy cows’ welfare changes
month by month during an 18-month housing period. Results showed mixed
outcomes.

The research followed a 2020 decision by the LRF to explore more flexible grazing requirements for cows in loose-housing systems. To support this, Växa conducted a 21- month study from autumn 2022 to spring 2024 involving seven herds with 60–320 cows each, producing 11,800–14,700 kg of milk energy-corrected milk (ECM) annually. Researchers visited each herd monthly, assessing 25 welfare parameters across four principles: feeding, housing, health and behaviour. The aim was to compare welfare during
a normal stall period (before grazing) with an extended one (after cows would usually have been outdoors).
Results showed mixed outcomes. Seven welfare measures deteriorated by 1–7 percentage points, including body cleanliness, lameness, neck injuries, overgrown hooves and swelling. Six measures, such as emotional state, remained unchanged, while three – rumen fill, lying position and rising behaviour – improved.
According to Växa’s Ann Nyman, the findings indicate both potential for good welfare and risk of decline. No herd showed only negative results, but all displayed a mix of improvement, stability and deterioration.
The study also highlights the complexity of animal welfare: no single measure or observation can capture the full picture, as conditions vary across time and herds. Researchers note that the sample was based on convenience, meaning results cannot be generalised to all Swedish herds, though similar trends are likely.

Read the full article in Jordbruks Aktuellt HERE

Photo: Zhao Yangjun, Unsplash

By LWM