Ruminant farming and animal welfare
This document explains how animal welfare is ensured in ruminant farming. Above all, farmers are the best experts on their animals. Ensuring their well-being and health is central to their profession and a necessity for them. It is also a fundamental factor for achieving good production. Their training, experience, and expertise enable them to interpret the animals’ needs and guarantee their welfare throughout their lives. The quality of life for both animals and farmers is considered within the framework of the “One Welfare” concept, which highlights the interdependence between animal welfare, human well-being, and the quality of the environment in which they live.
Moreover, animal health is an integral part of their welfare. Farmers implement preventive measures to preserve the health and thus the welfare of their herds.
In ruminant farming, animal welfare is maintained at every level, whether through feeding and watering practices designed to best meet animals’ needs or through the design and management of buildings that encourage the expression of species-specific behaviors.
Finally, farmers and industry stakeholders strive to minimize stress and promote positive emotions in animals by adopting appropriate farming practices and developing good relationships with their animals.