1. Animal Welfare Initiatives in the Dairy Industry Alan Davenport

3. National Dairy Industry Animal Welfare Strategy Consultation –ADF AH&W Advisory Group –Dairy Australia Animal Welfare Reference Group Assessment –Extension Programs –On-farm Quality Assurance –Regular Reviews Investigation –Animal Husbandry Survey –Barriers & Drivers for change Change Management –Communication / Education

4. Key findings of the 2008 survey Substantial changes in animal husbandry practices since 2005 linked to the following: –Information on best practices read by 68% of dairy farmers –Increased awareness of the Code of Practice for the welfare of animals (92%) –Desire to improve animal comfort and reduce stress levels –Peer and industry encouragement –Concern over potential impact on international dairy markets.

5. Animal welfare priorities Calf management Tail docking Lameness Induction Disbudding

6. Development of action plans for priorities Areas of consideration when developing action plans for key priorities in animal welfare include –Effective regulation and industry policy –Issues management process –Industry support –Appropriate R & D –Evaluation and review –Communication strategy

7. Calf management Calf trial in Victoria to investigate more efficient mechanisms for traceability of calves from farm to slaughter Communication of industry standards and guidelines across the supply chain

8. Tail docking Dairy industry does not support tail docking and actively promotes alternatives to tail docking 2005 Animal Husbandry Survey – 16% of farmers routinely docked tails (51% in Tasmania) 2008 Animal Husbandry Survey – 10% of farmers routinely docked tails (37% in Tasmania)

9. Lameness 100% of all dairy farms in Tasmania have a lameness strategy in place –Maintaining laneways –Ensuring cows are not pushed to walk too fast or –left standing on concrete for too long –Most herds are fed zinc or some other supplement.

10. Induction Significant reduction in the number of people using induction as a fertility management tool often in Tasmania –Down from 59% in 2005 to 22% in 2008

11. Disbudding Disbudding calves is the preferred management tool by the industry for horn removal Significant increase in the number of farmers that disbud calves rather than dehorn heifers –Increase in Tasmania from 71% in 2005 to 90% in 2008