| Autor: |
Sadiq MB; Department of Farm and Exotic Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400 UPM, Malaysia., Song-Lin S; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400 UPM, Malaysia., Ramanoon SZ; Department of Farm and Exotic Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400 UPM, Malaysia.; Centre of Excellence (Ruminant), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400 UPM, Malaysia., Syed-Hussain SS; Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400 UPM, Malaysia., Shaik Mossadeq WM; Department of Veterinary Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang Selangor, 43400 UPM, Malaysia., Salisi MS; Department of Veterinary Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang Selangor, 43400 UPM, Malaysia., Mansor R; Department of Farm and Exotic Animal Medicine and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400 UPM, Malaysia.; Centre of Excellence (Ruminant), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang 43400 UPM, Malaysia. |
| Abstrakt: |
This study aimed to assess the knowledge and opinions about DCW among dairy cattle farmers in Keningau, Sabah. A questionnaire was developed, validated, and administered by hand to 30 farmers. The data collected include farmers' and farm demographics, and opinions regarding the criteria and indicators of DCW. Only 17 respondents (57%) had heard of "dairy cattle welfare" before this study. Nine farmers (30.0%) had poor knowledge about DCW criteria, whereas 13 (43.7%) and 8 (26.7%) farmers had satisfactory and good knowledge, respectively. Farmers with higher education, larger herd size, high production level, and exotic cattle breeds showed a better understanding. Farmers understood most of the indicators; however, opinions regarding cattle behavior during milking, their physical appearance and their lying down behaviour need to be improved. Nevertheless, 28 respondents ranked their animals' welfare as either good or satisfactory, which further reflects a poor implementation of DCW measures. The main factors suggested by farmers to influence DCW in their herds were facilities, worker issues, management practices, and animal well-being. In conclusion, guidance from veterinarians and animal welfare specialists may be needed to improve the farmers' understanding and practices of DCW. |
