Investigations on dairy welfare and performance on German organic farms

An investigation was carried out on 74 organic dairy farms in Germany. Results were an average milk production of 5.960 kg, 223.000 somatic cell counts (SCC), 387 days calving interval, 23.5 % culling rate, 46 Euro annual veterinary costs per cow. Farmers were asked for disease incidences. Cows were scored for injuries and body condition. The results were combined with possible influencing factors (herd size, breed, region, farming association, housing system, housing factors, amounts of concentrates). The most frequent health problems were udder, fertility, and claw disorders. These subjective estimations of disease incidences by the farmers could be validated with herd recording data (SCC, calving interval, culling reasons). Overall rate of injuries was low. Body condition scoring revealed only few problems. Holstein-Friesians showed the highest milk production, but also more health problems and a higher culling rate. The straw yard systems seem to have advantages with regard to lameness, fertility, and injuries, but a higher risk for mastitis. Introduction/Problem Animal health and welfare are of growing importance in organic dairy production (e.g. Hörning 1998, Lund & Algers 2003, Nicholas et al. 2004, Vaarst et al. 2004). Winckler et al. (2003) proposed different indicators to be used for on-farm welfare assessments in cattle. No information about the current state of dairy health and welfare on organic farms in Germany is available. Some data were collected ten years ago (Krutzinna et al. 1996). The aim of the project was therefore to provide up-to-date information.