Assessing, and understanding, European organic dairy farmers’ intentions to improve herd health

Jones, P. J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3464-5424, Sok, J., Tranter, R. B. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0702-6505, Blanco-Penedo, I., Fall, N., Fourichon, C., Hogeveen, H., Krieger, M. C. and Sundrum, A. (2016) Assessing, and understanding, European organic dairy farmers’ intentions to improve herd health. Preventive Veterinary Medicine, 133. pp. 84-96. ISSN 0167-5877 doi: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2016.08.005

Abstract/Summary

Many believe the health status of organic dairy herds in Europe should be improved to meet consumers’and legislators’ expectations to improve animal welfare. This paper reports on a study in four coun-tries that examined dairy farmers’ intentions towards improving the health status of their organic herdsthrough the use of the Theory of Planned Behaviour. It was found that farmers across the countries werepositive about taking additional preventative measures to improve the health status of their herds. Theybelieved this would not only improve herd physical performance, such as milk yield and fertility, but alsoachieve greater cost effectiveness and improved job satisfaction for them.Most study farmers would implement a tailored package of improvement measures designed by thestudy team with higher uptake most likely being by younger farmers, those who make greater use ofveterinarians and professional advisory services, and those supplying specialist milk-marketing chains.Furthermore, farmers will be most likely to take-up additional health promotion if compatible with theireveryday activities and if they have strong business performance goals aimed at maximising the physicalperformance of the herd.