The International Dairy Federation (IDF) has released the 13th edition of its "IDF Animal Health Report," presenting animal welfare research from nine different countries and showcasing Sweden’s significant experience in this area of research with numerous inspiring case studies.

IDF said the new edition of the report is dedicated to dairy welfare and includes information on welfare assessments, dealing with emergency situations, reproduction, lameness, mastitis, new technologies and examples of prolonged cow and calf contact.

For a dairy farmer to produce milk of good quality, the welfare needs of dairy animals must be met, with these needs considered from the perspective of the animal, the announcement said. An animal’s basic needs are linked to addressing the essentials for life in the first instance. Beyond this, the achievement of good welfare centers around the availability of improved living conditions, IDF said.

The focus areas of animal welfare differ between countries according to history, tradition and culture. Thus, the sharing of knowledge, documentation and systematic approaches on the improvement of animal welfare across borders remains important, IDF explained.

IDF director general Caroline Emond said, “Milk and dairy products are one of the most nutrient-rich foods for diets worldwide, and healthy and well-cared for animals produce safe and quality milk. This report produced by IDF is an important reference tool showcasing how the sector promotes the implementation of good animal welfare practices in dairy production at a global scale, as outlined in our 2019 'IDF Guide on Animal Welfare.'”

IDF said the issue is completed with information from the third World Organization for Animal Health annual data collection on antimicrobial agents intended for use in animals, a global livestock initiative that includes responses from 155 countries, and is free to download from the IDF website.

Source: International Dairy Federation, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.