Description
Grazing systems are important components of the landscape in almost all European countries. Grazing is inherently close to the nature of herbivores, but no longer applied everywhere in Europe. This paper discusses the extent of dairy cow grazing in Europe and the effect of grazing on animal welfare. The study builds on results of surveys from the European Grassland Federation (EGF) Working Group “Grazing” (WGG) in the period 2010–2022 and a focus group meeting in 2022. Data on the extent of grazing of dairy cows in Europe are provided. Europe can be divided into six distinctive regions with respect to the extent of grazing. The extent of grazing is country specific and there is less grazing in the East and the South than in the North and the West of Europe. In general, the popularity of grazing in Europe is declining, but there are a few exceptions. The main positive effects of grazing on animal welfare and animal health identified are that grazing provides much more scope for natural behaviour, may reduce the risk of udder health problems and may benefit claw health. The main negative effects are that in the field cows are exposed to weather conditions, especially sun, and fluctuations in diet composition. The WGG members concluded that grazing has, in general, a positive effect on animal welfare and animal health. A changing climate and associated changing weather conditions are seen as the biggest challenges for grazing in the next decade.
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Grazing and Animal Welfare of Dairy Cows in Europe, What do We Know?
Grazing systems are important components of the landscape in almost all European countries. Grazing is inherently close to the nature of herbivores, but no longer applied everywhere in Europe. This paper discusses the extent of dairy cow grazing in Europe and the effect of grazing on animal welfare. The study builds on results of surveys from the European Grassland Federation (EGF) Working Group “Grazing” (WGG) in the period 2010–2022 and a focus group meeting in 2022. Data on the extent of grazing of dairy cows in Europe are provided. Europe can be divided into six distinctive regions with respect to the extent of grazing. The extent of grazing is country specific and there is less grazing in the East and the South than in the North and the West of Europe. In general, the popularity of grazing in Europe is declining, but there are a few exceptions. The main positive effects of grazing on animal welfare and animal health identified are that grazing provides much more scope for natural behaviour, may reduce the risk of udder health problems and may benefit claw health. The main negative effects are that in the field cows are exposed to weather conditions, especially sun, and fluctuations in diet composition. The WGG members concluded that grazing has, in general, a positive effect on animal welfare and animal health. A changing climate and associated changing weather conditions are seen as the biggest challenges for grazing in the next decade.
