Evaluating the adoption level of quality-oriented management practices by cattle producers and motivation for participation in beef quality assurance (BQA) programs.
详细信息
- 作者：Perry ; Miranda V.
- 学历：M.S.
- 年：2013
- 导师：Ahola, Jason K.,eadvisorPeel, Richard K.ecommittee memberWhittier, Jack C.ecommittee memberHadrich, Joleen C.ecommittee memberVanOverbeke, Deborah L.ecommittee member
- 毕业院校：Colorado State University
- Department：Animal Sciences
- ISBN：9781303154362
- CBH：1539684
- Country：USA
- 语种：English
- FileSize：3103421
- Pages：179
文摘
Three studies were conducted to investigate the animal welfare concern of non-ambulatory NA) animals in the California beef and dairy industries, implementation of BQA best management practices, BQA participation, and producer perceptions on "quality", and factors that influence a producer to participate in BQA and BQA-type programs. The first study was a survey conducted to evaluate how California beef and dairy operations sell market cows and bulls and to identify key contributors to animals becoming disabled or NA. Surveys were mailed to 9,778 California beef and dairy producers and identical surveys were available via the internet and as printed surveys distributed at 2 cattle producer meetings. The survey instrument included 29 questions to evaluate producer characteristics, incidence of NA cattle on-farm or on-ranch, management and marketing practices utilized for market cows and bulls, and likely reasons animals become NA. Completed surveys were received from 446 producers n ＝ 403 beef, n ＝ 43 dairy). The mean age ±； SD) for survey respondents was 62 ±； 12.3 yr for beef producers and 55 ±； 13.1 yr for dairy producers. Survey responses clearly indicated that most beef 77.5%) and dairy producers 62.5%) marketed their animals at a livestock auction market, which was more P ＜ 0.05) than any other option. Rates of culling, euthanasia, and death loss among cows were 10.8, 1.2, and 1.3%, respectively for beef respondents, and 33.1, 2.1, and 3.3%, respectively for dairy respondents. Interestingly, 35.6% of beef and 95.2% of dairy respondents indicated they had at least 1 non-ambulatory cow in the previous 12 mo. The majority P ＜ 0.05) of beef and dairy survey respondents indicated they would consider on-farm euthanasia 92.1 and 88.1%, respectively). Dystocia was reported to be the primary cause P ＜ 0.05) of NA status in cows among beef 46.5%) and dairy 79.1%) respondents. Results of this survey indicate that producers regularly had NA cattle on their operations, but they also had the opportunity to implement on-farm and on-ranch management practices to prevent NA cattle from occurring and/or entering the marketplace. Further, livestock auction markets can provide the best opportunity for disseminating information to producers about NA cattle. The second study was a national survey that examined producer knowledge and implementation of Beef Quality Assurance BQA)-related practices in the beef cattle industry as a part of the 2011 National Beef Quality Audit NBQA). The survey instrument consisted of 43 questions that examined producer characteristics, views on beef quality, use of BQA-related practices, and knowledge of or participation in the BQA program. Surveys were collected from April 2011 to February 2012. The survey was available online and as a hard copy to obtain responses at industry meetings. A total of 3,755 producers responded to the survey. Means and frequency distribution were determined on a total respondent basis overall), within industry sectors, and within some demographical categories. Respondents were from 45 different states with the majority of respondents characterizing themselves as commercial cow/calf operators 74.8%). When asked "in what ways do you intentionally influence quality as a beef producer", on an overall basis, the most common responses were: through "preventative health care i.e. vaccination program)" and "use of good stockmanship and animal handling skills." Ultimately, those respondents who had been to a BQA-type meeting were more likely P ＜ 0.05) to follow the best management practices outlined in BQA principles. Only 3.6% of respondents indicated that they "do not intentionally influence beef quality.". After completion of the initial NBQA survey in 2011, a number of key issues regarding production practices were identified. Binary and multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to examine factors influencing producer behavior. Explanatory variables included: age, gender, years in the industry, and whether they agreed or disagreed with statements in regards to his/her views of his/her operation, farm characteristics, and the respondents personal opinion of their operation. Overall, it appears that producers have access to BQA and BQA-type programs and have the opportunity to use the technology and resources available to them to implement best management practices and avoid animal welfare issues on their operations. Abstract shortened by UMI.).