Meet Visiting Scientist Dr. Jana Denissen
Dr. Jana Denissen is a scientist visiting the Animal Welfare Program (AWP) for four months from her home in western Germany where she works at the North-Rhine-Westphalian Chamber of Agriculture. Completing her BSc in Agricultural Science and MSc in Animal Science at Bonn University, Germany, she completed her PhD at Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University Bonn. Under the […]
Meet visiting international student Zimbabwe Osorio Santos
Over the years, the UBC Animal Welfare Program has hosted many visiting international students. This collaboration with researchers and students from across the globe fosters an environment of knowledge sharing which further promotes the wellbeing of animals across the world. We would like to introduce you to one of our current visiting students, Zimbabwe! My […]
Using Realistic Evaluation to understand how interventions work on dairy farms
A new study by AWP researchers used Realistic Evaluation to understand how an intervention to help farmers modify and use standard operating procedures (SOP) for colostrum management worked in different contexts. Farmer reasoning about the purpose and utility of the SOP, plus how they used SOP resources, impacted intervention success. To facilitate change, interventions should […]
Dr. von Keyserlingk to discuss animal care practices in the upcoming Hoard’s Dairyman webinar
Hoard’s Dairyman‘s next monthly webinar will be Monday, June 14 at noon (Central time). Nina von Keyserlingk from the University of British Columbia will present “Reimagining the future of dairy – Maintaining our social license by improving animal welfare.” Many common practices on dairy farms are subject to criticism by consumers and other stakeholders. During […]
Public attitudes toward dairy farm practices and technology related to milk production
One modern approach to addressing animal welfare-related challenges in agricultural systems is through technological solutions (e.g. genetic modification, plant-based milk). New research by AWP researchers, published today in PLoS ONE (https://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0250850), evaluated public attitudes toward current approaches and technological alternatives to common welfare issues on dairy farms. While previous studies assess attitudes toward individual issues, […]
Using facial expression to assess human empathy toward farm animals undergoing painful procedures
New research by UBC researchers Lexis Ly and Dan Weary, today published in PloS One, shows that human facial expressions can be used to assess human-animal empathy. Facial expressions have been used previously to evaluate human-human empathy, but this study provides the first evidence that facial expressions provide a valid method to assess human empathy […]
Dr. Nina von Keyserlingk elected as a new Director on the National Farmed Animal Health and Welfare (NFAHW) Council Board
Congratulations to Dr. Nina von Keyserlingk for being elected as a new Director on the National Farmed AnimalHealth and Welfare (NFAHW) Council Board! The NFAHW Council provides advice on topics of importance to animal agriculture to the FPT Regulatory ADMs ofAgriculture Committee and all other stakeholders. NFAHW Council is a national organization that brings togetherindustry, […]
Pessimistic individuals more vulnerable to depressive-like states after hot-iron disbudding
Disbudding dairy calves is a common but painful procedure to prevent horn growth. Even when controlling for the immediate, intra-operative pain, post-operative pain can last for days after the procedure. Anhedonia, the reduced ability to experience pleasure, is associated with low mood in humans. In the current study, UBC researchers report the first evidence of […]
Increase pasture use: Steps to success
Use of pasture can provide many benefits for dairy farmers across the globe. See this article featuring research conducted by UBC’s Animal Welfare Program Alumna Dr. Anne-Marieke Smid: https://www.dairyglobal.net/Nutrition/Articles/2020/8/Increase-pasture-use-Steps-to-success-628733E/
Individual variability in response to social stress in dairy heifers
Congratulations to Emeline Nogues for publishing her first paper with the Animal Welfare Program, together with PhD candidate Benjamin Lecorps, in Animals! The paper, ‘Individual variability in response to social stress in dairy heifers’, examined whether it is better to engage or avoid social interactions when mixed with older cows. Mixing unfamiliar animals (or regrouping) […]