Animal science and veterinary student perception of farm animal welfare practices

Abstract

This study was part of a larger study conducted by Texas AgriLife Extension Service surveying livestock producers, livestock market employees, and students studying animal agriculture to determine their perceptions of animal agriculture's animal welfare practices as well as their understanding of Beef Quality Assurance (BQA). This paper focuses on students engaged in the study of production animal agriculture. To identify students' overall perception of animal welfare in production agriculture, five constructs were developed. The five constructs of animal welfare used in this study were: (1) production agriculture; (2) production methods; (3) attitudes toward animals in general; (4) attitudes toward animals in production agriculture; and (5) production practices. In addition, students were surveyed to assess their basic knowledge of BQA practices. Overall, results indicated that students felt production agriculture was doing a good job as it relates to animal welfare, with favorable attitudes toward current animal agriculture production practices. Student responses to the BQA-related questions indicated a lack of knowledge of BQA principles.