Implementation of industry-oriented animal welfare and quality assurance assessment in Kansas cattle feeding operations

Authors

  • Tera R. Barnhardt Department of Clinical Sciences, Kansas State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, 1800 Denison Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66506
  • Daniel U. Thomson Department of Clinical Sciences, Kansas State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, 1800 Denison Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66506
  • Shane P. Terrell Department of Clinical Sciences, Kansas State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, 1800 Denison Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66506
  • Darrell J. Rezac Department of Clinical Sciences, Kansas State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, 1800 Denison Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66506
  • Daniel A. Frese Department of Clinical Sciences, Kansas State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, 1800 Denison Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66506
  • Chris D. Reinhardt Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, 136 Call Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol48no1p81-88

Keywords:

BQA assessment tools, audit, cattle, feedyard, quality assurance, welfare, animal welfare, cattle feeding, quality controls, reviews, animal production

Abstract

Consumer interest in production agriculture has prompted the beef industry to develop tools to increase accountability of producers for animal management practices. The Beef Quality Assurance Feedyard Assessment, developed by veterinarians, animal scientists, and production specialists, was used to objectively evaluate key areas of beef cattle production such as animal handling, antimicrobial residue avoidance, and cattle comfort in 56 Kansas feedyards. During the assessment, management protocols were reviewed, facilities and pens were inspected, and cattle handling practices were observed. Of the 56 feedyards, 19 maintained complete and current documentation of Best Management Practices for all management protocols required by the assessment. During assessment of cattle handling practices, 78.6% of feedyards met requirements for an Acceptable score for all measured criteria. An electric prod was used on only 4.0% of cattle during processing. In addition, 83.0% of feedyards scored Acceptable for all stocking rate, feed bunk, water tank, and mud score standards.

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Published

2013-12-31

How to Cite

Barnhardt, T. R., Thomson, D. U., Terrell, S. P., Rezac, D. J., Frese, D. A., & Reinhardt, C. D. (2013). Implementation of industry-oriented animal welfare and quality assurance assessment in Kansas cattle feeding operations. The Bovine Practitioner, 48(1), 81–88. https://doi.org/10.21423/bovine-vol48no1p81-88

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