Ohio On the Look Out for Livestock Welfare
OHIO, US - From a recent HBO documentary that chronicled a 2006 alleged animal abuse case at an Ohio pig farm to the current rumored movement by the Humane Society of the United States to target animal rights in Ohio, animal welfare is still a hot issue that stirs the emotions no matter what side of the fence one stands on.
9 April 2009
2 minute read
On the agriculture front, Ohio State University Extension continues to be proactive in educating the farming sector on how to get the most out of animal productivity in a nurturing environment. Animal welfare is the concept of minimizing emotional or physical suffering of animals in whatever capacity they are serving their purpose in society.
Naomi Botheras, an Ohio State University Extension animal welfare specialist, said that producers might not realize that how they verbally and physically handle their livestock could have a profound impact on animal behavior, as well as performance.
"Animals are incredibly sensitive to our behavior. Everything from physical force, such as slapping, to more mild behavior such as yelling or quick movement around animals, can be aversive," said Botheras. "The idea behind the animal welfare education is to turn people's negative behaviors -- kicking, hitting, shouting -- into positive behaviors -- walking slowly, talking calmly, and being more physically gentle."
For the past several years, Ohio State's Department of Animal Sciences in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences has worked to boost animal welfare awareness in Ohio. The efforts have been in collaboration with Australia’s Animal Welfare Science Centre, a joint organization with Australia’s University of Melbourne, Monash University and the Victorian State Department of Primary Industries. The Centre is internationally recognized as a leading research and educational facility of animal welfare topics.
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