What We’ve Learned: Key Insights from Global Dairy Welfare Meetings

In our latest article, Julia Nicoletta reflects on insights from global dairy welfare discussions, bringing together perspectives from farmers, researchers, processors, and QA leaders.

Rather than offering simplified answers, this piece explores the tensions, realities, and shared responsibilities shaping progress today.

🐄 Moving from awareness to action is still a challenge. We know what works, but adoption on farms is complex, uneven, and shaped by real-world constraints.

⚖️ Progress is happening under pressure. QA programs and industry leaders are navigating rising expectations, limited capacity, and competing priorities.

🤝 Collaboration is essential. Sustainable progress depends on strong alignment across the supply chain, not just change at the farm level.

💭 Mindset matters as much as economics. Leadership, trust, and culture play a critical role—especially when returns are unclear or delayed.

It’s not just about how we motivate farmers. It’s about how the system as a whole supports them.

If you’re working in dairy, animal welfare, or quality assurance, this piece offers a grounded look at the realities behind the expectations, and the role we each play moving forward. We hope you'll give it a read!

What Are We Reading This Month?

A nationwide survey on producer and veterinarian perceptions of the painfulness of procedures and disease states in dairy and beef cattle

In a nutshell: Managing pain in cattle is a key welfare issue, but how painful different procedures are perceived to be can vary widely. This study found that both producers and veterinarians generally recognize that common procedures and conditions cause pain, though perceptions differ by role and gender — with veterinarians and women more likely to rate them as more painful. Importantly, the more painful a procedure was perceived to be, the more likely respondents were to use pain mitigation. This highlights that pain management isn’t just about available tools, but also about how people understand and interpret animal pain. Better awareness and communication around pain could help increase the use of pain control across the industry.

Real-World Resources

Podcast
The Rise of the RVT Wellness Provider

Episode 6 of the College of Veterinarians of Ontario’s Elevating the Veterinary Team is out now! in this episode, ACER’s Steve Roche talks with Dr. Amanda McDonald, Dr. Jackie Day, and RVT Heather Fledderus about the integration of RVTs into wellness exams and workflows in veterinary practices.

Listen to the episode below! 👇