Skip To Content
head butting behavior in dairy cattle FIDA Welfare and Behavior is a Course

FIDA Welfare and Behavior

Ended Dec 31, 2022

Sorry! The enrollment period is currently closed. Please check back soon.

Full course description

With increasing societal concern for animal care, the sustainability of animal agriculture depends on refining livestock systems to address animal welfare concerns. This course explores the latest science and considerations surrounding the assessment and improvement of dairy cattle welfare. Course content will include an overview of the scientific literature describing key factors challenging the welfare of dairy cattle, including aspects of housing, feeding, and pain management, with a focus on the role of animal behavior in understanding animal welfare. Discussion will also encompass societal perspectives on dairy cattle welfare, as well as practical solutions to improve animal welfare using science-based approaches. Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: 1) Describe key welfare challenges for dairy cattle in terms of their impact on animal performance, behavioral expression, and subjective experience; and 2) Identify solutions and management recommendations to improve dairy cattle welfare through application of basic understanding of dairy cattle behavior.  

Instructor: Dr. Emily Miller-Cushon

For more information about our program and other course offerings, visit our website at https://animal.ifas.ufl.edu/fida/.
Please contact us through the following email if you have any questions or concerns: FIDA@ifas.ufl.edu.