Scottish Agricultural College (SAC) is involving 4000 UK farms in research to improve knowledge of how on-farm management of pregnant animals influences the health, welfare and productivity of their offspring in later life.
SAC is asking randomly selected beef, dairy, sheep and pig farmers to complete a questionnaire on the feeding, husbandry and health care of their pregnant livestock.
Previous studies by SAC and others have already identified some management practices that may have implications not only for the welfare of these animals, but also their offspring. This past research, however, has been carried out in controlled, experimental conditions, so little is known about how commonly such practices occur on commercial farms. The survey hopes to fill this gap in knowledge and help inform the development of evidence-based advice for the farming industry.
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