Farmers transitioning between production systems face specific welfare challenges during the changeover period that require targeted support.
Welfare management during farming transitions is a specific and often overlooked challenge. A farmer moving from a conventional to a higher-welfare system faces the dual challenge of adapting to a new management context while maintaining adequate care for existing animals during the changeover. Training, advisory support, and financial mechanisms that provide a bridge during the transition period help farmers manage this challenge successfully. Systems that have been pilot-tested and where experienced practitioners can provide peer support enable smoother transitions with fewer welfare incidents. Government transition support should therefore include welfare monitoring and advisory elements alongside financial payments.