The knowledge, attitudes and skills of the people who care for farm animals daily are the most critical determinants of animal welfare outcomes on commercial farms.
Stockperson quality is the single most important determinant of on-farm animal welfare. Regulations, infrastructure and technology all operate through the people who actually care for animals daily — their knowledge of species needs, their ability to recognise welfare problems, their motivation to act on what they observe, and their attitude toward the animals in their care. Research has repeatedly demonstrated that stockpeople who believe animals can feel pain and treat them as individuals produce better welfare outcomes than those with more instrumental attitudes. Training that combines practical skills with attitudinal development — building genuine respect for animal experience — produces lasting improvements. The challenge is reaching the many farms without access to structured training and addressing the burnout that poor working conditions produce.