Welfare Science

Farm Animal Welfare Indicators Economic Analysis

Economic analysis of animal welfare indicators demonstrates the business case for welfare improvement in farm production systems.

Key Facts

Welfare improvements often reduce disease treatment costs and improve feed conversion efficiency
Lameness in dairy cows reduces milk production by up to 35% per affected cow
Tail biting outbreaks in pigs cause significant losses through treatment, mortality, and downgraded carcasses
Economic analysis tools help farmers understand return on welfare investment

Welfare Considerations

Demonstrating the economic benefits of welfare improvement changes the conversation from cost to investment. Where welfare improvements align with economic benefits, adoption is faster and more sustained. Economic analysis also reveals where regulatory standards are needed because welfare improvement has costs without sufficient market reward.

What You Can Do

Support development of on-farm economic welfare analysis tools
Advocate for welfare improvement in farm business development programmes
Learn about the financial case for welfare improvement in livestock farming