Dr Jim Reynolds presented this information on February 8th 2012 for DAIReXNET. He discussed the various options available for animal welfare certification on dairy farms, as well as what certification is and how to decide if it's right for you or your clients.

1. Current Options in Farm Animal Welfare Audits and Evaluations Jim Reynolds DVM, MPVM

14. http://www.americanhumane.org/animals/programs/farm-animal-welfare.html

17. http://nationaldairyfarm.com/index.html

19. Well-Being Principles & Guidelines National Dairy Animal Well-Being Initiative Continuous Improvement Cycle Conduct internal assessment to measure program effectiveness Apply Principles & Guidelines to on-farm well-being programs Third-party program verification Facilitate producer awareness and implement education programs Implement on-farm well-being programs

23. http://nyschap.vet.cornell.edu/

24. http://nyschap.vet.cornell.edu/module/welfare/welfare.asp

26. http://www.validusservices.com/verifying-certifying/on-farm-animal-welfare-audits/

28. Comparison of Animal Observations Between Programs Dr. Sandy Goff; AABP Animal Welfare Pre-seminar 2011 Program Observations AHA  Random sample/select 20 cows for every 100 lactating and dry cows on-site Validus  Observations focus on risk groups  Reports individual problem pens  Highest number of animal observations  Parlor turns must be evaluated FARM  Observations in every pen  Reports herd averages NYSCHAP  Evaluates SOPs & training records prior to certification visit  Close involvement with herd vet; must be present at certification  Each animal management group scored (milking/dry cows & young stock)

29. Comparison of Critical Control Points of Animal Observations Between Programs Dr. Sandy Goff; AABP Animal Welfare Pre-seminar 2011 CCP AHA Validus FARM NYSCHAP Lameness 95% score 1 or 2 <5% score > 3 90% score < 2 < 15% score >3 < 1% score 5 (or 1 animal) BCS 98% score >2 & <4.5 <3% score <2 <10% score > 4 90% score >2 & <4.5 < 5% score <2 90% score >1 Leg lesions 80% score 0 or 1 <2% score 3 90% score 1 99% score < 2 Recorded, no CCP Hygiene 90% score 1 or 2 <10% score >2 90% score <3 Minimize score >3*

30. http://www.animalauditor.org / PAACO certifies Welfare Audits and Auditor Training. PAACO also trains Auditors for Meat Plant Welfare Auditing.

34. QUESTIONS?