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Animal welfare education and Animal welfare education and Animal welfare education and Animal welfare education and

trainingtrainingtrainingtraining

In the American settingIn the American settingIn the American settingIn the American settingMonique D. Pairis-Garcia1

Anna K. Johnson2

Jessica D. Colpoys2

Department of Animal Science,

1The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH

2Iowa State University, Ames, IA

Who do we educate?Who do we educate?Who do we educate?Who do we educate?

StudentsProducers

Consumers

cfaes.osu.edu

Ourohio.org

Cleveland.com

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How do we educate?How do we educate?How do we educate?How do we educate?

Classroom Outreach programs On-farm resources

Extension.osu./edutransitlab.osu./edu

Pork.org

University welfare educationUniversity welfare educationUniversity welfare educationUniversity welfare education

Swine

research

program

Welfare

research

program

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Welfare coursesWelfare coursesWelfare coursesWelfare courses

University Class Instructor

Iowa State

University

• Livestock handling, safety and welfare- UG

• Domestic animal behavior and well-being- UG

• Topics in animal behavior, welfare -G

Anna Johnson

Michigan State

University

• Animal welfare assessment-G

• Applied animal behavior-UG

Janice Siegford

Ohio State

University

• Animal welfare and behavior in livestock- UG Monique Pairis-Garcia

Purdue University • Animal Behavior-UG

• Animal Welfare-UG

Candace Croney

Texas Tech

University

• Domestic animal behavior- UG John McGlone

Challenges at the University levelChallenges at the University levelChallenges at the University levelChallenges at the University level

Vast majority of Americans are at least three generations removed from the farm

• 1.6% of population engaged in agricultural production

• 81% of participants under 34 years

• 85% of participants under 25 years

Never lived or

worked on a

farm

Dotson, 2007

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Student demographicsStudent demographicsStudent demographicsStudent demographics

University of Wisconsin University of Wisconsin University of Wisconsin University of Wisconsin Bobeck, Combs and Cook, 2014

• Dramatic shift in the student population over the last 10 years

• 22% strictly farm students

• 33% strictly urban students

• 45% Did not grow up on a farm but have some animal experience

Student demographicsStudent demographicsStudent demographicsStudent demographics

University of Wisconsin University of Wisconsin University of Wisconsin University of Wisconsin Bobeck, Combs and Cook, 2014

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Welfare specific questions asked:

Q3. Most farmers treat their farm animals humanely

Q5. Many modern livestock production practices are cruel and unnecessary

Question Offer an

opinion

Likely to

offer

opinion

Rural vs.

Urban

Q3 88% No

difference

Rural

Q5 86% Animal

Science

Rural

• 14-16% of students were unable or unwilling to offer opinions or questions related to critical agricultural issues

• Freshman highest among this group

• Students from urban backgrounds were less likely to offer opinions

• Opinions from students with urban background differed from those with rural backgrounds

Instructors should encourage students to express and defend position on agriculture issues in course activities

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Outreach programsOutreach programsOutreach programsOutreach programs

• Ohio State University provides practical advice, scientifically based information, and realistic down-to-earth solutions to better lives, businesses and communities throughout Ohio

• Presentations and talks

• Current programs:

• Assuring Quality Care for Animals

• Care of the Compromised Pig

Where have

producers

asked for help?

Euthanasia

decisions

Pain

managementGroup housing

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Care of the Compromised PigCare of the Compromised PigCare of the Compromised PigCare of the Compromised Pig• Originally developed by Iowa Swine Welfare School

• Suzanne Millman, Anna Johnson, Larry Sadler

• Adapted to meet the needs of Ohio Pork Producers

• First workshop held February, 2nd, 2015

• Funded by Ohio Pork Council and Ohio State

ISWSISWSISWSISWS

OnOnOnOn----farm resourcesfarm resourcesfarm resourcesfarm resources

Assessment and audits

• Pork Quality Assurance plus (PQA Plus) ™

• Trucker Quality Assurance (TQA)™

• Common Swine industry audit- PAACO™

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Consumer’s worldConsumer’s worldConsumer’s worldConsumer’s world

Educating the consumer on animal welfareEducating the consumer on animal welfareEducating the consumer on animal welfareEducating the consumer on animal welfare

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Challenges aheadChallenges aheadChallenges aheadChallenges ahead

• Major disconnect between how producers raise pigs and how consumers think they want pigs to be raised

• Changes are taking place in the agricultural industry based on expectations from consumers uneducated in animal agriculture

• Producers are disconnected on what consumers consider acceptable and unacceptable agricultural practices

GoalsGoalsGoalsGoals

�Develop opportunities for students to develop and defend opinions related to farm animal welfare

�Educate consumers on current production practices and needs of producers

�Educate producers on consumer expectations and demands

�Develop an open dialogue between producers and consumers develop alternative production practices to improve welfare while maintaining farm profitability

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Thank you for your attentionThank you for your attentionThank you for your attentionThank you for your attention

Questions?