Redefining indoor and outdoor spaces and proposing practices that promote dairy cow exercise

Stéphane Godbout

Researcher

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Contact Stéphane Godbout

Description

For the coming decade, the Dairy Farmers of Canada ProAction Initiative mandates that indoor and outdoor spaces must be provided to promote exercise for cows and calves. However, according to Québec legislation, exercise yards are subject to the same regulations that govern waste management. We developed this project with these requirements in mind. The project’s overall objective is to make available an indoor and outdoor exercise yard design that improves dairy cow and calf well-being while complying with Québec regulations.

Objective(s)

Determine the best practices for the proper management of animal exercise in a dairy farm setting
Develop an indoor and outdoor exercise yard design that minimizes environmental emissions (gases and liquids) and complies with new animal welfare requirements

From 2018 to 2022

Project duration

Livestock production

Activity areas

Animal welfare

Service

Numerous studies show that well-treated cows produce more and better quality milk.

Partners

Centre de recherche en sciences animales de Deschambault | McGill University | Université Laval | University of British Columbia | Valacta

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