Table of Contents
Introduction
The Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Animal Care program helps American dairy farms demonstrate their dedication to providing high quality animal care. Version 5 of the program started on July 1, 2024.
Minor updates to FARM 5.0
- Adequate, quality colostrum must be fed to calves in a timely manner.
- Pain management must be provided (req met within 9 mo) when disbudding calves. Approved methods include cautery (hot iron) or caustic paste.
- Continued education maintains importance and must be met within 9 months of evaluation for all employees and family members.
- Euthanasia protocols should identify trained individuals and a method for death confirmation.
Authors
Jennifer Van Os
Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in Animal Welfare – Jennifer Van Os is an Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in Animal Welfare on the faculty of the Department of Animal & Dairy Sciences at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA. The research in her lab at UW-Madison focuses on understanding, evaluating, and improving the welfare of dairy animals from a biological perspective.
Faith Reyes
Dairy Outreach Specialist – Faith Reyes was a Dairy Outreach Specialist in the Division of Extension at the University of Wisconsin – Madison (2023-2024). Her work aimed to understand dairy farmers’ needs to provide directed, beneficial education programs. She served as a bridge between the novel research taking place at the university level and the dairy industry by communicating research outcomes and applicable on-farm solutions.
Photos courtesy of Sky Sheng and Michelle Bachand
Crowd gates done right: Best practices for cow comfort and welfare
The importance of water for dairy calves
Handling down cows
Are my dairy cattle fit for transport?
