Non-Invasive Methods of Assessing Stress in Cattle

Priya; Vivek Sahu; Priyanka; Mandeep  Singla

doi:10.5455/ijlr.20200212011731

Authors

Priya PhD Scholar, Division of Livestock Production and Management, Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, INDIA
Vivek Sahu MVSc Scholar, Division of Livestock Products Technology, Uttar Pradesh Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalaya Evam Go Anusandhan Sansthan, Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, INDIA
Priyanka Assistant Professor, Division of Veterinary Surgery and Radiology, LUVAS, Hisar, Haryana, INDIA
Mandeep Singla Assistant Animal Scientist, Division of Livestock Production Management, College of Veterinary Sciences, Guru Angad Dev University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Punjab, INDIA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5455/ijlr.20200212011731%20%20%20

Keywords:

Animal Welfare, Assessment, Cattle, Non-invasive, Stress

Abstract

Important components of farm animal welfare are the assessment and alleviation of pain and stress during and following routine husbandry procedures used on farms (e.g., disbudding and castration of calves). There is now a higher level of public awareness and concern for animal welfare on-farm, and in recent years consumer demand has placed pressure on agricultural industries to provide ‘welfare friendly’ products that also meet high standards of food quality and safety. The assessment and management of stress in farm animals have been reviewed previously. A major issue for animal welfare research is that currently most of the techniques and methods we use to measure stress or pain are invasive (e.g., blood sampling) and there is a lack of non-invasive, reliable tools. This article provides a concise review of new technologies and tools to evaluate the welfare impact of different husbandry practices in order to improve animal welfare.