Welfare performance of medium-sized dairy farms in Burdur Province, Türkiye: a cross-sectional assessment

Abstract

Context Animal welfare assessment on dairy farms increasingly combines resource-, management- and animal-based indicators to provide a comprehensive evaluation of farm conditions. However, information on the welfare performance of medium-sized dairy farms in Türkiye remains limited, particularly under regional production conditions. Aims This study aimed to assess the welfare performance of medium-sized dairy farms in Burdur Province, Türkiye, using management-, resource- and animal-based indicators; to identify the principal areas requiring improvement; and to explore associations among selected farm characteristics and welfare indicators. Methods This cross-sectional observational study included 91 voluntarily participating dairy farms with herd sizes ranging from 25 to 50 cattle in Burdur province, Türkiye. Data were collected during on-site farm visits using direct observations and structured questionnaires. Welfare assessment was evaluated using management-based indicators covering hygiene, health management, human factors and behavioural practices, together with animal-based indicators, including activity, cleanliness, faecal consistency and body condition score. A study-specific semi-quantitative management-based welfare score was calculated to summarise farm-level management performance. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, and associations between selected variables were examined using Spearman’s rank correlation analysis. Key results The mean management-based welfare score indicated generally low welfare performance across the surveyed farms. In the lowest domain, scores were recorded for human factors, hygiene and health management. Staff welfare training, quarantine and isolation practices, routine hoof care, and behavioural monitoring were uncommon. Animal-based indicators varied among farms, particularly in cleanliness and activity scores, whereas body condition and faecal consistency scores were generally within acceptable ranges. Conclusion This cross-sectional assessment provides a regional description of welfare performance in medium-sized dairy farms in Burdur Province, Türkiye. The findings identify staff training, hygiene, biosecurity, preventive health management, routine hoof care and behavioural monitoring as priority areas for farm-level improvement. The combined use of management-, resource- and animal-based indicators may support a more comprehensive assessment of dairy cattle welfare under regional production conditions. Implications The findings identify staff training, hygiene, biosecurity, preventive health management, routine hoof care and behavioural monitoring as practical priorities for regional farm-level welfare programs. Combining management-, resource- and animal-based indicators may support more comprehensive on-farm welfare assessment.

The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Animal Production Science, 2026 · DOI ↗