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A training programme to ensure high repeatability of injury scoring of dairy cows

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 January 2023

J Gibbons ,
E Vasseur ,
J Rushen  and
AM de Passillé
J Gibbons*
Affiliation:
Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, PO Box 1000, 6947 Highway 7, Agassiz, BC, Canada, V0M 1A0
E Vasseur
Affiliation:
Organic Dairy Research Centre, Universitie de Guelph, Campus d’Alfred, 31 St Paul Street, PO Box 580, Alfred, Ontario, Canada K0B 1A0
J Rushen
Affiliation:
Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, PO Box 1000, 6947 Highway 7, Agassiz, BC, Canada, V0M 1A0
AM de Passillé
Affiliation:
Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, PO Box 1000, 6947 Highway 7, Agassiz, BC, Canada, V0M 1A0
*
* Contact for correspondence and requests for reprints: [email protected]
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Abstract

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Obtaining reliable welfare outcome measures from commercial farms can be challenging. We developed a training programme to train observers to score injuries of the tarsal joint, carpal joint and neck on dairy cows as part of an on-farm study. Twelve trainees were trained using protocols and photographs in a classroom session and on-farm visits. Continued repeatability checking was carried out during a refresher and mid-way assessment. Two trainers were used as the reference standard to which all trainees were compared. The study demonstrated that methods of scoring tarsal joint, carpal joint and neck injury can be learned by trainees from different backgrounds and high repeatability can be achieved and maintained at a very large regional or national level. Successful learning of injury scoring is dependent on protocols with strong definitions and photographs as well as repetitive training sessions. Additionally, continued repeatability checks are essential to ensure the reference standard continues to be met. This training programme can be used as a model to successfully train on-farm assessors.

Keywords

animal welfaredairy cattleinjuryinter-observer reliabilitytrainingwelfare assessment
Type
Research Article
Information
Animal Welfare , Volume 21 , Issue 3: Selected papers from the 5th International Workshop on the Assessment of Animal Welfare at Farm and Group Level , August 2012 , pp. 379 - 388
Copyright
© 2012 Universities Federation for Animal Welfare

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