Divergent Perceptions of Dairy Farmers on the Role of Grazing in Animal Welfare and Production

Abstract

The modernization of dairy production, characterized by a transition to freestall barns with automatic milking systems and increasing herd sizes, has resulted in a decline in cattle grazing. The once-traditional practice of summer grazing in Northern Europe has become a contentious topic, with the industry and public holding divergent views regarding the importance of grazing in animal welfare and the broader sustainability of the sector. Our study is based on 15 in-depth interviews of Finnish dairy producers with tie-stall and freestall housing, without and with grazing of varied duration. We employ the theory of planned behavior to investigate factors that contribute to the decision-making concerning grazing practices. The discourse surrounding grazing encompasses a range of perspectives, including but not limited to animal welfare, human–animal interactions, environmental integration, and the relationships between producers, consumers, dairy companies, and government entities. The results indicate divergent views between producers who regard grazing as a foundational practice and those who consider it redundant. Farmers emphasized those aspects of animal welfare that were best realized in their system, highlighting or downplaying the relevance of grazing accordingly, thus potentially reinforcing a commitment to the system they practice. The adjustment of the perceived importance of grazing according to the chosen system may provide a feedback loop from behavior to attitudes, which warrants further attention in the theory of planned behavior. Our results could inform decision-makers and industry actors about support required for retaining grazing practices in dairy production.