From Naturalness to Environmental Control: Influences of Transitioning Production Systems on Dairy Farmers’ Perceptions of Cow Welfare

We conducted semi structured in-person interviews with 36 dairy farmers in a dairy producing region in southern Brazil undergoing intensification. Thematic analysis revealed that farmers’ perceptions of cow welfare were closely tied to their production environment. Farmers in pasture-based systems emphasized the importance of outdoor access and grazing, associating these with the cows’ intrinsic needs and longevity. Conversely, farmers operating confined systems, or those with positive attitudes towards transitioning to confinement, linked cow welfare to practices that aim at minimizing environmental stressors, enhancing comfort, and boosting productivity. Despite these differing views, empathetic concerns towards the cows were evident in both groups and influenced decisions such as improving farm infrastructure or using anesthetics in invasive procedures. However, the transition to confined systems was associated with a more instrumental view of animals, as seen in the abandonment of naming cows and in a greater focus on productive performance. All things considered, this study suggests that working structures may influence farmers’ perceptions of animal care, indicating that farm animal welfare likely depends not only on farmers’ attitudes but also on global and local policies that shape agricultural practices through incentives and constraints.