Human-Livestock Interactions: The Stockperson and the Productivity of Intensively Farmed Animals

In the twentieth century, great improvements have been made in terms of animal genetics, reproduction, nutrition, health and housing, but the effects of the stockperson-animal relationship on the performance and welfare of livestock is an area which hitherto has been neglected or even ignored by scientists. However, recent research has highlighted this aspect of animal husbandry and has enabled considerable progress to be made in understanding its importance. This book is unique in summarising the behavioural theories and results of research on human-animal interactions, and their implications in agriculture, in a manner accessible to all those with an interest in the topic. They are used to provide a rationale for training and selection programmes for managing these interactions in the animal industries in order to improve productivity and animal welfare. The aim is to stimulate interest amongst researchers and increase awareness amongst industry staff of the possibilities for the simultaneous improvement of performance and animal welfare in a climate of ever-increasing consumer concern. The book is written by leading research workers in this field. It is essential reading for researchers in animal production, applied psychologists, ethologists, veterinary scientists and animal welfare professionals, and farm managers responsible for selecting and training staff. It will also will be a valuable source of material for lecturers and students of animal science, psychology and veterinary science.

Table of Contents:
1: Preface 2: Acknowledgements 3: Introduction: the Stockperson as a Professional – Skills, Knowledge and Status 4: The Ethics of Animal Farming: Implications for the Stockperson 5: Human–Animal Interactions and Animal Productivity and Welfare 6: Attitudes of Stockpeople 7: Stockperson Behaviour and Animal Behaviour 8: A Model of Stockperson–Animal Interactions and their Implications for Animals 9: Changing Stockperson Attitudes and Behaviour 10: Conclusion: Current and Future Opportunities to Improve Human–Animal Interactions 11: References 12: Index

About the Author :
Grahame J. Coleman is at Monash University, Australia.

Review :
"This book provides scientific proof that good stockmanship and kind treatment will improve productivity of intensively raised pigs, dairy cows, and poultry. . . . [T]he authors review the results of many studies that indicate low productivity in animals that are fearful of their caretakers. . . . Surveys conducted on large dairies and pig farms in Australia indicated that people who enjoyed working with animals had more productive cows and pigs. . . . The key part the stockperson plays is highlighted . . . The authors call for improvement in the training of stockpersons, and ask that stockpersons 'be treated as professionals' and 'receive due recognition for the central role they play in animal productivity and welfare.' Veterinarians could use this book as documentation to counter the trend of understaffing operations on large farms. It is impossible for a stockperson to do a good job if he or she is overloaded with work."--Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association