Animal Welfare Initiative for better animal husbandry – vorarlberg.ORF.at

Many consumers are becoming more and more important when it comes to buying food. More and more questions arise about the origin of products and the conditions in which animals are kept. Accordingly, Vorarlberg Milch launched the Animal Welfare Initiative which enables farmers to receive a reward for animal welfare – if certain criteria are strictly adhered to.

Access to the outdoors and grazing days is essential

This includes, among other things, that linking up in raising cows and cattle is taboo. Funding is provided for clean playpens where the animals can go out at any time. “Cows can move freely 24 hours a day,” describes dairy farmer Leo Aman of Schlins. In addition, at least 120 grazing days per year should be observed.

The animal welfare allowance helps farmers financially

With the introduction of the Animal Welfare Bonus, farmers who meet the criteria receive two cents more per liter of milk. At Leo Amann, with 65 dairy cows, the amount comes to about 1,000 euros per month. “The two years are really good for us. This amounts to a large amount per year,” Aman confirms.

Orientation to the future of agriculture

For Vorarlberg Milch, which is run as a cooperative, it is especially important to provide guidance to farmers – especially in trying and turbulent times like this, assures General Manager Raimund Wachter. The goal is to show farmers where things are heading in the future. The trend is clear: Kindergartens are futuristic solutions.

Animal welfare is here to stay

The cooperative is satisfied with the start of the project. To date, every third member has already been certified to reward animal welfare. Wachter explains that if you look at the total amount of milk, about half of the amount delivered now comes from the animal care farm.

In today’s world, it is becoming increasingly important to make sure that animals are doing well. This is the only way to keep customers. “There are now many studies and surveys on this topic,” Wachter explains. He explains that “the issue of animal welfare remains.” Now is the time to find the right answers.