Grahame J. Coleman & Paul H. Hemsworth
Abstract
Livestock, such as cattle, sheep, pigs and goats, are domesticated animals kept in an agricultural setting, and used or traded as a source of income. Despite the domestication of livestock dating back over 10, 000 years and the societal importance of human-livestock interactions, research into this relationship remains limited compared to others such as human-pet interactions. Therefore, this chapter provides an overview of the current knowledge about the complex and multifaceted relationships between stockpeople and their animals, and how they influence each other. This chapter first explores the attitude and behaviour of stockpeople towards their animals, and their impacts on animal welfare and productivity. This is followed by the examination of the costs and benefits of these interactions on humans, including mental health, societal and economic aspects of human-livestock interactions. Finally, the chapter provides insights into future research directions needed to better understand these relationships, as well as potential opportunities to improve human-livestock interactions.
Reading recommendations
Fisher, M. (2019). Animal welfare science, husbandry and ethics: the evolving story of our relationship with farm animals. 5m Books Ltd.
Fraser, D. G. (2005). Animal welfare and the intensification of animal production: an alternative interpretation (Vol. 2). Food & Agriculture Org..
Grandin, T., & Cockram, M. (Eds.). (2020). The slaughter of farmed animals: Practical ways of enhancing animal welfare. CABI.
Hansen, B. G., & Østerås, O. (2019). Farmer welfare and animal welfare-Exploring the relationship between farmer’s occupational well-being and stress, farm expansion and animal welfare. Preventive veterinary medicine, 170, 104741.
Hemsworth, P. H., & Coleman, G. J. (2010). Human-livestock interactions: The stockperson and the productivity of intensively farmed animals. CABI.
Webster, J., & Margerison, J. (Eds.). (2022). Management and welfare of farm animals: the UFAW farm handbook. John Wiley & Sons.
Web resources and Presentation recommendations
Mental Health and Wellbeing in Agriculture in Scotland: link here
Responder and Farmer Wellbeing Before, During and After an Animal Health Emergency: link here
Activity
Based on chapter 10 and further reading, complete the following model of Stockperson-livestock interactions adapted from Hemsworth and Coleman, 2011
Mooving Cows (TM) video game, where you can practice mooving cows around a US dairy farm! This game was designed by faculty at the University of Wisconsin-Madison with help from people who work on or with real dairy farms in Wisconsin. Link to their website here