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2. Consumer attitudes towards production diseases in intensive production systems
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Clark, Beth (author), Panzone, Luca A. (author), Stewart, Gavin B. (author), Kyriazakis, Ilias (author), Niemi, Jarkko K. (author), Latvala, Terhi (author), Tranter, Richard (author), Jones, Philip (author), and Frewer, Lynn J. (author)
- Format:
- Online journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2019-01-10
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 7 Document Number: D10240
- Journal Title:
- PLoS ONE
- Journal Title Details:
- 14(1)
- Notes:
- Many members of the public and important stakeholders operating at the upper end of the food chain, may be unfamiliar with how food is produced, including within modern animal production systems. The intensification of production is becoming increasingly common in modern farming. However, intensive systems are particularly susceptible to production diseases, with potentially negative consequences for farm animal welfare (FAW). Previous research has demonstrated that the public are concerned about FAW, yet there has been little research into attitudes towards production diseases, and their approval of interventions to reduce these. This research explores the public’s attitudes towards, and preferences for, FAW interventions in five European countries (Finland, Germany, Poland, Spain and the UK). An online survey was conducted for broilers (n = 789), layers (n = 790) and pigs (n = 751). Data were analysed by means of Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA, exploratory factor analysis and structural equation modelling. The results suggest that the public have concerns regarding intensive production systems, in relation to FAW, naturalness and the use of antibiotics. The most preferred interventions were the most “proactive” interventions, namely improved housing and hygiene measures. The least preferred interventions were medicine-based, which raised humane animal care and food safety concerns amongst respondents. The results highlighted the influence of the identified concerns, perceived risks and benefits on attitudes and subsequent behavioural intention, and the importance of supply chain stakeholders addressing these concerns in the subsequent communications with the public.
3. Consumers’ and Farmers’ Perceptions in Europe Regarding the Use of Composted Bedding Material from Cattle
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Klopčič, Marija (author), Erjavec, Karmen (author), Waldrop, Megan (author), Roosen, Jutta (author), Engel, Petra (author), Galama, Paul (author), and Kuipers, Abele (author)
- Format:
- Journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2021-04-29
- Published:
- Switzerland: MDPI
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 204 Document Number: D12508
- Journal Title:
- Sustainability
- Journal Title Details:
- 13 (9)
- Notes:
- 10 pages, By-products like sawdust and straw are applied in compost bedded-pack barns (CBP) for cattle. These materials, which are gradually mixed with excreta and undergo a composting process, serve as a lying bed for the cattle. This study aims to assess the perception of consumers and farmers regarding the use of CBP during the grazing season of cattle for raising other animals or for growing food crops. This was examined by combining surveys with consumers from eight European countries and cattle farmers, focus groups with consumers, and in-depth interviews with individual farmers who implemented alternative uses of compost. The results showed that farmers preferred the compost bedded-pack system to the cubicle system in terms of sustainability and market aspects, although the cost of the bedding material required for CBP was seen as a significant negative aspect. Around half of all consumers indicated that the compost can be used for non-edible products and 26% indicated the compost can be used for raising other animals. Furthermore, 5% of consumers felt that compost should not be used for any other purpose. There were statistically significant differences between countries; therefore, regional specificities should be taken into account when marketing products from compost in CBP barns.
4. Current Consumer Perceptions of Animal Welfare across Different Farming Sectors on the Island of Ireland
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Sweeney, Sharon (author), Regan, Aine (author), McKernan, Claire (author), Benson, Tony (author), Hanion, Alison (author), and Dean, Moira (author)
- Format:
- Journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2022-01-10
- Published:
- United States: MDPI
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 205 Document Number: D12569
- Journal Title:
- Animals
- Journal Title Details:
- 12(2)
- Notes:
- 20 pages, There has been increased public interest and concerns in issues such as farm animal welfare (FAW) on the island of Ireland, stoked in part by political and governance changes, such as Brexit and COVID-19. Front-of-pack food labelling represents a primary information channel for many people. In advance of considering formalised food labelling schemes, specifically relating to FAW, it is important to ensure an up-to-date understanding of current consumer perceptions of FAW. With this aim, the current study utilised a mixed methodology. Nine focus group discussions (n = 41) and an online survey (n = 972) with food consumers in Ireland and Northern Ireland explored perceptions of FAW. Results suggest that overall perceptions of FAW are high, and consumers perceive FAW to have improved in the last decade. Quantitative (ANOVA) and qualitative results show variations in perception of FAW between sectors. Results from the focus group discussions identified factors underlying consumers’ perception of FAW: the living conditions of the animal, size and intensity of the farm, national standards and schemes, and visibility. Information insufficiencies and knowledge gaps were identified. The findings are discussed in relation to policy implications for the role of public engagement, front-of-pack welfare labelling, and quality assurance schemes.
5. Fellow cows and conflicting farmers: Public perceptions of dairy farming uncovered through frame analysis
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Jackson, Amy (author), Green, Martin J. (author), and Kaler, Jasmeet (author)
- Format:
- Journal Article`
- Publication Date:
- 2022-11-17
- Published:
- Switzerland: Frontiers Media S.A.
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 205 Document Number: D12743
- Journal Title:
- Frontiers in Veterinary Science
- Journal Title Details:
- V. 9
- Notes:
- 9pgs, Divergence in opinion over how farm animals should be cared for is creating a disconnect between livestock farming and the public that risks a loss of “social license” to farm. One proposed solution for the dairy farming community is to engage more constructively with the public to develop a shared vision of the industry's future; however, farmers and veterinarians remain reluctant to validate public opinions on farm animal care, in particular, often viewing them as naïve or impractical. Understanding the interpretive frames through which people make sense of dairy farming could help the dairy farming community engage more constructively with public opinion, thereby reducing conflict and providing opportunities to change communication or practice. Hence, frame analysis was conducted on transcripts of 60 face-to-face interviews with members of the UK public, first defining frames using reflexive thematic analysis, then considering the effect of these frames on those holding them. The results showed that dairy farming was mainly characterized by two entities: the cow and the farmer. Three frames were developed for the cow: she was perceived as i) enduring, which induced a sense of moral responsibility for her well-being among participants; ii) a fellow or companion, which led to feelings of a shared or parallel life with her; and iii) a force of nature, where the cow's connection with the natural world and “otherness” was appreciated, or even longed for. These connections were unexpectedly widespread within the sample, with many participants simultaneously holding two or even three frames. The farmer was seen through two frames: i) traditional; or ii) modernizing, but both frames had positive and negative narratives depending on the perceived care of the cow, causing confusion or even conflict about the care the farmer actually delivered. These findings provide new insights into the interpretive lenses through which the public makes sense of the dairy cow and her care, not least the bond the public themselves feel with the animal. They offer fresh opportunities for the dairy industry to improve engagement through more reflexive communication or modification of farming practices to better fit societal expectations about dairy cow welfare.
6. Most Americans accept genetic engineering of animals that benefits human health, but many oppose other uses
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Format:
- Research report
- Publication Date:
- 2019-08-18
- Published:
- USA
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 8 Document Number: D10307
- Notes:
- 13 pages., Online via Pew Research Center, Washington, D. C.
7. Public images of dairy farms among urban dwellers in Bogota, Colombia
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Wellbrock, Wiebke (author), Burkart, Stefan (author), Encisco Valencia, Karen (author), and Knierim, Andrea (author)
- Format:
- Journal article
- Publication Date:
- 2019
- Published:
- Colombia
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 121 Document Number: D11089
- Journal Title:
- International Journal on Food System Dynamics
- Journal Title Details:
- 10(5) : 473-485
- Notes:
- Available online at www.centmapress.org, Findings of a word association task revealed that most participants associated cows, rural areas, and traditional production systems with the cue dairy farms. While purchasing their products, they paid the most attention to attributes such as health and hygiene, indicating that they pay the most attention to product quality and not production quality. Yet more than half indicated that modern production systems contradict their norms and values. Authors concluded that the current modernization efforts in Colombia do not fit to the specific culture of the country.
8. Public outreach initiative attracts national media coverage
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Contributers:
- Pike, Ben (author)
- Format:
- Research summary
- Publication Date:
- 2019-12
- Published:
- United Kingdom: International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ), Ormstown, Quebec, Canada
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 121 Document Number: D11116
- Journal Title:
- IFAJ E-News
- Journal Title Details:
- 4
- Notes:
- 2 pages., Summary of results from a survey among British citizens inviting attitudes toward food and farming. First such research effort by the British Guild of Agricultural Journalists.
9. Sustainability shifts: three consumer trends brewing
- Collection:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center (ACDC)
- Format:
- News release
- Publication Date:
- 2020
- Published:
- International: Center for Food Integrity, Gladstone, Missouri.
- Location:
- Agricultural Communications Documentation Center, Funk Library, University of Illinois Box: 166 Document Number: D11681
- Notes:
- 3 pages., News release via online., News release covering a meeting panelist's remarks during a webinar about shifting sustainability priorities related to the food system.