Exploring the role of animal welfare in cow performance and farm profitability in Italian dairy herds

Good welfare supports dairy herd health, enhances milk production and quality, and offers financial incentives for farmers committed to animal welfare. In Italy, the ClassyFarm system assesses dairy herd welfare through the evaluation of farm biosecurity, management, structures, and animal-based measures. Dairy farms with loose housing systems (LHS) and tied housing systems (THS) are evaluated using distinct ClassyFarm checklists, and an algorithm generates an overall welfare score ranging from 0 % (poor welfare) to 100 % (excellent welfare). Analysing 434 farms of Holstein and Simmental cows in north-eastern Italy, we explored whether housing systems (LHS and THS) and breed composition (single- vs. multi-breed herds) influence welfare scores as assessed by ClassyFarm. Additionally, we investigated whether milk quality and production differ in cows exposed to different welfare levels, considering 4 subsets: Holstein in LHS, Holstein in THS, Simmental in LHS, and Simmental in THS. Holstein single-breed herds achieved higher management (82.10 ± 1.78 %) and biosecurity scores (58.50 ± 2.44 %). Simmental single-breed herds scored highest in animal-based measures (87.90 ± 1.61 %), while multi-breed herds generally obtained lower scores than single-breed farms. Herds with higher management and biosecurity scores were associated with greater milk yield, milk quality, and economic returns, indicating that farmers who prioritize high welfare standards for their dairy herds may improve overall farm profitability. Our findings confirm the direct importance of investing resources in dairy cows’ welfare.