Evaluation of organic, conventional and intensive beef farm systems: health, management and animal production

Blanco-Penedo, I.; López-Alonso, M.; Shore, R.F.; Miranda, M.; Castillo, C.; Hernández, J.; Benedito, J.L.. 2012 Evaluation of organic, conventional and intensive beef farm systems: health, management and animal production. Animal, 6 (9). 1503-1511. 10.1017/S1751731112000298

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Abstract/Summary

The overall aim of the present study was to analyse and compare organic beef cattle farming in Spain with intensive and conventional systems. An on-farm study comparing farm management practices and animal health was carried out. The study also focussed on a slaughterhouse analysis by comparing impacts on the safety and quality of the cattle products. Twenty-four organic and 26 conventional farms were inspected, and farmers responded to a questionnaire that covered all basic data on their husbandry practices, farm management, veterinary treatments and reproductive performance during 2007. Furthermore, data on the hygiene and quality of 244, 2596 and 3021 carcasses of calves from organic, intensive and conventional farms, respectively, were retrieved from the official yearbook (2007) of a slaughterhouse. Differences found between organic and conventional farms across the farm analysis did not substantially reflect differences between both farm types in the predominant diseases that usually occur on beef cattle farms. However, calves reared organically presented fewer condemnations at slaughter compared with intensive and to a lesser extent with conventionally reared calves. Carcass performance also reflected differences between farm type and breed and was not necessarily better in organic farms.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	10.1017/S1751731112000298
Programmes:	CEH Topics & Objectives 2009 - 2012 > Biogeochemistry > BGC Topic 3 - Managing Threats to Environment and Health > BGC - 3.2 - Provide the evidence base for setting Environment Quality Standards ... CEH Topics & Objectives 2009 - 2012 > Biogeochemistry > BGC Topic 3 - Managing Threats to Environment and Health
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Shore
ISSN:	1751-7311
Additional Keywords:	farming systems, organic cattle, general health, organic products
NORA Subject Terms:	Health Agriculture and Soil Science
Date made live:	08 Nov 2012 11:50 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/20063

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