Connecting farmer well-being with cattle health and perceptions of wildlife on dairy and beef farms in Western Canada and Ontario

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dc.contributor.authorZwick, Breanna
dc.contributor.examiningcommitteeOminski, Kim (Animal Science)
dc.contributor.examiningcommitteePajor, Ed (Animal Science)
dc.contributor.examiningcommitteeCampbell, Michael (Environment and Geography)
dc.contributor.supervisorKing, Meagan
dc.date.accessioned2024-09-15T18:11:39Z
dc.date.available2024-09-15T18:11:39Z
dc.date.issued2024-08-26
dc.date.submitted2024-08-26T21:39:43Zen_US
dc.date.submitted2024-09-15T18:06:37Zen_US
dc.degree.disciplineAnimal Science
dc.degree.levelMaster of Science (M.Sc.)
dc.description.abstractThis study surveyed 88 dairy and 17 beef farmers in Western Canada and Ontario to assess farmer well-being, and how it is connected to cattle health and perceptions of wildlife. Well-being was assessed using validated psychometric scales for mental health, sleep and injuries for physical health, and questions about social well-being. The survey additionally assessed farm management, animal health (including mastitis, and calf mortality), and perceptions and management of wildlife. Dairy farm visits (n=66) were conducted to assess lameness, body condition, and knee, neck, and hock lesions on a representative sample of each herd’s lactating cows (30% to a maximum of 69 cows). Dairy farmer responses were analyzed statistically, and beef farmer data are presented using descriptive statistics due to a low response rate. For dairy farmers, clinical lameness tended to be negatively associated with stress scores (P=0.07) and anxiety scores (P=0.06), and mastitis incidence was positively associated with stress scores (P=0.02). Beef farmers reported stress related to weather, pasture condition, and finances, but were generally satisfied with their personal relationships at home. Associations between beef farmers’ well-being and cattle health could not be drawn in this study. Overall, there was a connection between farmer well-being and animal health on dairy farms, but more research is needed to determine the factors that influence these associations. Regarding wildlife perceptions, both dairy and beef farmers viewed mice and rats, raccoons, and corvids negatively. Beef farmers additionally had negative perceptions of small mammals and large predatory mammals. Dairy farmers with negative perceptions of mice tended to have higher depression scores (P=0.0002), as well as lower resilience scores (P=0.07), even when considering region. The majority of dairy and beef farmers reported using wildlife control for mice, raccoons, and corvids and reported choosing these methods based on effectiveness, ease of use, and cost.
dc.description.noteOctober 2024
dc.description.sponsorshipDairy Farmers of Ontario, Dairy Farmers of Mantioba, Alberta Milk, Sask Milk, BC Dairy, Mental Health Research Canada, University of Manitoba University Collaborative Research Program
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1993/38600
dc.language.isoeng
dc.rightsopen accessen_US
dc.subjectFarmer Well-being
dc.subjectRural Mental Health
dc.subjectCattle Health
dc.subjectOne Welfare
dc.subjectOne Health
dc.subjectPerceptions of Wildlife
dc.subjectWildlife Control
dc.titleConnecting farmer well-being with cattle health and perceptions of wildlife on dairy and beef farms in Western Canada and Ontario
dc.typemaster thesisen_US
local.subject.manitobayes
project.funder.identifierhttp://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100004489
project.funder.nameMitacs
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