TIMELY ON-FARM EUTHANASIA OF CATTLE: EXPLORING CARETAKER DECISION-MAKING AND TRAINING METHODS

Objective 1:Identify quantitative and qualitative decision criteria for on-farm euthanasia of dairy cattle. Timely euthanasia on dairy farms can reduce the incidence of poor welfare outcomes for compromised cattle when recovery is prolonged or impossible. Timely euthanasia relies on caretakers' abilities to identify compromised cattle and managers to perform euthanasia quickly and appropriately. The aim of this objective is to determine the most common reasons and appropriate timelines for on-farm euthanasia of dairy cattle.Objective 2: Identify pre-dispositional factors that influence the euthanasia decision-making process on dairy cattle operations. The second objective of this study is to identify cultural, emotional and educational barriers that prevent timely euthanasia in dairy cattle.Objective 3: Develop an interactive multimedia based training program on timely euthanasia in dairy calves, heifers and mature cows. To address the need for comprehensive and specific training on dairy cattle euthanasia, an interactive computer-based training program will be developed. This program will aim to educate caretakers that work with dairy cattle on timely and humane euthanasia utilizing an objective training tool.