Views on year-round indoor farming sought

Dairy farmers are being asked to share their views on the move towards year-round housing of cattle.

Researchers at the James Hutton Institute (JHI) are seeking to gather information on farmers’ attitudes towards pasture-based and indoor systems.

It comes on the back of public concern about the environmental and welfare implications of a move away from grass-based farming systems to ones where the cattle are housed all year round.

The project – Cows eat grass, don’t they?

– is being carried out by Orla Shortall, a researcher at the JHI’s social, economic and geographical sciences division.

As part of the study, Ms Shortall is encouraging dairy farmers to complete a survey of their views on the future of the industry.

“It’s an important time for dairy farming in the UK,” said Ms Shortall.

“The sector has moved away from one type of system based on seasonal grazing and housing. There’s a feeling that the industry and the public are out of step about the realities of dairy farming and this survey aims to collect rigorous data on farmers’ views on the future of their industry to help provide more clarity on this subject.”

The survey, which is open to any commercial dairy farmers in the UK and Ireland, takes around 10-15 minutes to complete and includes questions on production systems and opinions on the sector.

It can be accessed online at surveys.hutton. ac.uk/docowseatgrass

Ms Shortall said a £2 donation will be made to rural charities, including RSABI in Scotland, for every survey completed.