The Interrelation Between Livestock Genetics, Welfare And Disease: A Consumer Article Essay Sample

The research employed both primary and secondary methods in collecting the data required for the research. The primary methods used in collecting the data were interviews and questionnaires. The group settled on these two primary methods since they save time to conduct survey and also offer close contact with the respondents of the research to get the actual facts on the ground. The respondents used in the research were producers, industry person and producer‘s group. Additionally, the group also used secondary sources (academic articles) from the University library. The secondary sources provided addition information on diseases, economics and impact of genetic in dairy cows. We used the secondary sources to get precise and appropriate guidelines/description on how to conduct survey step by step.
The group had contact with the producers and carry out interviews concerning the animal welfare, diseases and genetics program using twelve questions from the questionnaire. For the start of the discussion, we asked the producers their opinion on the selective genomics and the impact it has on the on the general economy and welfare of the animals. This was meant to get the general views on the selective genomics, the benefits and the milestones it has achieved since its inceptions on the animal welfare. However, the group asked specific questions to get the actual data which will be essential for the study. We specific questions touch on the goal of the immunity + program, the duration the program has been in place, the number of producers benefiting from the program, the enrollment rate since the start of the program, the benefits of sires and the expense of the program compared to other breeding program run by Semex. Moreover, the group had the chance of watching video on semexs website about the impact of the program on the diseases such as the mastitis, johne’s, metritis and ketosis. Hence, the group was interested in getting to know the success the program has achieved in improving the traits of the animal and future diseases the producers are planning to address through the program.
The group had the chance to talk to industry person about the steps the industry has taken on the selective genomics and what the farmers need to do to improve the welfare of the animals. After the discussion industry person provided us with a power point presentation which had additional information apart from the questions we discussed during the interview.
The group also met the producers group to get their insight on the animal welfare and impact of diseases on the animal welfare. The questions from the questionnaires aim at finding out which disease has the biggest impact on their herds and the considerations (such as disease resistance) they take when deciding about breeding. Additionally, the group asked the group producers about the current challenges, how the industry is addressing these problems and whether genetic selection is among the measure used to address these challenges. Moreover, the group asked the group producers on the emerging tactics and trends on tackling problems associated with animal access to clean water, housing, food, sound management to relieve the animals from stress and prevention of animals from injuries.