Editor’s note: This is the third in a series of articles about Dairy Farmers of Canada’s proAction Initiative.

Tail docking will no longer be permitted under the proAction Initiative and is currently not al-

lowed under The Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Dairy Cat-tle. Once the animal care module of proAction is implemented on farms, producers who continue to tail dock may be penalized.

Producers often cite improved ud-der cleanliness, and lower bacteria and somatic cell counts, as reasons to dock their cows’ tails. However, research has shown this practice is not effective, while keeping a clean environment is the most important management tool to maintain cow cleanliness and udder health. Further, proper pre- and post-milking teat cleaning and sanitation reduces mas-titis risk.

University of British Columbia (UBC) animal welfare researchers Drs. Marina von Keyserlingk and Dan Weary found tail docking causes cows pain and prevents them from using their natural flyswatters. Tail docking can also result in growth of nerve bundles at the tail stump, a source of chronic pain, and can lead to infections, such as tetanus and gan-grene.

Stopping the practice of tail dock-ing will be positive for the dairy industry’s reputation. The UBC re-searchers recently conducted an on-line survey on tail docking. They asked individuals—affiliated and not affiliated with the dairy industry—whether tails should be docked. More than 80 per cent of participants be-lieved tail docking was unnatural and

painful and were in favour of keeping tails on cows.

The researchers believe public op-position to tail docking has led Nor-way, Sweden, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and Switzerland to ban the practice. They also believe public opposition has resulted in food manufacturing corporations taking a stand on the issue as part of their cor-porate social responsibility practices. For instance, Nestle objects to prac-tices such as tail docking.

Under proAction, producers can only dock tails if it is medically nec-essary. For instance, the cow’s tail is broken or injured and at risk of in-fection. Producers will have to record their rationale for docking the tail.

What other farm commodities are doingMany producers ask Dairy Farmers of Ontario staff if tail docking of pigs or beak trimming of chickens will also be prohibited. In both sectors, these prac-tices improve animal welfare and each has recommended guidelines under their respective codes of practice.

Tail docking piglets is used as a pre-ventative measure to reduce injury or infection from tail biting as the pigs get older, says Mike Degroot, techni-cal veterinarian for Ontario Pork. Pigs can sometimes chew or bite other pigs’ tails after they are weaned and housed together. Tails can be bitten raw, which can increase infection risk, he says.

A half an inch to an inch of a piglet’s

Keeping tails intact

30 | November 2014 | MilkPRODUCER

PROCESSORPROFILE By Yvonne DickPROACTION By Maria Leal

Tail docking is prohibited under Dairy Farmers of Canada’s proAction Initiative

Consistently using the right technique when attaching the milking unit will result in comfortable milking for the cow and less tail flicking.

MilkPRODUCER | November 2014 | 31

It’s coming. Are you ready?Winter is coming soon and Dairy Farmers of Ontario (DFO) is reminding producers to clear their laneways of ice and snow to ensure a safe environment for milk transporters and timely milk pick up.

Providing transporters with safe access to your milkhouse is more than a courtesy—it reduces DFO’s winter transportation costs. DFO’s Farm Yards and Lanes Policy specifically states: “In winter, that portion of the yard and the lane through which the milk truck travels must be cleared of snow whenever necessary by either a snowblower or plow. The yard and lane must also be clearly marked with poles and reflecting markers. Ideally, the lane surface should be kept clear of ice, but any ice buildup should be salted and/or sanded.”

Plow, salt or sand for safety!

tail end is removed usually in the first three days of life, says Degroot. The cut part of the tail has no nerve end-ings, so if another pig chews on the tail the pig will feel it right away, and then likely run away, he adds. As of July 1, 2016, the newly revised Code of Prac-tice for the Care and Handling of Pigs, requires tail docking at any age must be done with analgesics to help con-trol post-procedure pain.

It’s natural for chickens to peck each other, says Dr. Mike Petrik, veterinar-ian and director of technical services at McKinley Hatchery. Chickens peck to create a social structure among a group, or when they are frustrated or bored. Chickens are naturally ag-gressive and pecking can cause injury or death, he adds. Laying hens and breeder chickens have their beaks trimmed to improve animal welfare and reduce mortality rates, he adds.

The egg and chicken industries have improved housing and management practices to reduce beak trimming. However, since birds are aggressive and have a complex social structure, the practice is still necessary, says Petrik. The European Union banned beak trimming in 2012 but later rescinded its decision because upholding the ban became unmanageable, he adds.

Alternatives to tail dockingWhen cows are comfortable during milking they are less likely to flick their tails, and will defecate and uri-nate less often. By making simple management changes to your opera-tion and milking practices, you can reduce your cows’ tail flicking and hazards to milkers, without docking tails. Here are some examples: •Flies irritate cows, which causesthem to flick their tails. You can reduce

flies and tail flicking by incorporating fly control methods, such as fly baits and fans. The Milk Producer’s April 2014 article entitled Fly Control out-lines ways to reduce flies in the barn. •Consistently using the right tech-nique when attaching the milking unit, regularly maintaining your milking machine, and periodically replacing liners, will result in comfortable milk-ing for your cows.•Trimmingthelonghairattheendofa cow’s tail is a viable alternative to tail docking. Switch trimming only needs to be performed two to three times a year. It can be done by hand shears or with electric trimmers.

Maria Leal is Dairy Farmers of Ontario’s assurance programs and field services manager.