Doctoral candidate at the University of Hohenheim’s Department of Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding

At breeding shows, the choice of the “most beautiful” cow is primarily based on conformation traits, i.e. external appearance. Lady Gaga was honored for her beautiful udder, good teat position, clear feet & legs and wide rump. However, this does not just mean that the cow is beautiful to look at, but that there are many advantages in terms of farm management and, above all, animal health. 

A beautiful udder and a straight teat position make milking easier and prevent udder diseases such as mastitis. A wide pelvis reduces the risk of difficult births. A good foundation prevents hoof diseases, lameness, and joint problems, thus significantly determining the longevity of the animals.

Research associate and doctoral candidate in the “Agricultural and Food Policy” department at the University of Hohenheim

I find this photo particularly exciting in connection with the title “winner’s interview" and the subtitle. The cow is invited to the TV studio as the winner and is thus portrayed as an important player. In our research, we are thinking along similar lines. We look at the costs and benefits of policy measures to improve animal welfare, e.g. regulations on calf husbandry. With it, we investigate how costs and benefits can be calculated in euros from the animals’ point of view – and not just from the perspective of agriculture, as is currently the case. For example, how would the winning cow assess the costs and benefits of her milk yield? If the winning cow had money, how much would she pay to go out to pasture? We try to answer such questions on the basis of animal science research and a number of additional assumptions, making animals economic actors in their own right that can be taken into account in cost-benefit analyses.

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Director of dairy farming at the Meiereihof research station, University of Hohenheim

Auctions, shows, and fairs are only a very small part of the lives of comparatively very few dairy cows and have little to do with the practical realities on dairy farms.

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Former State Commissioner for Animal Welfare with teaching duties at the University of Hohenheim

How nice it would be if this interview actually took place. At last we could find out what a cow really wants, appreciates, or perceives as a burden. 

Unfortunately, we have to take detours and translate signals to find out whether the animals are doing well. After all: We know numerous indications of their condition – animal-based indicators and much more. 

But do we look, smell, and listen systematically, closely and frequently enough to know how they are doing? Apparently not, if you consider how early the average cow reaches the end of its life in Germany and how many are slaughtered due to illness. 

I think it is our urgent duty to pay much more attention to every single animal in our care - from which we also derive many benefits – based on expertise and empathy.

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