ClassyFarm and welfare indicators in dairy cattle farming

Objectives: The study aimed to test whether plasma cortisol, interleukin-6 (IL-6), and individual Somatic Cell Count (SCC) can act as reliable proxies for the ClassyFarm risk rank. Materials and Methods: Three Animal-Based Measures (ABMs) (plasma cortisol, IL-6, and SCC) were evaluated and compared with the ClassyFarm risk rank, which is a farm-specific risk score, across three dairy cattle farms (A, B, and C). The ClassyFarm risk rank was 10, 13, and 17 on farms A, B, and C, respectively. Results: Our findings revealed a strong correlation between plasma cortisol levels and SCC across all herds (r > 0.70), particularly in B (r = 0.92). The SCC values generally complied with Regulation (EC) No. 853/2004 of the European Commission. However, IL-6 levels did not show a statistically significant correlation with the other ABMs (r < 0.6). Conclusions: This preliminary study indicates satisfactory agreement between the risk analysis conducted using the ClassyFarm system, as reflected in the ClassyFarm risk rank, and the ABMs investigated. These measures might serve as good real-time proxies for the ClassyFarm risk rank, helping implement any required corrective measures on the farm more promptly.