FARM Program Welcomes Input for Animal Care Program Version 5 Revisions
The National Dairy Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program has recently launched its open comment survey for the FARM Animal Care Program’s drafted Version 5 standards updates.
This means that all dairy industry stakeholders—farmers, allied industry, customers, etc.—are invited to provide input—comments, feedback and concerns to the proposed revised standards until Oct. 28.
Currently, under development, the FARM Animal Care Program Version 5 will take effect July 1, 2024, for a three-year cycle once approved. The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) Board of Directors provides final approval on version standards.
The FARM Animal Care Program standards are revised every three years to reflect the most current science and best management practices within the dairy industry. Standards, rationale, and accountability measures are reviewed and revised by the FARM Animal Care Task Force and NMPF Animal Health and Well-Being Committee, with input from industry stakeholder groups including farmers, animal scientists, veterinarians and allied industry.
To view the proposed standard updates and provide comments, go to Qualtrics Survey | Qualtrics Experience Management.
Those who wish to participate have the opportunity to answer any questions in the survey or skip any questions that they do not wish to answer. Partial responses will not be recorded. At any time, you may stop the survey and come back to it if you wish to do so.
The Farm survey includes items for your consideration within the following topic areas:
- Animal Based Observations
- Painful Procedures
- Calf Management Practices
- Treatment Records
- Written Protocols
- Continuing Education
- Fitness to Transport
- Non-Ambulatory Cow Management
- Euthanasia
- Facilities
- Handling
- Program Implementation
It is estimated that this survey will take approximately 1hr. to complete.
The Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization (PAACO) recently certified the FARM Animal Care Program Version 4 as an approved animal welfare evaluation.
