Print version ISSN 0103-8478
HONORATO, Luciana Aparecida et al. Particularities of the human-animal interactions relevant to the welfare and productivity of dairy cows. Cienc. Rural [online]. 2012, vol.42, n.2, pp. 332-339. ISSN 0103-8478. http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S0103-84782012000200023.
Changes in the quality of interactions between animals and humans have a profound influence on the productivity and welfare of animals and, potentially, of humans involved in the dairy activity. Important alterations in these interactions can be obtained through training programs, or other forms of extension. To do so effectively, it is necessary to understand how interact the several aspects of this relationship, which includes besides the animals humans, and the environment where they are inserted. Most of published studies confirm the model of positive feedback human behavior and attitudes, and animal behavior. However, these studies have been carried out mostly in European countries or Australia, mostly under intensive, confined systems, and usually with the aiming of indicating an ideal worker profile. In this review we show that the rearing system may exert a strong influence in this process and conclude suggesting the development of studies with the objective of understanding the relationships between humans and animals in different farming systems, focusing on the diverse realities of Brazil. These studies should search understanding how characteristics such as feeding and health management, quality of facilities, genetics, size and composition of herds, and cultural regional peculiarities, influence the quality of these relationships.
Keywords : human-animal interactions; behavior; animal welfare.