AUTHOR=Grotsch Henrike , Mergenthaler Marcus , Schulze Holger 

TITLE=Analyzing factors influencing dairy farmers’ intention to implement animal welfare practices: a case study of Germany

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Animal Science

VOLUME=Volume 6 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/animal-science/articles/10.3389/fanim.2025.1461282

DOI=10.3389/fanim.2025.1461282

ISSN=2673-6225

ABSTRACT=In context of the growing focus on animal welfare in dairy farming, this study explores the behavioral intention to implement animal welfare (AW) practices among dairy farmers in Germany. Within this investigation, AW practices are defined as targeted practices to enhance dairy cows’ well-being. A quantitative survey of 682 farmers was conducted. The results of a regression analysis revealed that striving for continuous enhancement, along with intrinsic motivation, significantly drives the intention to implement AW practices. Additional efforts and costs do not influence dairy farmers’ intention. A collective, sector-wide effort is essential to ensure that farmers have the necessary freedom to navigate respective changes by providing the necessary structural backing to sustain meaningful improvements in animal welfare.