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Expert views on communicating genetic technology used in agriculture
Borealis
Hendricks, Jillian; Weary, Daniel; von Keyserlingk, Marina — 2024-03-04 The aim of the current study was to describe the views of experts working in agricultural genetics regarding how best to communicate genetic technology with a broader audience (e.g., clientele, the public). We recruited 10 experts working in roles that involve communication about genetic technology in agriculture. Using semi-structured interviews, we asked participants to describe how they discuss this technology, who they discuss it with, and their thoughts on the involvement of various stakeholders in these discussions. Interview transcripts were subjected to thematic analysis and participant responses were organized into three themes: 1) Communicating and framing genetic technology, including discussing risks, benefits, and applications, distinguishing technology from other similar technologies, and engaging in value-based discussions; 2) Challenges of public communication, including misinformation and opposing opinions, conflation with older technologies, and balancing information provision; and 3) Stakeholder involvement in discussions, which included views on how different groups (e.g., activists, farmers, and scientists) should be included in discussions, and who is best suited to discuss genetic technology with the public. We conclude that leaders in agricultural genetics engage in a variety of approaches to communicate genetic technology, using different frames that they feel are likely to appeal to their audience, and differ in their opinions of who should be involved in these discussions.
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Public perceptions of potential adaptations for mitigating heat stress on Australian dairy farms
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Hendricks, Jillian; Mills, Katelyn; Sirovica, Lara; Sundermann, Louise; Bolton, Sarah; von Keyserlingk, M.A.G — 2022-04-06 This study investigated Australian public perceptions of heat stress mitigation strategies for dairy cattle, including perceptions of 1) cow welfare, 2) confidence in the dairy industry, and 3) trust in dairy farmers. Through an online survey, participants were presented with one of the following heat stress mitigation options: 1) indoor barn system, 2) indoor-outdoor choice system, 3) gene edition of cattle for resilience to heat stress, and 4) pasture system. Participants perceived cow welfare as lowest in the indoor system and highest in the choice and outdoor systems. Confidence in the industry was lower for the indoor system than in choice and pasture systems, and lower in the gene edition system compared to the choice system. Trust in farmers was similar across all treatments. Of value to participants was the ability of the farm system to provide cows access to pasture, accommodate their freedom of movement and choice, and align with their natural living environment.
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Livestock haulers’ views about dairy cattle transport in Atlantic Canada
Borealis
Hendricks, Jillian; Roche, Steven; Proudfoot, Kathryn L; von Keyserlingk, M.A.G — 2022-11-02 Increasing interest by stakeholders, including the public, in farm animal welfare has brought about recent changes to the Canadian livestock transport regulations that affected dairy cattle transport. We interviewed 7 livestock haulers in Atlantic Canada regarding their attitudes towards these recent changes. Our analyses of the conversations revealed the following 2 major themes: 1) issues relating to animal welfare and management on the dairy farm and during transport and, 2) the feasibility of transport requirements and the enforcement of the regulations, including animosity towards other haulers and the challenge of satisfying both regulatory bodies and farmer clientele.
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Veterinarian perceptions on the care of surplus dairy calves
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Hendricks, Jillian; Weary, D.M; von Keyserlingk, M.A.G — 2022-06-16 This study investigated the perspectives of Canadian cattle veterinarians on the care and management of surplus calves, as well as how they view their role in improving care. We conducted 10 focus groups with a total of 45 veterinarians from 8 provinces across Canada. Recorded audio files were transcribed, anonymized, and coded using thematic analysis. We found that veterinarians approached surplus calf management issues from a wide lens, with 2 major themes emerging: (1) problematic aspects of surplus calf management, including colostrum management, transportation, and euthanasia, and suggested management and structural solutions, including ways to improve the economic value of these calves, and (2) the veterinarian’s role in advising dairy farmers on the care of surplus calves, including on technical issues, and more broadly working with farmers to better address public concerns.
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Social Acceptance of Genetic Engineering Technology
Borealis
Koralesky, Katherine; Sirovica, Lara; Hendricks, Jillian; Mills, Katelyn; von Keyserlingk, M.A.G; Weary, D.M — 2022-09-14 Genetic engineering of animals has been proposed to address societal problems, but public acceptance of the use of this technology is unclear. Previous work has shown that the source of information proposing the technology (e.g. companies, universities), the term used to describe the technology (e.g. genome editing, genetic modification), and the genetic engineering application (e.g. different food products) affects technology acceptance. We conducted three mixed-method surveys and used a causal trust-acceptability model to understand social acceptance of genetic engineering (GE) by investigating 1) the source of information proposing the technology, 2) the term used to describe the technology, and 3) the GE application for farm animals proposed. Quantitative analysis showed that the source of information and technology term had little to no effect on social acceptance. Further, participants expressed their understanding of technology using a range of terms interchangeably, all describing technology used to change an organism’s DNA. Applications involving animals were perceived as less beneficial than a plant application, and an application for increased cattle muscle growth was perceived as more risky than a plant application. We used structural equation modelling and confirmed model fit for each survey. In each survey, perceptions of benefit had the greatest effect on acceptance. Following our hypothesized model, social trust had an indirect influence on acceptance through similar effects of perceived benefit and risk. When assessing the acceptability of applications participants considered impacts on plants, animals, and people, trust in actors and technologies, and weighed benefits and drawbacks of GE. Future work should consider how to best measure acceptability of GE for animals, consider contextual factors and consider the use of inductive frameworks.
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The Entrepreneurs: Dairy farmer perspectives on finding an industry solution for the surplus calf issue – a participatory case study
Borealis
Proudfoot, Kathryn; Hendricks, Jillian; Higgens, Amy; Roche, Steve; Ritter, Caroline; Renaud, David; von Keyserlingk, M.A.G — 2022-10-04 The main objective of this case study was to pilot a novel methodology to deepen our understanding of how dairy producers envision the future of surplus calves in Atlantic Canada, including identifying who they felt were important to speak to as they discussed this topic. A second objective was to understand the perspectives of a key group the producers requested to speak to, representing a variety of dairy industry partners, including veterinarians, genetics companies and animal welfare scientists amongst others (referred to as the allied industry) on the future of surplus calves. To reach these objectives, we used an inclusive participatory approach that, to our knowledge, has not yet been applied to the surplus calf issue. This approach included a series of five participatory group discussions with volunteer dairy farmers from Atlantic Canada; the allied industry group was invited to two group discussions. Key themes from the discussions included: 1) challenges with surplus calf production on the dairy farm, such as a lack of knowledge about what type of calf would be desired by the marketplace, 2) the role of leadership and partnership in the creation of a dairy beef system, including the need to overcome communication barriers between different stakeholders, 3) post-farm gate aspects of surplus calf production, including the desire to cater to a local market, and 4) ensuring that the proposed system is economically and socially sustainable.
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Replication Data and Supplementary Material for: Public attitude towards and perceptions of dairy cattle welfare in cow-calf management systems differing in type of social and maternal contact
Borealis
Sirovica, Lara; Ritter, Caroline; Hendricks, Jillian; Weary, D.M; Gulati, Sumeet; von Keyserlingk, M.A.G — 2022-01-05 We investigated how Canadian and American participants in an online survey would perceive cow-calf management systems differing in type of social and maternal contact allowed. Attitudes and perceptions of animal welfare were more positive towards the system where calves were not separated from the cows, compared to systems in which the calf was separated and individually housed, separated and group housed, or separated and kept with a foster cow. Participants appeared to value the mother cow-calf relationship and were less accepting of cow-calf management systems that involved separating the calf from their mother.
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University student perspectives on antimicrobial peptide use in farm animals
Borealis
Shah, Barsha; Urloiu, Amalia; Hendricks, Jillian; Weary, D.M; Shriver, Adam — 2024-08-08 Growing awareness of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in livestock production has led to calls for the development of alternatives such as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that are also able to combat infectious diseases in farm animals. A critical step in the development of AMPs is to understand people’s perspectives towards this technology to avoid misalignment with societal expectations. The aim of this study was to investigate university student perspectives of AMPs applications in farm animals as alternatives to antibiotic use. We interviewed 20 university students and, using thematic analysis, identified six themes: 1) Initial knowledge, including knowledge of antibiotics and initial impressions of AMPs; 2) Human wellbeing, including the effects of food and animal health on public health, the importance of addressing AMR, and cost for farmers; 3) Animal welfare, including animal health, welfare, and production, and continuation of contentious farm practices; 4) Perceived naturalness of AMPs, including biocompatibility and comparing same and different species transfer of biological material; 5) Unforeseen consequences of AMPs, and the importance of researching unintended consequences of novel technologies; and 6) Public acceptance of AMPs, including trust and lack of awareness, and how AMPs might inspire new technology applications. In summary, participants viewed AMPs positively as an alternative to antibiotic use in farm animals to address AMR. However, key concerns centered around unintended harmful effects for food systems, public health and animal welfare, which may impact public acceptance of AMPs in animal agriculture.

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(Author: Hendricks, Jillian)

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