title: Farmer and Public Attitudes Toward Lamb Finishing Systems.
abstract: To develop research and policy on the welfare of lambs in intensive finishing systems, it is important to understand public and sheep farmers' attitudes. The aim of this research was to identify and compare farmer and community attitudes relevant to the intensification of lamb finishing. The majority of respondents in the community sample expressed concern about all listed welfare issues, but particularly about feedlotting of lambs and the associated confinement. These attitudes correlated with community views on the importance of welfare issues including social contact and freedom to roam. Farmers expressed much lower levels of concern than did the general public except with regard to the health of lambs, disease control, access to shade, and lack of access to clean water.
authors.affiliation: a Animal Welfare Science Centre, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne , Parkville , Victoria , Australia.
authors.forename: Grahame
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Coleman
authors.affiliation: a Animal Welfare Science Centre, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne , Parkville , Victoria , Australia.
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Jongman
authors.affiliation: b School of Psychology and Psychiatry, Monash University , Clayton , Victoria , Australia.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Greenfield
authors.affiliation: a Animal Welfare Science Centre, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne , Parkville , Victoria , Australia.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hemsworth
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed; D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D000827:Animal Welfare / Q000592:standards; D000818:Animals; D001290:Attitude; D003256:Community Participation; D000067565:Farmers / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012756:Sheep; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Animal welfare; attitudes; confinement; feedlots; lambs