Naseva combines animal welfare and food quality
A healthy and happy cow is a dairy farmer’s best work partner. Knowledge about cow welfare and how to promote it is also extremely important to Valio. Cow health and welfare are monitored and supported with the help of Naseva.
Naseva is the ISO 9001-certified Centralized Health Care Register for Finnish Cattle Herds that every Valio dairy farm is part of. Naseva includes annual veterinary inspections to monitor animal welfare and develop farm-specific plans to improve animal welfare and prevent animal diseases. The Naseva system also serves as a tool for data collection and reporting, which promotes the responsible use of veterinary medicines and thereby strengthens Finnish food safety.
A good life for a cow is built on routines and care
A healthy cow is calm and trusting. A contented cow moves, eats, and rests with her fellow cows at her own pace. The fact that cows have a good memory and ability to learn highlights the importance of routines, as a regular daily rhythm ensures a stress-free life for them.
Dairy farmers know each animal well and often notice even small behavioural changes that indicate something is not right. Animal welfare is also monitored by external professionals. A veterinary health care professional visits Valio dairy farms at least once a year – and even more frequently on most farms. The purpose of these visits is to ensure the health of the cows and to establish common guidelines for promoting their welfare.
A unique database on cattle welfare
Naseva’s registry data provides an up-to-date picture of the welfare of Finnish cattle herds. During a health check, the veterinarian assesses the farm’s practices as well as the animals’ conditions and welfare using a variety of indicators. These include, for example, feeding, animal behaviour, the relationship between humans and animals, as well as animal health status and the use of medications.
Naseva also collects reports from other registries, such as those on animal morbidity and mortality. Unlike other animal welfare systems, this extensive database also covers the monitoring of contagious animal diseases and medication use.