How Do AnimalWelfare Practices Relate to Farm Characteristics? Evidence from German Dairy Farms

Farm animal welfare has become increasingly important in public debates. This study uses an interval regression approach to estimate German dairy farmers' willingness to change selected animal welfare-related farming practices. The analysis reveals that the highest price premiums are required for implementing cow-calf rearing and accepting a herd size limit, while farmers provide deep cubicles and ample space without premiums. Furthermore, farms with large herds require higher compensation to provide pasture grazing than smaller farms. Overall, we find no simple relationship between farm size and the willingness to change animal welfare-related practices.