National Organic Standards Board

Livestock Committee

Proposed Recommendation

Species-Specific Animal Welfare Scorecards

October 14, 2011

Introduction

Animal welfare is a basic principle of organic production. As the number of farmers in 

the United States decline, consumer concerns for farm animal care have increased. 

There are numerous animal welfare organizations and methods to verify animal welfare. 

The Livestock Committee believes that outcome based scores are the best measure of 

farm animal welfare.

Background

The United States Congress anticipated the need to elaborate livestock standards in 

1990 when the Organic Foods Production Act was passed. The Humane Society of the 

United States played a central role in advocating for the passage of OFPA. It was 

understood at that time that animal welfare standards would eventually be developed. 

Several animal health and welfare practices were described in the Preamble 

accompanying the NOP Final Rule that organic livestock farmers must adhere to. 

Discussion

The Livestock Committee feels that outcome based standards are the best measure for 

assessing the health and well-being of livestock. The four major concerns for dairy 

cattle are: 

 Body condition 

 Locomotion

 Cleanliness

 Injury and lesions

These measures are currently in use and have been well documented as welfare 

indicators in the livestock industry. Body condition is affected by stage of lactation and 

diet. Cows generally score less than 2 only if they are ill. Locomotion score may be 2 or 

greater if there is an injury. When cattle have a clean, dry place to lie down the majority 

of the herd will be clean. Grazing cattle generally have safe and spacious environments 

which minimize injuries and lesions. The Livestock Committee will discuss what is 

considered normal and acceptable for each of these measures in the future. Other 

welfare measures on the tally sheet include:

 Cattle affected with mange or lice

 Cattle with broken tails 

 Ammonia concentration in buildings
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Species-Specific Animal Welfare Scorecards Recommendation

October 14, 2011

 Other items that may need attention 

Cattle may be affected with mange and lice during the winter months. This is an 

uncomfortable condition and requires immediate treatment. Broken tails are uncommon 

and are generally the result of an accident. High numbers indicate a problem with 

animal handling or the farm environment. Ammonia smell in buildings may indicate a 

lack of ventilation.

The photographs and descriptions on the dairy score card clearly show the difference 

between scores and have a corresponding spot on the tally sheet. The shaded boxes 

on the tally sheet represent areas of concern. Inspectors should view all of the cows 

and young stock but tally only the animals that would score in a shaded box. This 

identifies any issues that may need to be addressed and minimizes the amount of 

additional inspection time. 

Committee Recommendations

I. Dairy Auditor Tally Sheet

II. Dairy Scorecard

Committee Vote

Motion: Wendy Fulwider Second: Mac Stone

Yes: 6 No: 0 Absent:1 Abstain: 0 Recuse: 0
Dairy Auditor Score Sheet

Date

Producer

Number of milk cows:

Dry cows:

Bred heifers:

6-12 months

0-6 months

Tally the number of cows that score in the appropriate shaded box. 

Overview of livestock health and conditions:

Extremely thin 1 Frame obvious 2 Body condition 3

Good fat cover

Well covered 4 Obese 5

Very clean 1 Hygiene 2

Manure stains

Wet or dry manure 3

On legs udder 

Extremely dirty 4

Normal 1 Locomotion 2

Slightly affected

3

Cannot keep up with 

herd 

Limping 4 Can’t bear weight 5

Hock condition 1

May have hair loss

Swelling 2

Number of cows missing patches 

of hair due to mange or lice

Number of cows with broken 

tails 

Ammonia odor present

Housing type: Milking herd __________________________Dry cows __________________________

 Heifers ______________________________ Calves ____________________________

Three items done well at this farm: 

Three items that may need attention at this farm:
Locomotion Scoring

Score 1 Normal Stands and 

walks normally. Her back is 

level. She makes long 

confident strides.

Score 5 Severely Lame -

Pronounced arching of the 

back. Reluctant to move, 

with almost complete 

weight transfer off the 

affected limb.

Score 4 Lame - Arched back 

standing and walking. 

Favoring one or more limbs 

but can bear some weight 

on affected limb(s). 

Score 3 Cannot keep up with 

the grazing herd. Stands and 

walks with an arched back. 

Makes short strides and 

favors one or more legs. 

Score 2 Slightly affected -

Stands with flat back and 

arches when she walks. 

Gait is slightly off.

1 2 3 4 5

Body Condition Scoring

Score 1 Extremely thin Score 4 Frame not as visible Score 5 Obese

as covering

Score 3 Frame and covering 

well balanced

Score 2 Frame obvious

1 2 3 4 5
Hock Lesions

Score 1 No damage or may have patches of hair loss on the hock Score 2 Swellings at the hock may be extensive, bleeding, or draining

1 1 2 2

Cow Cleanliness

Score 1 No manure stains or 

dried manure attached to 

cow. 

Score 4 Cows with wet or 

dried manure on legs, udder, 

and ventral abdomen.

Score 3 Dried or wet manure 

on legs or udder.

Score 2 Manure stains but 

no dried manure attached to 

cow.

1 2 3 4