AgriSafe Learning
Overcoming Barriers and Understanding the Psychological Impact of Livestock Euthanasia: A Study on Spanish-Speaking Swine Caretakers’ Pig Euthanasia Practices on U.S. Farms
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Summary: The webinar will be focused on the impact of pig euthanasia on Hispanic farmworkers, explaining the need to consider the cultural background of the people as part of effective training and welfare practices. We will delve into the importance of timely and humane euthanasia in maintaining both animal welfare and industry standards. This session will highlight the diverse demographics of the U.S. swine industry workforce, particularly the significant presence of Latin American workers who may face unique cultural and psychological barriers.
Participants will gain insights into the findings from a comprehensive study conducted across 16 farms in Iowa, where almost 200 Hispanic caretakers were surveyed and answer that assessed their attitudes and challenges related to pig euthanasia.
Key discussion points will include:
- The psychological impact of euthanasia on caretakers, with a focus on secondary traumatic stress and its higher prevalence among female workers.
- The critical role of customized training programs is to improve the ability to identify compromised pigs and perform timely euthanasia.
- By understanding these factors, attendees will be better equipped to develop and implement targeted training initiatives that address cultural sensitivities, ultimately enhancing worker satisfaction, animal welfare, and compliance with industry audits.
Intended Audience: Swine industry professionals, farm managers and owners, animal welfare advocates, agricultural trainers and educators, human resource managers in agriculture, veterinarians and veterinary technicians, policymakers and regulatory bodies, researchers and academics
Objectives: At the end of this webinar participants will be able to:
- Identify and understand the cultural and demographic barriers that Hispanic farmworkers face in performing timely and humane pig euthanasia.
- Gain insights into the importance of timely euthanasia in the Common Swine Industry Audit (CSIA) context and learn strategies to enhance compliance with industry standards through improved training and practices.
- Utilize the insights from the research to improve on-farm practices, ensuring timely and humane euthanasia processes that align with industry standards and enhance animal welfare.
Arlene Garcia-Marquez, PhD
Dr. Arlene Garcia-Marquez, a native of Presidio, Texas, is a prominent expert in animal behavior and welfare with a comprehensive background in the field. As a PAACO certified multi-species animal welfare auditor, a licensed veterinary technician, and an animal welfare consultant, Dr. Garcia-Marquez brings extensive expertise to her role. Her teaching focuses on farm animal stress, behavior, and welfare, as well as Spanish for Specific Purposes in Agriculture. Her research is dedicated to the management of compromised livestock and timely euthanasia, with significant contributions to pig transportation research that have led to the development of national guidelines. She is committed to enhancing animal welfare by addressing commercial needs and developing educational programs for caretakers on humane handling and welfare practices. Dr. Garcia-Marquez also plays a crucial role in service, holding positions such as president elect for the Latino Hispanic Faculty and Staff Association at Texas Tech University, co-chair of the Animal Behavior and Well-being Program for the American Society of Animal Science (ASAS), and member of the ASAS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee. Her work continues to support both local producers and the broader industry through rigorous animal welfare standards and innovative research.
Pablo Lamino, PhD, MS, BS
Dr. Pablo Lamino is an Assistant Professor of Agricultural Leadership within the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication (AEC) at the University of Florida. Hailing from Quito, Ecuador, he earned his bachelor’s degree in Environment and Development from Escuela Agrícola Panamericana, El Zamorano, and his Master’s and PhD in Agricultural Education and Communication from Texas Tech University. Dr. Lamino’s research expertise lies in studying underrepresented communities, including indigenous and Hispanic groups in agriculture. His work investigates critical issues such as migration intentions, leadership dynamics, and agricultural perceptions. Additionally, he explores Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (KAP) among college students from Latin America and the US and examines how agriculture influences youth migration patterns in low- and middle-income countries. Through his work, Dr. Lamino aims to enhance the well-being of agricultural workers and improve training programs to address cultural barriers and promote sustainable practices.
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