Although beef and dairy production in Alberta, Canada, enjoys strong public support, there are enduring public concerns, including farm animal welfare. Evolving codes of practice and animal care councils prescribe changes and improvements to many areas of farm management, and may be seen by farmers as an appropriate response to public animal welfare concerns. However, codes of practice do not address every animal welfare concern, and new concerns can arise over time. Drawing on social practice theory and in-depth field research with 36 cattle and dairy farmers, this paper explores the materials, competencies, and meanings of four animal husbandry practices: branding, dehorning, weaning, and on-farm handling and moving. Findings show that branding and dehorning are evolving slowly with attention to pain management, but remain firmly rooted in ranching tradition and communities of practice. Weaning and animal handling practices are evolving more quickly with attention to changing materials, attitudes, and values that are more prevalent within producer communities.

中文翻译：

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“这就是我们一直以来的做法”：艾伯塔省农场动物福利的社会实践分析

尽管加拿大艾伯塔省的牛肉和奶制品生产得到了公众的大力支持，但公众仍然存在长期关注，包括农场动物福利。不断发展的行为准则和动物护理委员会规定了农场管理的许多领域的变化和改进，并且可能被农民视为对公共动物福利问题的适当回应。然而，行为准则并没有解决所有动物福利问题，随着时间的推移可能会出现新的问题。本文利用社会实践理论和对 36 位奶牛和奶农的深入实地研究，探讨了四种畜牧业实践的材料、能力和意义：品牌、去角、断奶和农场处理和移动。调查结果表明，随着对疼痛管理的关注，品牌塑造和去角化正在缓慢发展，但仍然牢牢扎根于牧场传统和实践社区。随着对生产者社区中更为普遍的不断变化的材料、态度和价值观的关注，断奶和动物处理实践发展得更快。