What are your research topics?
Overall, my work falls into the area of Applied Ethology, which is the study on animal behavior to address practical research questions focused on animal welfare or management. More specifically, I have had a few areas of interest during my career.
In my previous positions at the Miner Institute and University of Vermont and at the University of Tennessee, my projects addressed a range of management questions from the impacts of overcrowded loose housing for dairy cows to management of dry cows on pasture to social housing in early life for dairy calves.
My work at the University of Helsinki continues the broad theme with a greater interest in how cows utilize their time and resources when given partial access to pasture as well as how to ensure their welfare within this type of management strategy.
In the future, I look forward to contributing to projects that will investigate the ecological services, in addition to welfare benefits, of housing dry cows on pasture, how to provide supplemental feed to reindeer without detrimental welfare effects, and how to incorporate foster cows into calf management.
Where and how does your research topic have an impact?
Having applied research interests provides the opportunity to have a direct effect in several ways.
First, the outcomes of our projects can provide insights to farmers to utilize as they make decisions on how to best care for their cows.
Second, we can provide information to politicians and other policy makers to ensure that efforts to develop welfare legislation results in meaningful improvements in the quality of life that dairy cows, and other livestock species, experience.
Finally, we can connect with the general public to explain what cows need to have a life that is consistent with their nature, how those needs are currently being met, and where we are trying to improve the lives of cows.
As we generate new knowledge and understanding then we can promote animal welfare that helps cows while also, ideally, maintains trust in Finnish agricultural systems.
What is particularly inspiring in your field right now?
The aspects of my field that are inspiring right now are the ones that have inspired me throughout my career. I am in the very fortunate position that I can use my intellect and creativity to help addressing consequential real-world issues related to dairy cow welfare, interacting with students who will be able to apply what they learn in my courses upon leaving the university, and getting to work with dairy cows, who are just quite fascinating creatures.
Newly appointed University of Helsinki professors will give their
Professor of Animal Welfare Peter Krawczel’s professorship is shared between the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. It has been created within the Helsinki One Health program. Professor Krawczel gives his inaugural lecture “Understanding the resources dairy cows need to have a meaningful life” at 14.30.