A Pilot Study on the Establishment of Standards for Promoting Beef Cattle Production in Accordance with the Global Health Concept in Nakhon Ratchasima Province

Abstract

Beef cattle production in Thailand is increasingly shifting towards on industrialized beef production system, which has significant implications for the health of raising, animals, and the environment. The main purpose of this study was to examine the knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to the development of good
agricultural standards in beef cattle production, and to utilize the findings to inform the drafting of standards for beef production in accordance with the global health concept (adapted from the one health concept).
A total of 250 beef cattle farms were selected in Nakhon Ratchasima province which were divided into small, medium, and large farms. A questionnaire designed in accordance to study was administered to farm
representatives. The obtained data were analyzed to inform the development of a draft standard for beef production in accordance with the global health concept. It was found that the majority of farmers in Nakhon Ratchasima Province (76.8%) operate small-scale beef cattle farms. However, nearly 80% of farmers did not meet the criteria and declined to apply for Good Agricultural Practices (GAP)
certification. In contrast, the majority of GAP-certified farms are large-scale operations (50%), and these farms tend to have higher incomes compared to non-GAP farms. However, GAP-certified farms tend to have fewer healthy farmers and lower environmental
hygiene than non-GAP farms, respectively. Based on the results, it can be summarized that the GAP standards for beef cattle farms provide
guidelines that can help farmers improve beef cattle
management and achieve higher incomes. However, these standards do not place sufficient emphasis on promoting the health of farmers and on environmental health. Therefore, to ensure high-quality and safe beef production that comprehensively addresses the health of framers, cattle, and the environment, it is necessary to develop standards based on the principles of One Health or Global Health