Co-construction of a Method to Evaluate Monetary and Non-Monetary Costs and Benefits of Animal Welfare Practices at the Farm Level

This paper reports on the co-development of an evaluation methodology aimed at quantifying both monetary and non-monetary costs and benefits of animal welfare practices on farms. Developed with input from experts and farmers, the method was applied to three practices—nursing cows, early piglet socialization, and a veranda for laying hens—to capture direct investments, labor changes, and performance metrics, along with intangible outcomes such as work well-being, farm consistency, and image. The approach achieved 75% effectiveness in estimating direct monetary impacts and proved highly efficient in assigning implicit values to improved work life quality and enhanced farm goodwill, with further field validation planned.