Maintain Leadership Position in Research and Innovation

To ensure that Tyson Foods maximizes the resources available to us, driving continuous improvement in animal welfare outcomes through research and innovation, we have core tenets that guide our selection of research projects, whether we undertake them independently, collaborate with others or fund externally. For a project to be considered, it must be based in science, leveraged with technology, driven by innovation, focused on welfare outcomes, modeled using animal preference, and deliver continuous improvement. 

We continually strive to enhance animal welfare throughout our supply chain and expect the same commitment from our independent and contract farmers, as well as our supply chain partners. Our research focuses on measuring and improving welfare outcomes, such as mobility in cattle or paw scores in broilers. This research is holistic in nature, evaluating the impact of practices on welfare, environmental indicators and economics. 

Focusing on animal welfare outcomes over resource-based inputs is important because inputs reveal only the prescriptive requirements present in an animal’s environment, such as stocking density or the breed of animal. Resource-based inputs do not tell us anything about the quality of the animal’s life or the impact of those requirements on the animal’s outcomes. Outcomes are measurable indicators that reflect the true impact of the environment or management practices on the animal’s welfare. Favorable welfare outcomes can be achieved with various types of inputs, but specific inputs do not guarantee favorable welfare outcomes. Outcomes can be measured and tracked, and we, therefore, set targets for continuous improvement. 

Measuring animal preference and the resulting animal welfare outcomes is central to our approach to animal welfare research. We use animal preference as part of our research strategy to better understand what animals want and need. This approach is directly tied to the Five Domains and optimizing positive welfare outcomes for the animals entrusted to our care. 

Tyson Foods also advances animal welfare education beyond our community of team members. We provide access to our facilities and expertise in animal welfare auditing, in cooperation with our supply chain, customers, academics and audit firms. This enables external stakeholders and individuals to gain professional animal auditor certification through PAACO. We open our doors to undergraduate and graduate students in animal science for educational opportunities, providing a place to evaluate welfare practices. Our facilities also serve as locations for various supply chain and customer educational events focused on animal welfare policies and practices.