Animal category: Cattle

Live bovine animal export dynamics and structural heterogeneity across European member states, 2014-2024: A cluster -based analysis

Evija Skujina, Irina Pilvere

Published in 2026

Study highlighting a sharp rise in live cattle exports from the EU between 2014 and 2024, despite a decline in the number of European cattle. It reveals stark contrasts between Member States and the unique role played by France in the European cattle sector.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

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Cattle Welfare, Health, and Husbandry: the sustainability connection 

Tom Warboys, Ruaraidh Petre

Published in 2026

Opinion piece arguing that animal welfare constitutes an essential ethical prerequisite for sustainable production.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

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A One Welfare perspective on calf health: a qualitative study of knowledge, attitudes, working conditions, working atmosphere, and communication among farmers and calf-care teams on large Saxon dairy farms

Douay--Ryckelynck M, Retzler P, Meier KK, Merle R, Müller K-E, Stock A, Jensen KC

Published in 2026

Study showing that working conditions, communication, and staff training can influence calf health. A positive work environment and effective communication within teams are associated with better health outcomes.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Bovines

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The Sensory World of Cattle: Abilities, Limitations, and Perceptual Challenges in Human-Designed Environments

Maria Vilain Rørvang, Rebecca K. Meagher, Johanna Stenfelt, Emily K. Miller-Cushon, Sheikh Rishad Ahmmad, Maria Camila Ceballos

Published in 2026

Review summarizing current knowledge on the sensory abilities of cattle (vision, hearing, smell, taste, and touch). It highlights gaps in knowledge, particularly with regard to smell, taste, and touch. It stresses the importance of taking better account of cattle’s sensory perceptions to adapt their housing environments and improve their welfare.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Bovines

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Conséquences des procédures douloureuses et stressantes chez les bovins

EURCAW Ruminants & Equines

Published in 2026

Fact sheet providing a detailed examination of painful and stressful procedures commonly performed on cattle (identification marking, dehorning or disbudding, tail docking, castration, and teat removal). It describes the biological context, legal requirements, and key points to check during inspections.

Document types: Technical Paper

Animal categories: Bovines

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Electrophysiologic evidence of loss of consciousness in cattle during slaughter with and without stunning: a systematic review and methodological overview

Haut SR, Parmentier T, Fisher RS, and Khalil NM

Published in 2026

A systematic review based on electrophysiological data concluded that in cattle slaughtered without stunning, loss of consciousness generally occurs rapidly, between approximately 4 and 13 seconds after the incision.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Bovines

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Financing the Transition to Cage-Free Farming in the EU

Godfroy, A., Muro, M., Nadeu, E., Wedl, I., Jadzisnka, J.

Published in 2026

Report providing a comprehensive and up-to-date assessment of the financing options for the transition to cage-free livestock farming systems at EU level, drawing on scientific data, an analysis of European policies, national case studies, and interviews with industry experts.

Document Types: Technical review

Animal categories:Cattle, Pigs, Poultry

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Managing Trade-offs Between Economic, Environmental, and Animal Welfare Performance in French Suckler Cattle Farms Through Feeding Practices

Larissa Mysko, Claire Mosnier, Patrick Veysset, Isabelle Veissier, Jean-Joseph Minviel

Published in 2026

Scientific article setting out to identify conflicting economic, environmental and animal welfare objectives on suckler cow farms and to develop ways of arriving at compromise solutions that manage these conflicts.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

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Évaluation de l’impact du PSN sur le bien-être animal-rapport final

EY

Published in 2026

Evaluation of the National Strategic Plan (PSN) from the perspective of animal welfare (BEA), covering the years 2023 and 2024—the first two full years of implementation of the CAP National Strategic Plan (PSN). Analysis of the contribution of CAP interventions to animal welfare, as well as their consistency and complementarity with other relevant measures.

Document Types: Technical review

Animal categories: Bovines, Caprines, Equines, Ovines, Porcines, Poultry

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Research on Cattle Feeding and Nutrition in Relation to Animal Welfare: A Bibliometric Analysis

Ana María Herrera, Emilia Ponce, Robert Emilio Mora-Luna

Published in 2026

Bibliometric analysis of 424 publications (2009–2025) highlighting a strong growth in research on the links between nutrition and cattle welfare, with a shift towards approaches that also incorporate stress, health, and productivity

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Bovines

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