Animal category: Cattle

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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Comparing the performance of deep learning video-based models and trained veterinarians in cattle pain assessment

Feighelstein M, Tomacheuski RM, Elias G, Shashoua N, van der Linden D, Luna SPL, Zamansky A

Published in 2026

Study showing that artificial intelligence models can recognize pain in cattle with an accuracy comparable to that of experienced veterinarians analysing video footage.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

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Review: Free-stall Bedding Management for Enhanced Dairy Cow Health and Welfare

N. Siachos, R.F. Smith, J.M. Neary

Published in 2026

A scientific review of the main properties, benefits, risks, and best management practices associated with bedding materials commonly used in free-stall dairy operations. It concludes that choosing a type of bedding involves balancing the benefits to cow health, farm profitability, and management requirements in order to make an informed decision.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Bovines

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Grooming using brushes in cattle: A review of benefits, influencing factors, and monitoring opportunities

Habeeb Muraina, Borbala Foris

Published in 2026

A review of the literature shows that scratching posts are widely used by cattle and contribute to hygiene and possibly to welfare. Their use could serve as an indicator of welfare, but results vary depending on the animals’ health status, environment, and individual characteristics.

Document types: Scientific documents

Animal categories: Bovines

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Effects of age and feeding protocols on the metabolic and physiological condition of unweaned calves during and after long-distance transport

Susanne Siegmann, Luca L. van Dijk, Niamh L. Field, Gearoid Sayers, Katie Sugrue, Cornelis G. van Reenen, Eddie A. M. Bokkers, Muireann Conneely

Published in 2026

Study on the effects of long journeys and the fasting involved on the physiological condition of young, unweaned calves. Provision of 4 L of milk before transport slightly improves their energy balance and hydration compared to 2 L, but only partially offsets the negative effects of long-distance transport.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

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Brushing as Environmental Enrichment in Dairy Cattle: Effects of Different Brushing Modalities on Behavior, Health, and Production

Maciel-Torres, S.P.; Ruiz-González, A.; Orzuna-Orzuna, J.F.; Arenas-Báez, P.; Garay-Martínez, J.R.; Granados-Rivera, L.D.

Published in 2026

Study showing that the use of brushes for dairy cows improves their welfare and can assist in health monitoring. The effects on milk production vary.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Bovines

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Exploring the relationship between whole carcass condemnations and farm animal welfare: A rapid scoping review

Christine Kuo, Emma G. Gardner, Murray Gillies, Marianne I. Parent

Published in 2026

Literature review showing that data on carcass rejection at abattoirs can serve as an indirect indicator of animal welfare, but studies remain largely European and focus primarily on poultry. Their main focus is on links between animal health status on farms and carcass rejection, whereas research on other welfare factors (diet, housing, behavior, transport) is limited.

Document Types: Scientific review

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

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