Animal category: Cattle

Study of the effects of diet before transport (farm milk vs. electrolytes), type of vehicle (open truck vs. converted truck) and duration of journey (6 vs. 18h) on the physiological condition of young calves on arrival at the farm.

Review of major advances in the development of physiological welfare biomarkers to monitor animal responses to, and recovery from, environmental disturbances in dairy cows and small ruminants.

Practical advice on the prevention of lameness in cattle: early detection, correct raising of the foot, trimming, post-trimming surveillance, preventive herd management.

Review of current scientific knowledge on the use of composted bedding as a cow housing system. Goals: to determine whether this improves animal welfare and to provide a comprehensive tool for producers and researchers who use this housing system.

Danish study testing the effects of dairy farmers' attitudes on the welfare of their animals.

Article setting out advice from a professor at theOklahoma State UniversityCollege of Veterinary Medicine on how to design a suitable plan to prevent
cold stress in newborn calves.

Economic reasons, challenges and opportunities for consumer acceptance of biotechnological applications in animal welfare with particular reference to gene editing techniques and the pig and dairy industries

Preview:  “Drawing upon a body of theoretical and applied work, we critically review the scientific literature on the assessment of affective states in animals, drawing examples where possible from research on dairy cattle, and highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of scientific methods used to assess affective states in animals.”

This study of contact calls between calves and their mothers shows that they have an individual distinctive character that can attract the social support of fellow calves. Knowledge of these indices of individuality could help farmers to better distinguish between animals for welfare or production purposes.