Species : Beef

Review: Understanding cattle social behavior in modern penned production systems with AI technology: Are we tracking welfare indicators?

A. Fuentes, S. Han, J. Liu, J. Park, S. Yoon, D.S. Park

Published in 2026

Review stressing the limitations of AI in automatically monitoring cattle behaviors, currently limited to describing actions independent of context. The authors propose an AI framework based on the principles of multimodal data integration, context-aware behavioral modeling, shared behavioral ontologies, human-in-the-loop system design, and explainable AI to improve assessment of animal welfare.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Bovines

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The use of Diathermic Syncope® for stunning cattle – EFSA Opinion

EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW), Søren Saxmose Nielsen, Julio Alvarez, Anette Boklund, Sabine Dippel, Fernanda Dorea, Jordi Figuerola, Mette S. Herskin, Miguel Angel Miranda Chueca, Eleonora Nannoni, Romolo Nonno, Anja B. Riber, Karl Stahl, Jan Arend Stegeman, Hans-Hermann Thulke, Frank Tuyttens, Virginie Michel, Christoph Winckler, Mohan Raj, Antonio Velarde, Alexei Vyssotski, Yves Van der Stede, Aikaterini Manakidou

Published in 2026

New EFSA opinion concluding that the Diathermic Syncope® (DTS) method for stunning cattle does not guarantee a level of welfare equivalent to that of methods that are currently permitted.

Document Types: Opinions

Animal categories: Bovines

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Impact of ‘hands-free’ rational handling on operational performance and economic losses in beef cattle

Daniela Costa Cotrim Campos, Adriane Lermen Zart, Claudio Vaz Di Mambro Ribeiro

Published in 2025

Scientific study showing that a cattle-handling protocol designed to reduce stress  significantly reduces bruising and loading times. Economic losses are also lower than those for conventional handling practices. The "hands-free" handling strategy improves operational efficiency without compromising carcass quality.

Document types: Scientific documents

Animal categories: Bovines

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BeBoP : Evaluer le bien-être des taurillons : des indicateurs revus pour gagner en faisabilité sans perdre en fiabilité

Agathe Cheype, Beatrice Mounaix, Jerome Manceau, Vincent Gauthier, Quentin Delahaye, Claire Dugue, Laure-Anne Merle, Xavier Boivin

Published in 2025

A study validating 14 welfare indicators for young bull calves. They are generally reliable and can be used routinely despite certain lmitations on direct observations. To help overcome the latter, a video-based Deep Learning tool has performed promisingly, automating behavioral measurements and enhancing their reliability. 

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

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Rapid loss of consciousness in cattle following nonstun slaughter: evidence from a systematic review

Hascalovici JR, Schipper HM, Regenstein JM, Rosen SD, Zivotofsky A, St-Jean G, Freilich S, Morrison TJ, Rabkin SW, Haut S.

Published in 2025

Systematic review analyzing 15 studies on slaughter without stunning in cattle. According to four studies considered to be of good quality, cattle generally lose consciousness in less than 10 seconds, provided that slaughter without stunning is carried out correctly and under optimal conditions.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Bovines

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Considerations for the Welfare of Ruminants During Transport

Lily Edwards-Callaway, Genaro C. Miranda de la Lama, Daniela M. Meléndez, Karen Schwartzkopf-Genswein

Published in 2025

Article covering critical areas of transport that veterinarians must consider when striving to maintain and improve the welfare of ruminants.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Ruminants

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A review: effect of different floor surfaces and space allocation on the welfare and performance of indoor finishing beef cattle

Keane, M. P., Cuevas-Gómez, I., Earley, B.

Published in 2025

Review analyzing the effects of floor type and available space on the welfare and performance of beef cattle. Soft flooring, straw bedding and sufficient space improve comfort and locomotor activity, while allometric equations help the more precise calculation of space requirements.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Bovines

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Systematic Review of Acoustic Monitoring in Livestock Farming: Vocalization Patterns and Sound Source Analysis

Ramos Niño JN, Sousa FCd, Oliveira CEA, Coelho ALdF, Hernandez RO, Barbari M.

Published in 2025

Systematic review showing that environmental sounds and animal vocalizations have promise as non-invasive indicators of animal welfare. Despite technological advances, challenges remain in terms of standardization, physiological validation and practical application under real-life commercial conditions.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories:Cattle, Pigs, Poultry

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Welfare of beef cattle

EFSA Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW)

Published in 2025

EFSA opinion assessing the risks to beef cattle welfare associated with the environment, rearing practices and mutilation. It proposes concrete recommendations (space, feeding, enrichment, ABM in slaughterhouses). Emphasis is placed on pain prevention, the social stability of animals, and improved stabling conditions and access to the outdoors.

Document Types: Opinions

Animal categories: Bovines

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Welfare and performance benefits of shade provision during summer for feedlot cattle in a temperate climatic zone

David W Miller, Anne L Barnes, Teresa Collins, Liselotte Pannier, Joshua Aleri, Shane K Maloney, Fiona Anderson

Published in 2024

Study evaluating the benefits of access to shade for cattle in a temperate zone. Results showed a slight improvement in weight gain and calmer, more sociable behavior in cattle with access to shade under conditions of moderate heat stress.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Animal-based measurements, Environment, Welfare indicators, Living environment, Robustness, Behavioural disorders

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