Species : Cows

Invited review: Development of a dairy barn concept to improve animal welfare

R. Wulf, S. Demba, V. Röttgen, J. Langbein, S. Düpjan, B. Weise, S. Rose, A. Sixt, J. Harms, I. Steinhöfel, H.-S. Bruckert, P.A. Guhl, M. Heppelmann, S. Jahn, M.J. Oettler, T. Homeier-Bachmann, L. Bachmann

Published in 2025

Study presenting the "future dairy barn" (FEL) concept, designed to better integrate the behavioral and social needs of dairy cattle. This alternative breeding model aims to sustainably improve their well-being while meeting societal expectations.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Bovines

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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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Cow comfort, behavior and welfare with specific reference to dairy cattle: A review

Damodaran Sreekumar & Veerasamy Sejian

Published in 2024

Review on optimizing dairy cow comfort

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Bovines

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Measuring minds: Understanding the mental states of dairy cattle in different management conditions

Heather W. Neave

Published in 2025

Review of a symposium on the  assessment of how the mental states of dairy cattle (positive emotions and cognitive functions in particular) are affected by management practices. It highlights the behavioral, physiological and cognitive indicators available and the potential of emerging automated on-farm monitoring technologies.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Bovines

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Healthy cows, happy farmers? Exploring the dynamics of mastitis and farmer well-being

Lind Nina, Hansson Helena, Emanuelson Ulf, Lagerkvist Carl-Johan

Published in 2025

Study showing that cow health influences the psychological welfare of dairy farmers. This connection is reinforced by the farmers' perceptions of the disease (in this case mastitis) and their sense of control over it.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

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Validation of qualitative behaviour assessment for dairy cows at pasture

L. Aubé, M.M. Mialon, I. Veissier, A. de Boyer des Roches

Published in 2025

Scientific article testing Qualitative Behavioral Assessment (QBA) as a means to measure the emotional states of dairy cows on pasture, assessing its reliability and ability to distinguish between different emotional contexts. The results show that QBA is able to identify variations in emotion and arousal, although there is room for improvement in inter-observer reliability. 

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

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The role of intrinsic motivation and continuous enhancement on the intention to implement animal welfare practices in dairy farming

Henrike Grotsch, Marcus Mergenthaler, Sarah Kühl, Holger Schulze

Published in 2025

Survey examining farmers' intrinsic motivation, habits and knowledge in relation to the improvement of animal welfare. Policies should encourage a continuous commitment to enhancement, rather than formal programs. 

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords: One Welfare,Societal issues

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Positive welfare in dairy cows: role of the vet

Russell, A; Randall, L; Green, M; Thompson, J

Published in 2024

Article summarizing the tools available to veterinarians to assess and promote the positive welfare of dairy cows on farms.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Animal-based measurements, Societal issues, Welfare indicators

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Effects of Using Mechanical Brushes on the Productive Performance of Dairy Cows

Li, H.; Zhang, R.; Li, H.; Yuan, H.; Zhang, R.; Ren, H.; Xiao, J.; Li, Z.; Wang, A.; Jin, Y.; Lin, P.

Published in 2024

Study showing that mechanical brushes are used differently by dairy cows at different stages of lactation, improving body cleanliness and milk production, particularly in multiparous cows.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords: Animal-based measurements,Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Enrichment, Lactation, Housing

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A review and future trends of precision livestock over dairy and beef cow cattle with artificial intelligence

Álvaro Michelena, Óscar Fontenla-Romero, José Luis Calvo-Rolle

Published in 2024

Sitrep on technological advances in precision farming (sensors and AI), now essential tools to  monitor herd health and detect anomalies at an early stage.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Animal-based measurements, Precision farmingWelfare indicators, livestock farming systemBehavioural disorders

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