Subject: Food

The carbon cost of impaired welfare on sheep farms

L. Lanzoni, M.C. Reeves, K. Waxenberg, R. Ramsey, A.S. Atzori, J. Bell, R.M. Rees, G. Vignola, C.M. Dwyer

Published in 2025

Study analyzing the impact of animal welfare on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions on sheep farms in the UK. Degraded welfare scenarios (lameness, parasites, inadequate feed, insufficient shelter) are shown to increase emissions intensity (kg CO2eq/kg liveweight) by reducing production efficiency. The results show that targeted interventions to improve animal welfare can reduce GHGs while optimizing farm performance.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Ovines

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Societal issues, Environment, Living environment, livestock farming system

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Social networks of pregnant gilts during outdoor feeding and the effects on their offspring

Leandro Sabei, Marisol Parada Sarmiento, Cihan Çakmakçı, Sharacely de Souza Farias, Thiago Bernardino, Rosangela Poletto, Erika Alejandra Becerra Mendez, Beatriz Kaori, Adroaldo José Zanella

Published in 2024

Study examining the social dynamics of gilts through pregnancy in an outdoor system, analyzing their feeding and social behaviors, and the effects of these dynamics on the group and their offspring. Results show links between social rank, salivary cortisol levels and piglet weight, highlighting the importance of integrating social behavior into management and genetic selection practices to improve pig welfare.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Aggression, Aggressivity, Welfare indicators, Lactation, Maternity, Personality, Prenatal issues, Socialization

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European animal breeders vision for 2030

EFFAB - European Forum of Farm Animal Breeders

Published in 2024

Document from the European Forum of Farm Animal Breeders (EFFAB) stressing the importance of technological innovations to improve animal health, reduce environmental impacts and guarantee food safety.

Document types: Technical Paper

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

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Precision farming, Societal issues, environment, livestock farming system

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A Systematic Review on Management Practices Affecting Welfare in Male Calves: A Five Domains Model Approach

Tuberquia-López B.C., Álvarez Hernández, N., & Correa Valencia, N. M.

Published in 2024

Meta-analysis identifying practices such as ad libitum feeding, early intake of solid feed, housing in social groups and appropriate pain management as conducive to the welfare of veal calves, using a five-domain model approach.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Pain, Lactation, Housing, Mutilation, Weaning, Transportation

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How do different amounts of straw as well as compost in the home pen affect the rooting motivation of growing-finishing pigs?

S. Lopez, C. Rufener, M. Holinger

Published in 2024

Study showing that pigs' foraging behavior is better satisfied by housing with permanent access to rooting materials than with minimal amounts of straw.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Porcines

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

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RENEWAL Webinar

Idele

Published in 2024

RENOUVEAU end of project webinar slides. The webinar included various speakers on the project's finidngs and what the future holds for the French veal industry.

Document Types: Technical review

Animal categories: Bovines

Keywords:Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Livestock buildings, Societal issues, Enrichment, Welfare indicators, Housing, Living environment, One Welfare, Carcass quality, livestock farming systemProcessing

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Sustainable poultry farming practices: a critical review of current strategies and future prospects

Ramesh Bahadur Bist, Keshav Bist, Sandesh Poudel, Deepak Subedi, Xiao Yang, Bidur Paneru, Sudhagar Mani, Dongyi Wang, Lilong Chai

Published in 2024

Overview exploring strategies for sustainable poultry farming such as organic farming, use of alternative proteins, biotechnological innovations and waste management to minimize ecological footprints and improve economic viability. The study calls for increased collaboration between researchers, policy-makers and professionals to promote ethical, sustainable and resilient poultry production for the future.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Poultry

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Livestock buildings, Education, Precision farming, Societal issues, Environment, Risk management, Housing, Living environment, Pollution, Carcass quality, Breeding and Rearing systems

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Text Mining and Topic Analysis for Ostriches' Welfare Based on Systematic Literature Review from 1983 to 2023

Previti, A.; Biondi, V.; Or, M.E.; Bilgiç, B.; Pugliese, M.; Passantino, A

Published in 2024

Literature review on ostrich welfare using text mining and thematic analysis for 122 articles published between 1983 and 2023. The main topics identified were health and management, feeding, reproductive welfare, egg production and welfare during transport. Despite an increase in research since 1994, further studies are needed to better protect ostrich welfare.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal Categories:Birds (excluding poultry)

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Housing, Living environment, Transport, Welfare indicators

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Review: Space allowance for growing pigs: animal welfare, performance and on-farm practicality

K.L. Chidgey

Published in 2024

Scientific synthesis exploring the scientific basis of the most common approaches to determining minimum space allowances for growing pigs, and examining the various factors that influence and interact with their spatial needs and affective states.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Porcines

Keywords:Adaptation of the environment to the animal, Livestock buildings, Enrichment, Welfare indicators, Housing, Living environment, One Welfare, Resilience, Robustness, livestock farming system

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Review: Welfare in farm animals from an animal-centred point of view

Huber, K

Published in 2024

Scientific synthesis highlighting the anatomical and physiological alterations undergone by high-production livestock, leading to an imbalance between their natural capacities and the demands of industrial production. It calls for an ethical approach to animal welfare, focusing on their physiological limits, for more sustainable and respectful production.

Document Types: Scientific review

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

Keywords:Adaptation of the animal to the environment, Societal issues, Evolutionary processes, Resilience, Robustness

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