Subject: Health /Diseases

Is organic livestock farming more welfare-friendly than conventional livestock farming? – A systematic literature review in terms of animal health, welfare, and management

Wagner, K., March, S., Haager, D., Brinkmann, J.

Published in 2026

Meta-analysis showing that organic farming does not consistently have a more positive effect on animal welfare than conventional farming. The results would appear to indicate that  factors relating to management have a greater influence on animal welfare than the farming system itself.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal Categories: Cattle, Goats, Horses, Sheep, Pigs, All Animals, Poultry

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Bridging the Gap: A Comparative Analysis of Industry Approaches and Scientific Perspectives on Broiler Health and Welfare in Europe

Vonholdt-Wenker ML, Nofrarías M, Cerdà-Cuéllar M, Majó N, de Jong IC, and Malchow J

Published in 2026

Comparative analysis showing a strong alignment between the challenges identified by the BroilerNet project and the EFSA’s recommendations on broiler welfare. However, certain key measures — including reducing stocking densities, providing outdoor access, and the use of slower-growing genetics — were not identified as best practices in BroilerNet. 

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Poultry

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Motivational factors and financial incentives to mitigate tail biting in pig production in Finland

Väre M, Koskikallio H, Heinonen M, Tuominen-Brinkas M, Munsterhjelm C, Valros A, and Niemi JK

Published in 2026

Survey of Finnish pig farmers on measures intended to reduce tail-biting. With economic losses of up to approximately €32 per pig affected by tail-biting, the study shows that farmers are motivated in particular by financial incentives but also by a desire to improve animal welfare.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: Porcines

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A One Welfare perspective on calf health: a qualitative study of knowledge, attitudes, working conditions, working atmosphere, and communication among farmers and calf-care teams on large Saxon dairy farms

Douay--Ryckelynck M, Retzler P, Meier KK, Merle R, Müller K-E, Stock A, Jensen KC

Published in 2026

Study showing that working conditions, communication, and staff training can influence calf health. A positive work environment and effective communication within teams are associated with better health outcomes.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Bovines

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Country Consultation on AH&W Priorities and Challenges

SCAR Animal Health & Welfare Collaborative Working Group

Published in 2026

Survey carried out for the SCAR AH&W Group, identifying Member States'  top animal health and welfare research priorities for 2025–2026 . Among priorities identified are a “One Health” approach, disease prevention, welfare indicators, livestock systems, transport, aquaculture, genomic tools, and the impacts of climate change.

Document types: Technical Paper

Animal Categories: Fish, All Animals

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Music and animal welfare: from behavioral and physiological effects to potential applications in animal husbandry

Zhu G, Wang L, Wu Z, Feng L, Shao F

Published in 2026

Review examining the mechanisms of musical perception in animals and its effects on their behavior, physiology, and welfare. It highlights potential benefits, including stress reduction, and emphasizes the value of fish as models for studying the evolutionary basis of musical perception and improving animal welfare.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: All animals

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Multi-Behavior Recognition and Health Assessment of Laying Hens Using RSA YOLO in Welfare-Oriented Farming

Panqi Pu, Junge Wang, Yue Gao, Dapeng Li, Geqi Yan, Hongchao Jiao, Xianyao Li, Hai Lin

Published in 2026

Study on an automated system based on artificial intelligence that can recognize various behaviors in laying hens and assess their health status. The behavioral changes it detected occurred approximately one week before a decline in egg production, demonstrating the system’s potential as an early-warning tool.

Document Types: Scientific paper

Animal categories: 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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Invited Review: Precision Livestock Farming Technologies in Swine Intensive Production

Giovanni Buonaiuto, Eleonora Nannoni, Luca Sardi, Simona Belperio, Chris Sanzò, Giovanna Martelli

Published in 2026

Scientific synthesis of the use of precision farming technologies, including the use of sensors, automation, and artificial intelligence, to improve monitoring and management in pig farming. It focuses on technologies to monitor health, optimize feeding, control microclimates, and assess pig welfare. It sets out the benefits and limitations of these technologies for intensive pig farming.

Document Types: Scientific review

Animal categories: Porcines

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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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