Genetic parameter estimates and genetic trends for cow longevity indicators in Holstein cattle based on different culling reasons and random regression models.

Sampling conditions affect immune cell viability and function in the Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis).

A mixed-corpus scientometric dataset of precision livestock farming publications and patents, 2006\u20132025

Although pregnant cows can be assigned an expected calving date, such forecasts remain imprecise due to individual physical and hormonal changes affecting cows' behaviour. Proper management during calving is crucial for the health of cows and calves. This study aimed to predict calving time based on behavioural symptoms in cows of two breeds: 38 Polish Holstein-Friesian (PHF) and 14 Brown Swiss cows from a single farm. Using CowManager sensors, the behaviour of the dairy cows was monitored 24h a day, with data from 3D accelerometers classified into specific activities (eating, ruminating, inactive, active, highly active). As the study was conducted on a single farm, the generalisability of the results to other herd management systems or environmental conditions may be limited. A preliminary graphical analysis identified changes in behaviour in the last hours before calving. Statistical analysis included the bootstrap method, logistic regression, and analysis of change points in the time series (separately for each cow and trait, for moving averages covering 6h). One-day periods were considered in the analysis, starting from 168h before calving. The daily period was shifted by 1h until 6h before calving. The applied methodology showed satisfactory effectiveness (recall of 81.03% and precision of 66.75% for PHF cows). Differences in precalving behaviour between breeds were observed. These findings indicate that sensor-based monitoring of behaviour can provide timely predictions of calving and highlight breed-specific behavioural differences, supporting farm management and animal welfare.

Biosecurity and animal welfare in broiler farms in Mezam division, Cameroon

Exposure to zearalenone (ZEN), an estrogen-like mycotoxin produced by Fusarium fungi, impairs reproductive performance and farm-animal welfare; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Using female pigs as the large animal model, we demonstrate that ZEN-induced reproductive lipotoxicity is associated with alterations in estrogen receptor-alpha (ERα) expression, diacylglycerol levels, and pro-inflammatory cytokine production. Mechanistically, upregulated ERα directly binds to the promoter regions of Cd36 and Tlr4 in the nucleus, leading to increased expression of the lipid transporter CD36 and the inflammatory receptor TLR4, as well as enhanced CD36-TLR4 interaction. This subsequently results in diacylglycerol accumulation and inflammation. Consistently, studies using Cd36-knockout mice and the TLR4-specific inhibitor TAK-242 reveal that ZEN-induced reproductive lipotoxicity is dependent on the ERα-CD36/TLR4 axis. Furthermore, dietary supplementation with the ZEN-degrading enzyme ZLHY-6 in female pigs also counteracts ZEN-induced reproductive lipotoxicity through the inhibition of the ERα-CD36/TLR4 signaling pathway. Together, these findings reveal a novel mechanism underlying ZEN-induced reproductive lipotoxicity, and highlight the ERα-CD36/TLR4 axis as a potential therapeutic target.

Animal welfare in farmed animals is increasingly being identified as an integral part of ethical meat production; yet in most developing nations, including Ghana, little attention is being paid to this area of interest. The demand for chicken meat and egg products in Ghana has also increased because of rapid urbanisation and development; hence, public perception of poultry welfare is paramount in policy formulation and development in Ghana. This study investigates public perception of poultry welfare in Ghana, particularly laying hen farming. The study used a cross-sectional study and surveyed 1275 respondents aged 17 and older in Accra, Kumasi, and Tamale by collecting data in-person, and the questionnaire was administered using tablets or mobile devices. The study found that 69.1% of respondents poorly perceived farmed animal welfare, while 30.9% positively perceived farmed animal welfare in Ghana. There was a significant difference in perception levels among respondents in Accra and Kumasi, and those in Tamale, where respondents in Tamale indicated a slightly positive perception compared to those in Accra and Kumasi. Furthermore, 53.7% of respondents supported state intervention in farmed animal welfare, while 52.0% showed reluctance to pay a premium price for cage-free and free-range egg production in Ghana.

Whole carcass condemnation data is regularly collected at abattoirs in some regions and presents a potential data source for animal welfare surveillance. This rapid scoping review aimed to characterize the body of research that has used condemnation data from abattoirs to investigate relationships between whole carcass condemnations and animal welfare, and identify gaps in the literature, with the secondary aim of considering the potential for condemnation data to be used in an animal welfare surveillance system. Peer-reviewed literature was searched using Scopus, and grey literature was searched using Google search. Following the screening process, 53 peer-reviewed records were identified. No grey literature records were identified. General study characteristics and data on the relationships (including associations and lack thereof) between animal welfare variables (which were categorized according to the following animal welfare factors: feeding, housing, health, behaviour, transport, and slaughter) and whole carcass condemnation reasons were extracted. We found that most research on this topic has been conducted in Europe (n = 41/53) and has focused on poultry (n = 29/53), particularly on broiler chickens (n = 21/53). In addition, most existing research focuses on understanding the relationship between on-farm health-related animal welfare factors and whole carcass condemnations, rather than other factors such as those related to feeding, housing, and behaviour, or during the transport and slaughter phases of the production chain. Gaps in the literature include research on cattle and small ruminants, and research on non-health-related animal welfare factors and how they relate to whole carcass condemnations. Overall, we found that condemnation data is a valuable secondary data source that can allow for the monitoring of large numbers of animals over long periods, and can contribute to animal welfare surveillance systems.

Stereotypic behaviors across species: From neurobiological mechanisms to farm animal welfare.

Justifications for farm practices and animal welfare among Norwegian livestock farmers

Recent and forthcoming bans on confinement systems for farmed animals highlight the growing societal and policy emphasis on improving welfare. In the United Kingdom, the proposed prohibition of enriched cages for laying hens represents a major step beyond existing European Union standards, reflecting both scientific evidence and public concern over the limitations of cage-based systems. While such reforms are indicative of farmed animal welfare gains domestically, experience from the EU ban on conventional cages indicates a critical policy gap: the absence of mechanisms to retire and decommission obsolete infrastructure allows housing systems to be resold or exported, potentially perpetuating welfare issues elsewhere. Similar patterns have emerged in pork production, where gestation and farrowing crates have been inconsistently phased out in different regions of the world, illustrating the broader consequences of neglecting infrastructure lifecycle management. This perspective is based on welfare reforms incorporating decommissioning of equipment to align ethical intent with material outcomes. Decommissioning approaches lead to incentivising or mandating the permanent removal of banned pork production physical infrastructure, mitigating economic risks for producers, and reducing cross-border exacerbation of welfare issues. Coordinated implementation across national, regional, and global locals is essential to maximise the pig welfare effectiveness of reforms. By integrating decommissioning provisions, policymakers can ensure that animal welfare improvements are substantive, credible, and globally effective.

Review: How do we measure welfare on farm? Indicators, proxies and gold standards.

Enteric methane emissions (EME) are the main source of anthropogenic GHG in the dairy industry. Certified food products, such as Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, are particularly interested in monitoring their environmental impact. To achieve this, a rapid, cost-effective method, applicable at the population level, is to estimate EME from predicted milk fatty acids obtained by milk mid-infrared spectroscopy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the variation in EME-derived traits according to dairy system and farm-level animal welfare indicators in farms belonging to the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium. The final dataset used for the analysis integrated milk test-day records, mid-infrared spectra, and farm animal welfare assessment data, resulting in 1,256,135 records from 174,180 cows on 940 multibreed dairy farms. Dairy systems were identified by clustering farms according to their common characteristics and practices. These included 2 traditional systems (one from the Apennine region and the other prevalent in the Po Plain) and 2 modern systems (both prevalent in the Po Plain, one with and the other without the use of TMR). This study analyzed different EME phenotypes, including methane emissions per day, emissions relative to kilograms of DMI, and emissions per unit of production (corrected milk, fresh cheese, and cheese solids). The effect of animal welfare and dairy systems on individual methane emissions was evaluated using mixed models. Three groups of farm-level welfare indicators were considered: management practices, housing structure and equipment, and animal-based measures. These indicators are part of the national animal welfare evaluation conducted by the Italian National Reference Center for Animal Welfare (CReNBA, Brescia, Italy). The results showed that the dairy system and the interaction between dairy system and breed affected all traits. The general trend was that modern dairy systems produced more grams of methane per day than traditional systems, but their emissions per unit of production were lower. Breed-related EME variations across dairy systems were especially notable in Reggiana cattle. The overall effect of the animal welfare on EME traits was minor compared with the dairy system or breed effects. Across the 5 EME traits analyzed, only 2 showed significant associations with management (methane expressed in g/d and relative to kg of DMI) and one with animal-based measures (methane production in g/d), whereas no effects were observed for structure and equipment. In light of these findings, producers of high-quality foodstuffs, such as Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, may take into account the impact of different sources of variation in EME in the process of selecting a suitable production system. The results of this study could be helpful in improving farm-level management, as well as in the development and implementation of breeding programs aimed at reducing the environmental impact of dairy farming.

Kidding in goats is a highly significant event with major economic implications and strong impacts on the welfare of both the offspring and the mothers. Monitoring the process is extremely demanding, as it is impossible to predict precisely when it will occur. For this reason, the automatic detection of kidding has the potential to generate substantial productivity gains while also improving animal well-being. Artificial intelligence techniques based on accelerometry data have been explored for identifying the event, but these approaches typically rely on data loggers, which cannot trigger real-time alerts or assistance. Embedding detection mechanisms directly into wearable devices enables much faster identification and supports energy-efficient operations. However, this approach also introduces considerable challenges, particularly due to the strict constraints of wearable devices in terms of weight, cost, and battery life. The present work documents the development of a real-time, automatic kidding-detection mechanism in which the detection workload is distributed between the collar and an edge device. System evaluation demonstrated the feasibility of this distributed architecture, confirming that both components can cooperate effectively to achieve reliable detection. The system achieved a Matthews Correlation Coefficient performance of 0.91, highlighting the robustness and practical viability of the proposed solution.

The animal microbiome plays a crucial role in determining the health, productivity, and welfare of livestock species, including sheep, horses, cattle, camel, and chicken. These animal species were selected due to the high consumption of their products in Kazakhstan. Enhancing their productivity, while maintaining the safety and quality of meat and milk derived from them, represents a pressing research priority. This review article includes current research on the composition, diversity, and purposes of the microbiota found within different organ systems of these species. This study focuses on recent advancements in sequencing technology, including metagenomics, 16S rRNA sequencing, and multiomic methods, to combine data on microbial diversity, composition, and functionality within the gastrointestinal tract and other organs. The key findings show differences in microbial communities associated with breed, age, and diet, the impact of microbiota on methane emissions and feed efficiency in ruminants, and the possibility of using microbiome management techniques (e.g., probiotics, prebiotics, and feed additives) to enhance livestock production. The microbiome influences various species, extending its effects beyond digestion and immunity to reproductive health and behavior. Despite advancements, translating microbiome data into actionable interventions is interfered by variability resulting from genetic, environmental, and management factors. Integrating microbiome research more closely with animal genetics and livestock production methods could lead to innovative approaches for improving the health, efficiency, and welfare of farm animals, ultimately supporting sustainable livestock farming practices.

Abstract While current discussions of insect production emphasize sustainability benefits, research on consumer attitudes toward livestock production reveals that animal welfare concerns often equal or exceed environmental considerations in purchasing decisions. This article examines trends in consumer attitudes toward farm animal welfare in North America and Europe to anticipate potential challenges to the emerging insect industry’s social license to operate and then applies those trends to black soldier fly production. The analysis suggests that as public awareness grows, welfare concerns will likely emerge as a determinant of industry acceptance. Proactively addressing the most emotionally salient welfare issues—particularly those involving visible suffering or perceived unnaturalness—represents a strategic investment in maintaining consumer trust.

The Welfare Quality® (WQ®) protocols are broadly implemented for monitoring farm animal welfare and certification purposes. However, they represent a single snapshot in time, demand a significant amount of time for execution, appraise only a subset of the animals, and to achieve high repeatability among assessors, they must be continuously trained. In growing pigs, the dynamic nature of physiological and behavioural changes during the production cycle may affect the consistency of monitoring over time and thus the reliability of the method. Hence, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the temporal variability of principles, criteria and measures of the WQ® protocol in growing pigs, and the intra-farm (between buildings) variability of selected measures. The full WQ® protocol was applied every two weeks during the fattening period in two separate buildings of the same farm by the same two trained assessors (seven and eight visits respectively). A descriptive temporal analysis was conducted, and the relation of measures was explored using Spearman's correlation. Intra-farm variability of selected measures was assessed for each visit using a permutation test for independence. Certain variability in some measures, criteria and principles was observed depending on the timing of the assessment during the growing period. The "good housing" principle was the most fluctuating variable over time, due to the substantial downward trend of the scores of both the "comfort around resting" and "ease of movement" criteria. Although the "good health" principle was the most stable in terms of absolute score, the categorization changed in one assessment in one of the studied buildings. Both "good feeding" and "appropriate behaviour" remained stable in their categorization. More variability was observed at the criteria and measure levels. In terms of intra-farm variability, measures from four conditions were significantly different, in at least one visit, being the "fear of humans" measure the most frequently variable. This study highlighted the possible differences that may arise in WQ® scoring depending on the time of the assessment during a growing period. The temporal dynamics and intra-farm variability of this protocol outcomes warrant further investigation to improve the reliability of welfare monitoring protocols.

Farm animal welfare has become a main concern in global livestock production, often shaped by standards and expectations developed in high-income countries. Even though these standards are very important from both moral and scientific perspectives, they are impractical to be directly implemented in the economic setup of developing nations like Sri Lanka. Livestock production in Sri Lanka is predominantly smallholder-based, resource-limited, and closely integrated with rural livelihoods, food security, and cultural practices. Hence, welfare concerns frequently arise from structural constraints such as limited access to capital, quality feed, housing, veterinary services, and climate-resilient infrastructure rather than from deliberate neglect. This editorial examines animal welfare in Sri Lanka through balancing idealism with practicality. Evidence from local production systems suggests that low-cost interventions, including improved housing design, better hygiene, adequate water provision, timely disease prevention, and humane handling, can substantially enhance both animal well-being and productivity. Such measures are often more feasible and impactful than the immediate adoption of resource-intensive welfare standards.

Noise pollution represents a significant environmental stressor that compromises the health and welfare of farm animals. While music enrichment has been suggested to mitigate stress, the specific mechanisms by which it protects against noise-induced immune damage remain poorly understood. This study investigated whether music can mitigate acute noise-induced injury to the bursa of Fabricius in broilers. A total of 175 male Arbor Acres broilers were randomly allocated into four groups: Control (C), Noise (N), Noise plus Music (NM), and Music (M). Starting on day 14, groups N and NM were exposed to daily acute noise exposure (115–120 dB for10 min), while groups NM and M received daily 6-h Mozart’s K.448 music enrichment. We evaluated the effects of short-term (by day 21) and long-term (by day 42) music intervention. Results showed that acute noise induced significant histopathological damage, oxidative stress, and apoptosis in the bursa. While short-term music intervention showed limited efficacy, prolonged music exposure significantly attenuated these injuries. Mechanistically, music suppressed the noise-activated NF-κB signaling pathway and reduced inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α). Concurrently, it inhibited mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis by modulating Bcl-2, Bax, Cyt-C, and Caspase-3. These findings provide experimental evidence that long-term music enrichment effectively alleviates noise-induced immune injury, suggesting a practical strategy for improving poultry welfare.

The paper examines the welfare of farm animals as an integral ethical component of the professional activity of veterinarians. The study analyzes the current challenges of intensive livestock production associated with the pursuit of maximum productivity, which increases the risks of health disorders, behavioral deviations, and chronic stress in animals. Based on the analysis of European Union regulatory acts, particularly the Animal Welfare Strategy and the “Farm to Fork” program, the key directions for developing humane animal welfare policy are summarized. It is determined that effective animal welfare assurance is possible only through the integration of ethical, biosafety, and technological approaches. The professional role of veterinarians is shown to extend beyond traditional clinical functions and include managerial, advisory, and educational activities. Veterinarians act as guarantors of compliance with legal standards, initiators of ethical dialogue with farmers, and promoters of humanistic values in livestock practice. The dual nature of their participation is outlined – regulatory-control and ethical-orientational. It is substantiated that the veterinarian’s ethical competence involves the ability to make decisions that balance the economic interests of the enterprise with animal welfare. At the core of veterinary ethics lies the understanding of the animal as a sentient being with individual needs and emotions. The importance of developing an ethical culture in veterinary education, creating welfare assessment protocols in line with European Welfare Quality standards, and implementing systematic welfare audits is emphasized. Therefore, animal welfare is not a secondary aspect but a key condition for the sustainable development of livestock production, combining legal, scientific, and moral foundations. Ethically motivated actions of veterinarians create a balance between production efficiency, animal welfare, and social responsibility, promoting the harmonization of veterinary practice with European values and standards.