Animal welfare assessment in intensive cattle production systems
Keywords:
animal welfare, cattle, intensive production, welfare assessment, Welfare QualityAbstract
Animal welfare is a fundamental component of the sustainability and efficiency of intensive cattle production systems because housing, management, feeding, health, and human–animal interactions influence the physical and emotional state of cattle. This systematic review aimed to analyse the available scientific evidence on animal welfare assessment in intensive cattle production systems by identifying the main methods, indicators, assessed dimensions, practical applications, and methodological challenges. Twenty scientific publications related to animal welfare, behaviour, stress, assessment indicators, and protocols applied to cattle were analysed. The information was organised according to welfare dimensions, types of indicators, assessment methods, applications in intensive production systems, and main limitations. The results showed that animal-based indicators, including body condition, injuries, lameness, behaviour, fear, and responses to handling, are fundamental tools for identifying the actual consequences of production conditions. Resource- and management-based indicators complement this information by assessing housing, feeding conditions, and management practices. The Welfare Quality protocol represents one of the main multidimensional systems used to integrate different welfare measures. However, challenges were identified concerning the heterogeneity of production systems, variability among indicators, difficulties in assessing emotional states, and the need for procedures that can be practically applied under commercial farming conditions. It is concluded that effective cattle welfare assessment requires the integration of physical, health-related, behavioural, and emotional indicators through standardised and practical protocols adapted to the specific characteristics of intensive production systems. The combination of different measures can improve problem identification and support management decisions aimed at promoting more sustainable and responsible cattle production systems.
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Conflicto de Intereses: Los autores declaran que no tienen conflictos de intereses relacionados con este estudio y que todos los procedimientos seguidos cumplen con los estándares éticos establecidos por la revista. Asimismo, confirman que este trabajo es inédito y no ha sido publicado, ni parcial ni totalmente, en ninguna otra publicación.
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