Review: A systematic review of dairy cow health, welfare, and behaviour in year-round loose range housing

Key Points

• Health indicators of dairy cows showed significant variation across different environmental conditions, emphasizing the importance of habitat quality.
• Key evidence revealed that cows in loose range housing systems exhibited improved welfare metrics compared to traditional housing setups.
• This systematic review analyzed a wide array of studies focusing on animal behaviour and welfare outcomes in diverse dairy farming environments.
• Understanding the relationship between housing type and cow welfare supports better management practices in dairy farming.