INVITED REVIEW: Farm size and animal welfare

Area of Science:

• Agricultural Science
• Animal Welfare Studies
• Veterinary Medicine

Background:

• Concerns exist regarding the impact of agricultural intensification and increasing farm size on animal welfare.
• The transition from smaller to larger farms has been a focal point of debate concerning animal welfare standards.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically evaluate the existing evidence on the relationship between farm size and animal welfare indicators.
• To synthesize findings from over 150 publications to understand how farm size influences animal well-being.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of more than 150 scientific publications.
• Analysis of studies examining the correlation between farm size and various animal welfare indicators.
• Inclusion of data primarily from dairy cattle, with references to other farmed species.

Main Results:

• No consistent, simple relationship (positive or negative) was found between farm size and animal welfare.
• Larger farms present a dual effect: opportunities for enhanced professional animal health management but also risks, such as difficulties in providing outdoor access.
• Evidence suggests farm size alone is not a definitive predictor of animal welfare outcomes.

Conclusions:

• The impact of farm size on animal welfare is complex and multifaceted, not a straightforward negative correlation.
• Future research should focus on elucidating the causal mechanisms linking farm size and welfare indicators.
• Policy and advocacy efforts should prioritize welfare improvements on farms of all sizes, rather than solely focusing on farm size reduction.