SAES-422 Multistate Research Activity Accomplishments Report

Sections

Status: Approved

Basic Information

Participants

In person: Jackson Gross (UC-Davis), Chris Byrd (North Dakota State University) Cassandra Tucker (UC-Davis), Maja Makagon (UC-Davis), Richard Blatchford (UC-Davis), Carly Moody (UC-Davis), Heather Neave (Purdue), Blair Downey (University of Tennessee), Dianna Bourassa (Auburn) Virtual: Janice Siegford (Michigan State University), Monique Udell (Oregon State University), Leonie Jacobs (Virginia Tech University),

NC1029: Applied Animal Welfare and Behavior - Annual Meeting

Universit of California-Davis, Davis, California; September 9th, 2025

Meeting Minutes:

1. Meeting attendee welcome and overview of meeting agenda - Jackson Gross

2. Station Reports - Each in-person and online meeting attendee provided a 10-15 min. NC1029- related research/program presentation

3. Lunch at meeting venue.

4. Discussion on Future of NC1029.

  1. Discussion on whether NC1029 should continue. Historically, NC1029 members have played a critical role in advancing animal welfare research, generating new knowlege, and engaging with stakeholders to provide expertise and identify areas of need. Members communicated a desire for NC1029 to continue. However, changes to NC1029 objectives/outputs should be made to facilitate greater collaboration between members not at the same institution. This can be accomplished during the NC1029 rewrite period (see b. below)
  2. NC1029 is up for a rewrite in 2026. Chris Byrd will assume chair position and lead rewrite process. Chris emphasized the need for an organized process. Jackson Gross reviewed requirements for rewrite process. Chris will seek 3-4 volunteers to serve as an ad hoc "rewrite committee" and help guide the rewrite process. However, input from all members will be needed. 
  3. Members held a lengthy discussion on NC1029 objectives and potential outputs that could be incorporated into the NC1029 rewrite to improve collaboration among members in ways other than traditional grants and publications. Multi-institution research grants are still encouraged but increasingly difficult to obtain given available funding amounts per award and increased costs for research across institutions. Therefore, other outputs that would meet NC1029 objectives were discussed. These are included in the rewritten NC1029 proposal.

5. Annual 2026 Meeting Discussion

  1. Chris Byrd will serve as chair for 2026 meeting. Chris will seek a hybrid meeting option to be held at a relevant time in 2026. The in-person meeting option will likely be Fargo, ND unless in conjunction with a relevant scientific meeting.

6. NC1029 Secretary Election

  1. No secretary nominations were made. Committee members decided to hold online election for secretary.

7. Meeting Adjourned. On Wednesday, September 10th, Jackson Gross led a Stuergeon farm tour and caviar tasting.

 

 

 

Accomplishments

NC1029 continues to be an effective multi-state project that generates and disseminates essential animal welfare information to livestock stakeholders. Our members play a major role in advancing animal welfare knowledge and scientific assessment standards through their research, cooperative extension work, and teaching duties. Evidence of this work can be found in the "Impact Statements" and  "Publications" portions of this annual report. In the next year, and in alignment with our currently anticipated milestone for 2026, the committee will complete the renewal process for project continuation through 2031. The project renewal will broaden the project objectives and identify effective mechanisms for increased collaboration among NC1029 members.

Impacts

  1. University of Arkansas (NC1029 Objectives 1 and 2): Animal welfare is affected by a complex interplay of external environmental factors and physiological responses, many of which are recognized within the animal agriculture industry but remain underexplored in scientific literature. Our research focuses on bridging these gaps by evaluating both emerging and established genetics, resource strategies, and husbandry practices that influence animal welfare. Through this work, we aim to generate actionable evidence that advances animal care standards and sustainable agricultural systems.
  2. Auburn University (NC1029 Objective 1): Dr. Baker-Cook has completed research defining behavioral development and sequences in early-life for chicks and turkeys. Overall, chick age and time of day influenced the frequency of behavioral disturbances during the first week of life. Additionally, the type of behavior performed pre-disturbance did affect the likelihood of returning to that behavior. These findings highlight the potential impact of environmental novelty post-placement and chick diurnal activity during early-life have on disturbance frequency, and how the function of behaviors influence their return post-disturbance. • Dr. Baker-Cook evaluated the impact of multiple exposures and movement on the fear response in poultry. Overall, the repeated exposure of birds to fear tests reduced the bird's fear response, both for the repeated exposure to different fear tests on a single day and the repeated exposure to one type of fear test over the length of a flock. This impact of repeated exposure is important to recognize when designing experiments that utilize fear tests. • Dr. Bourassa and Dr. Baker-Cook collaborated on a study evaluating the combined impact of lairage temperatures and carbon dioxide controlled atmosphere stunning time on broiler blood metabolites. Understanding the implications of these results can lead to a better understanding of how lairage conditions and CAS can impact poultry physiology and broiler blood metabolites potentially improving lairage environments and CAS systems to optimize broiler welfare.
  3. Iowa State University (NC1029 Objectives 1 and 2): Impact from this work provides valuable information regarding the value of novel enrichment creations in improving the survivability and welfare of neonatal piglets and lactating sows. These proof-of-concept studies provide a solid framework for future enrichment work. The research team fully expect that future discussion centered around implementation of environmental enrichment in commercial swine facilities will occur, as enrichment, when properly and thoughtfully applied, provides a simple and effective method of improving the health and welfare of animals.
  4. Michigan State University (NC1029 Objectives 1 and 2): Data continue to be analyzed from a NIFA AFRI funded project that examined impact of aviary style and management strategies on reducing floor eggs. ~5,000 brown, cage-free laying hens were housed in two different styles of aviary combined with floor walking, a robot running in litter, or partially enclosing hens into the tiers. This NIFA grant to Clemson (A. Ali), Michigan State (J. Siegford), and Guelph (T. Widowski) along with two additional grants from the Michigan Alliance for Animal Agriculture to J. Siegford and D. Morris (both MSU) with A. Ali (Clemson) collaborating on both will provide practical information to producers seeking to efficiently manage cage-free systems while protecting hen welfare. Data related to egg quality were presented at two meetings of the International Society for Applied Ethology (North American Regional, May 2025 and International, August 2025). The open aviary style led to higher productivity, fewer floor eggs, lower mortality, and slightly higher feed consumption but did not impact egg quality, hen weight or most measures of fear. Hen activity was not affected by system alone but declined with age. Hens with continuous access to litter wing flap less and show less of a daily pattern compared to hens that are kept off the litter in the morning hours. Hens in both systems show declines in play behavior with age and very little play is observed after 21 weeks of age. Two Master’s students (X. Ma and K. Baugh), one PhD student (Y. Long), one postdoc (V. Bongiorno), and two undergraduates (S. Johnson, P. Gyamafi) at MSU were researchers on the cage-free laying hen projects and gained experience conducting research, analyzing data, presenting their findings and collaborating with colleagues at Clemson and Guelph. The MS and PhD students recently graduated and various pieces of their work have been published or are under review.
  5. University of Nebraska - Lincoln (NC1029 Objective 1): In utero heat stress affects an estimated 66 million piglets annually. Developing boars exposed to IUHS have reduced semen quality, compromising productivity of the swine industry. In collaboration with the Purdue University and University of Missouri-Columbia NC1029 stations, we have begun to elucidate the biological consequences of IUHS on boar development and later fertility. In the last year, results have been disseminated through 4 invited talks, 1 oral presentation, and 3 poster presentations at R1 institutions as well as regional and national/international scientific meetings. In addition, this project has fostered the training of a PhD student, research technician, five undergraduates, and a veterinary student. This work lays the foundation for genomic strategies to improve boar fertility, with long-term benefits for U.S. swine producers and food security.
  6. North Dakota State University (NC1029 Objective 1): My laboratory continues to focus on developing physiological stress measures and evaluating methods for mitigating stress on farm. We are currently determining whether ultra-short HRV recordings are appropriate for use with sows housed individually and in groups. We are studying leukocyte coping capacity (LCC) as a potential rapid measure of swine physiological stress. Other ongoing studies include the development of oleic-acid-containing oleogels for reducing pain and improving wound healing in piglets following surgical castration, and the effect of air quality on physiological and behavioral measures used to detect swine stress.
  7. Oregon State University (NC1029 Objectives 1 and 2): This year I have continued work on dog, cat and sheep behavior and attachment assessments (conspecific and intraspecific) and the impact of social bonds on stress and welfare. I have continued to engage in several research projects looking at domestic cat stress, welfare, care practices (including a MS project by Amanda Puitza). This includes work on human-animal interaction quality and the effects on stress resilience in animals. This work has included collaborations with researchers at Purdue University (Dr. Candace Croney’s lab). I have continued work in human perception of animal behavior and welfare, evaluating how human emotions, beliefs and contextual factors may influence perception of animal behavior and welfare. This work is critical to understanding how external factors may influence welfare and behavior assessments (both formal and informal) that rely on human perception or caretaker reports. We have begun work developing and validating a new stress assessment that aims to be user friendly and a robust predictor of chronic and situation stress in animals. The initial survey and validation will focus on dogs, but we have plans to expand to other species in the future. This work will be part of a PhD thesis by a student in my lab (Alisa Tananaeva).
  8. Purdue University (NC1029 Objectives 1 and 2): Over the past year, our research team has published several papers, presentations and workshops associated with advancing the NC1029 objectives: • Identifying novel traits associated with livestock resilience and welfare. We completed data collection to identify new traits associated with behavior, walking ability and skeletal health of turkeys in relation to environmental enrichment, and completed live animal trials for identifying characteristics associated with resilience and parasite resistance. • Developing and applying methodologies for assessment of emotional state: Published a symposium review on how to measure the mental states of dairy cattle, integrating cognitive, behavioral, and physiological approaches. Also published a review on cognition of dairy cattle and its implications for animal welfare and dairy science. Co-authored a presentation on evaluating positive affective states in dairy cattle. • Developing and validating indicators of positive animal welfare: Led graduate student projects resulting in oral and poster presentations at ADSA and ISAE, including validation of ear posture as a positive welfare indicator and exploration of grooming as a novel behavioral measure. Led animal industry and global food corporation education efforts on improving farm animal welfare audits through inclusion of positive welfare states for greater scientific and social relevance. • Applying animal personality to management practices: Co-authored an invited review on phenotyping strategies in dairy cattle and several articles on personality traits and their applications for calves, cows, and piglets. Co-authored poster presentations on how personality influence sickness behavior in calves, and behavior of dairy-beef cross calves. • Refining calf weaning methods: Lead author of an invited review on weaning practices in ruminants and welfare implications. Co-authored an invited systematic review on the effects of weaning methods on calf behavior, welfare, and health, with emphasis on individualized weaning strategies supported by automated milk feeders. Co-authored poster presentation on weaning age in dairy-beef cross calves. • Advancing cow–calf contact systems: Co-authored an invited review outlining future directions for cow–calf contact research and sustainable on-farm application, and published empirical studies applying emotional, behavioral, and physiological measures in these systems. • Exploring early illness detection in calves: Co-authored research and presentations showing how personality traits shape the expression of sickness behaviors, and how early behavioral changes can be used to inform treatment before clinical diagnosis. • Examining feeding behavior and welfare impacts of novel diets: Secured funding (Purdue AgSEED) to investigate the impact of methane-reducing diets on dairy cow feeding behavior and emotional states. • Advancing sensor technologies for breeding and welfare: We conducted the research and published a comprehensive review on how digital tools such as activity trackers, robotic milkers, and feeders generate data that can be used for improving animal health, welfare, and resilience. We highlighted barriers to the integration of sensor data into breeding programs (lack of standards, data access/ownership) and provided a roadmap for international collaborations. • Genetics of robotic milking behaviors: We analyzed data from over 5,600 cows to identify heritable behavioral traits such as milking time, robot visits, success rates, and consistency. We demonstrated potential to select cows not only for production but also for efficiency and welfare traits that reduce stress and labor demands. • AI-based facial phenotyping for welfare: We tested computer vision models for detecting facial features in Holstein calves. A 10-keypoint model outperformed others, reliably capturing nostril distance, eye opening, and ear posture. We demonstrated strong potential for early, automated detection of welfare issues. • Purdue Animal Science Data Ecosystem (PASDE): Together with collaborators, we developed a digital infrastructure to integrate on-farm records, sensor data, and genomic data. This tool provides a collaborative resource for researchers, students, and industry to study complex traits like welfare and resilience. Collectively, these outputs strengthen the scientific basis for welfare assessment and management of livestock and poultry by providing validated indicators, exploring novel methodologies, and linking welfare outcomes to both producer practices and sustainability priorities. We have shared the results with stakeholders at various meetings.
  9. University of Tennessee, Knoxville (NC1029 Objectives 1 and 2): Dairy cattle are often raised in environments that restrict their social and foraging opportunities, leading to abnormal repetitive behaviors. In the last year, I have continued collaborations with UC Davis (Cassandra Tucker) evaluating prevalence and consistency in abnormal behavior performance at both an individual- and group-level, particularly in relation to breed. Jerseys, the second most popular dairy breed in the US, are often anecdotally described as performing more abnormal behaviors than Holstein, the most common breed, but scientific evidence of this has been missing prior to these ongoing collaborations. We found that Jerseys perform more of some oral behaviors, like tongue rolling, than Holsteins, but abnormal behaviors are prevalent across populations, performed by almost all individuals. We also generated novel insights into the importance of biologically relevant, robust sampling methodology in capturing some of these behaviors. Animal behavior research is strengthened by robust, reliable data collection. To this end, I produced a website documenting best practices for reliability in animal-based research in collaboration with UC Davis (Cassandra Tucker, Carly Moody) and UW-Madison (Jennifer Van Os, Sarah Adcock), which we also presented internationally as a workshop offering.
  10. Texas A&M University (NC1029 Objectives 1 and 2): Dr. Archer is investigating management methods to reduce heat stress in poultry. Dr. Daigle is looking for dairy cows that can take the heat without skipping a beat.
  11. University of Wisconsin-Madison (NC1029 Objectives 1 and 2): Primary NC1029 research in the Adcock lab focused on tail docking in sheep. With support from a USDA Hatch grant, former PhD student Dr. Jocelyn Woods completed her dissertation on the long-term welfare implications of rubber ring docking. This research provided some of the first extended evidence on how neonatal tail docking affects sheep welfare and behavior. We found that tail wounds took an average of six weeks to heal and were frequently infected, raising welfare concerns. Although maternal behavior was unaffected, docked ewes showed reduced sexual attractivity and receptivity compared to their undocked twins, suggesting possible reproductive consequences. We also identified neuroma-like formations in docked lambs’ tail stumps, indicating the potential for long-lasting changes in pain sensitivity. Building on this work, we launched a USDA NIFA–funded trial at the UW–Madison Arlington Sheep Unit (Feb–May 2025) with 60 twin lambs to investigate hot-iron docking. Twins were randomly assigned to tail docking within 48 hours of birth or at five weeks of age. Lambs were weaned at eight weeks and monitored from birth through one week post-weaning. Data collected included continuous location tracking using Noldus TrackLab collars to capture ewe–lamb and lamb–lamb interactions, daily video recordings, body weights, weekly wound photographs to assess healing, and weekly algometer tests to measure wound sensitivity. Data analysis is ongoing; social network analyses of the tracking data will be conducted in the next reporting period, and results are not yet available. The Van Os lab began to collect data to generate new knowledge on the impacts of social rearing on the welfare of pre-weaned dairy calves. This research funded by a USDA multidisciplinary Hatch comprises the dissertation work of Dr. Yoonsuk Lee, DVM, a PhD student in the Van Os lab. We are comparing pair-housing to the status quo industry practice of individual housing and measuring novel indicators of microbiome development, novel physiological stress responses to weaning and transport, as well as feed intake, growth, and oral behaviors.

Grants, Contracts & Other Resources Obtained

Publications

Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles

Abraham, M., C. I. Robison, P. B. S. Serpa, N. J. Strandberg, M. A. Erasmus, G. S. Fraley, G. F. Erf and D. M. Karcher. 2024. Cage-free pullets minimally affected by stocking density stressors. Animals (Basel). 14: 1513. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14101513

Ajibola, G., V. Kilders and M. A. Erasmus. 2024. A peep into the future: artificial intelligence for on-farm poultry welfare monitoring. Anim. Front. https://doi.org/10.1093/af/vfae031

Anderson, G., Johnson, A., Arguelles-Ramos, M., & Ali, A. (2025). Impact of body-worn sensors on broiler chicken behavior and agonistic interactions. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 28(1), 1–10. Taylor & Francis.

Araujo, A.C., Johnson, J.S., Graham, J.R., Howard, J., Huang, Y., Oliveira, H.R. and Brito, L.F., 2025. Transgenerational epigenetic heritability for growth, body composition, and reproductive traits in Landrace pigs. Front. Genet., 15, p.1526473. https://doi.org/10.3389/fgene.2024.1526473

Bérat, H., Gengler, N., Maskal, J.M., Boerman, J.P. and Brito, L.F., 2025. Investigating the genetic background of novel behavioral indicators of robotic milking efficiency in North American Holstein cattle. J. Dairy Sci. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2024-25597

Boerman, J.P., Brito, L.F., Montes, M.E., Maskal, J.M., Doucette, J. and Kalbaugh, K., 2025. Data processing techniques to improve data integration from dairy farms. JDS Commun., 6(3), 339-344. https://doi.org/10.3168/jdsc.2024-0723

Brauns, M.; Ali, A.; Berger, J.; McLean, A. Physiological and Behavioral Responses of Stabled Horses (Equus caballus) to Three Types of Environmental Enrichment. Animals2025, 15, 2779. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15192779

Brito L.F., B. Heringstad, I. C. Klaas, K. Schodl, V. E. Cabrera, A. Stygar, M. Iwersen, M. J. Haskell, K. F. Stock, N. Gengler, J. Bewley, M. Hostens, E. Vasseur, C. Egger-Danner. 2025. INVITED REVIEW: Using data from sensors and other precision farming technologies to enhance the sustainability of dairy cattle breeding programs. J. Dairy Sci. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2025-26554

Bučková, K., A. M. Newgard, L. J. Tomko, K. M. Arnold, and A. K. Johnson. 2025. Effects of piglet enrichment on sow skin lesions and behavior before and after tail-docking and castration. Frontiers in Ethology. DOI: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fetho.2025.1607722 Impact Factor 3.7.

Byrd, M.K.H., Wen, H., Freitas, P.H., Byrd, J.L., Tiezzi, F., Maltecca, C., Huang, Y., DeDecker, A., Schinckel, A.P., Brito, L.F. and Johnson, J.S., 2025. Phenotypic assessment of F0 generation lactating sows genomically selected for heat stress tolerance. J. Animal Sci., 103, p.skaf205. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaf205

Clark, A. J., Harrison, C., Bragg, A. J., House, G. M., Stephan, A. B., Arguelles-Ramos, M., & Ali, A. (2024). Effect of interrupting the daily scotophase period on laying hen performance, bone health, behavior, and welfare; Part I: Bone health. Poultry, 3(4).

Costner, J., Clark, A., & Ali, A. (2025). Influence of exercise opportunities on bone health in laying hens. Animals, 15(1). MDPI.

Domel, J.R., G.S. Archer. 2025. Effect of Exposing Layer Chicken Embryos to Continuous Green Light During Incubation and Vaccination Method on Early Life Basal Stress and Humoral Immune Response.  Poultry.  4:36. https://doi.org/10.3390/poultry4030036

Grebey TG, Bongiorno VP, Han JG, Steibel J, Siegford J. 2025. Maximum vertical height during wing flapping of laying hens captured with a depth camera. PLOS ONE, 20(3):e0312656. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0312656.

Grimes, M., E. Jiral, A. LeBlanc, J. Rocha, G.S. Archer. 2025.  Comparison of Application Rate of Three Commercial Litter Amendment Products on Litter pH, Ammonia Volatilization, and Broiler Paw Scores During the Brooding Period.  JAPR.  34:100565  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.japr.2025.100565

Holquinn, J. A., H. L. Sutherland, E. R. Sculley, M. A. Erasmus, L. F. Brito and A. C. Murillo. 2024. How mites influence cage-free egg production in the United States, mite management strategies, and the mitigating role of genomic selection. Anim. Front. 14: 24-31. https://doi.org/10.1093/af/vfae023

Huisman, A. E., F. E. M. J. Buitenhuis, B. A. M. van Arendonk, T. S. E. D. van der Waaij, and L. F. Brito. 2024. Estimation of genetic parameters for mastitis resistance and udder health in dairy cattle using sensor-derived data. Journal of Dairy Science 107(12): 7558–7572. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2024-24519.

Jackson, A., D. Landers, D.V. Bourassa, J. Purswell, and B.I. Baker-Cook. 2025. Characterizing the development of normal behaviors in broiler chicks during early life. Poult. Sci. 104:105436. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2025.105436

Jackson, A., D. Landers, J. Purswell, and B.I. Baker-Cook. 2025. Research note: Assessing disturbance and its impact on behavior in the early-life of broiler chicks. Poult. Sci. 104:105355. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2025.105355

Jackson, A., M. Quino, A. Gautam, M. Gilpin, K. Still, D. Landers, and B.I. Baker-Cook. 2025. The impact of multiple exposures and movement on the fear response of poultry. Poult. Sci. 104:104594. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2024.104594

Jones, J., Ali, A., Harrison, C., & Rimoldi, G. (2025). Radiographic, computed tomographic, and histologic characteristics of bone for clinically normal laying hens in a free‐range housing system. Veterinary Radiology & Ultrasound, 66(1), e13443. Wiley.

Kern, J., M. W. Jorgensen, J. P. Boerman, M. Erasmus, J. S. Johnson and J. A. Pempek. 2024. Effect of repeated HPA axis stimulation on hair cortisol concentration, growth, and behavior in preweaned dairy cattle. J. Anim. Sci. 102, 2024, skae171, https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skae171

Kern, J., M. W. Jorgensen, J. P. Boerman, M. Erasmus, J. S. Johnson and J. A. Pempek. 2025. Differences in colostrum management and transfer of passive immunity between purebred dairy and dairy × beef crossbred calves in Indiana and Michigan. Transl. Anim. Sci. txaf062. https://doi.org/10.1093/tas/txaf062

Klassen, K., J. A. Pempek, B. T. Richert, K. M. Horback, K. R. Stewart, J. N. Marchant and M. A. Erasmus. Impact of farrowing crate enrichment strategies on the welfare and performance of sows, suckling piglets, and post-weaned piglets. J. Anim. Sci. In press.

Linhoss, J.E., O.B. Falana, J.D. Davis, J.L. Purswell, C.M. Edge, H.A. Olanrewaju, B.I. Baker-Cook, and C. 2025. Hanlon. An updated review on the effect of lighting on broilers and the environment of commercial houses. World’s Poultry Science Journal. 81:373-401. https://doi.org/10.1080/00439339.2024.2446298

McMillian, Z., J. Moyle, G. Martin, A. Magnaterra, A. Snyder, and S. Weimer. 2025. Effects of circulation fans on broiler welfare indicators in commercial houses during cold seasons. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science. DOI: 10.1080/10888705.2025.2464560.

Mullim, H., R. Hernandez, R. Vanderhout, X. Bai, O. Willems, P. Regmi. M. Erasmus and L. Brito. 2024. Genetic background of walking ability and its relationship with leg defects, mortality, and performance traits in turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo). Poult. Sci. 103779. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psj.2024.103779.

Nakamura, G.K., I.C. Bez, B.S. Souza, H.W. Neave, L.B. Costa, and R.R. Daros. 2025. Assessing Pig Personality in the Home Pen: A Novel Laser Test. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 292: 106777.

Neary, J. M., Ali, A. B. A., & Jacobs, L. (2024). Application of an attention bias test after surgical castration in piglets. Livestock Science, 290, Elsevier.

Neave, H.W. Symposium Review: Measuring minds: Understanding the mental states of dairy cattle in different management conditions. JDS Comm. (in press)

Neave, H.W., J.L. Rault, E.H. Jensen, and M.B. Jensen. 2024. Oxytocin response of dairy cows to nursing and permanent separation from their calves, and the influence of the cow-calf bond. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 281: 106429.

Neave, H.W.,  G. Zobel, S. McCoard, and J.H.C. Costa. 2025. Invited Review: Improving the welfare of ruminants around weaning: Transitioning from milk to a solid diet. Vet. Clinics: Food Animal Practice. (accepted)

Oliveira, H. R., A. R. E. Cánovas, R. M. F. C. R. Silva, and L. F. Brito. 2025. Unraveling genomic regions with transmission ratio distortion harboring putative lethal alleles and their biological implications in Nellore cattle from experimental selection lines. Genetics Selection Evolution 57(1): 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12702-024-00465-3

Oliveira, H. R., F. J. Peñagaricano, and L. F. Brito. 2024. Invited review: Phenotyping strategies and genetic background of dairy cattle behavior in intensive production systems – from trait definition to genomic selection. Journal of Dairy Science 107(1): 1–17. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2023-23908.

Oliveira, L.F., R. Veroneze, L.F. Benfica, A.C. Araujo, Y. Huang, J.S. Johnson, L.F. Brito. Genome-wide detection of copy number variation and association studies with physiological and anatomical indicators of heat stress response in lactating sows. J. Animal Breed. Genet. https://doi.org/10.1111/jbg.70009

Oyeniran, V. J., R. H. Whittle, S. Orlowski, and S. L. Weimer. 2025 Judgement bias, fear, and stress responses of Red Junglefowl and Athens Canadian Random Bred Chickens. Frontiers in Animal Science. 6: DOI: 10.3389/fanim.2025.1573847.

Pacheo, H.A., R.O. Hernandez, S. Chen, H.W. Neave, J.A. Pempek, and L. Brito. 2024. Invited Review: Phenotyping strategies and genetic background of dairy cattle behavior in intensive production systems – from trait definition to genomic selection. J. Dairy Sci. 108: 6 - 32.

Perretti, A., V. J. Oyeniran, J. M. Cherry, R. H. Whittle, Z. Grider, A. H. Nelson, S. W. Kang, G. F. Erf, and S. L. Weimer. 2025. Effects of light wavelength on broiler performance, blood cell profiles, stress levels, and tibiotarsi morphology. Animals. 15:2372. DOI: 10.3390.ani15162372.

Pinto, L.F., Lewis, R.M., Rocha, A.O., Freking, B.A., Murphy, T.W., Wilson, C.S., Nilson, S.M., Burke, J.M. and Brito, L.F., Genome-wide association and functional annotation analyses reveal candidate genes and pathways associated with various ewe longevity indicators in US Katahdin sheep. Front. Genet., 16, p.1600587. doi:10.3389/fgene.2025.1600587

Pinto, L.F., Lewis, R.M., Rocha, A.O., Freking, B.A., Wilson, C.S., Murphy, T.W., Nilson, S.M., Burke, J.M. and Brito, L.F., 2025. Estimation of genetic parameters and genetic trends for ewe longevity indicators in US Katahdin sheep. J. Animal Sci., p.skaf125. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skaf125

Proudfoot, K., T. Ede, C. Ryan, and H.W. Neave*. 2025. Invited Review: Cognition of dairy cattle: Implications for animal welfare and dairy science. JDS Comm. (in review)

Rasmussen, S. N., K. E. Wurtz, M. Erasmus and A. B. Riber. 2024. Animal-based methods for the assessment of broiler chicken welfare in organic and conventional production systems. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 10633. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2024.106300.

Rasmussen, S., H. Yoder, M. Erasmus and A. B. Riber. 2024. Influence of space availability on measures of fear in conventional broiler chickens. Appl. Anim. Behav. Sci. 106216. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2024.106216.

Schwanke, A., K. Dancy, H.W. Neave, G. Penner, R. Bergeron, and T. DeVries. 2024. Effect of dairy cow personality traits and concentrate allowance on their response to training and adaptation to an automated milking system. J. Dairy Sci. 107: 11446 – 11462.

Silva Neto, J.B., L.F. Brito, L.F.M. Mota, M.R.G. Silva, G.R.D. Rodrigues, F. Baldi. 2025. Exploring the impact of heat stress on feed efficiency in tropical beef cattle using genomic reaction norm models. Animal. 19, 9, 101612. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.animal.2025.101612

Spencer, J. A., Duhatschek, D., Piñeiro, J., Hairgrove, T., Daigle, C., Cleere, J., & Cooke, R. F. (2025). Evaluating the efficacy of maternal bovine appeasing substance in reducing stress and enhancing growth performance in dairy calves after disbudding. Journal of Dairy Science. https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2025-26398

Wang, Y., Y. Chang, H. Luo, L. F. Brito, Y. Dong, R. Shi, Y. Wang, and H. Zhang. 2024. Mortality-culling rates of dairy calves and replacement heifers and its risk factors in Holstein cattle. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 11: 1324567. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2024.1324567.

Weimer, S. and B. Fischer. 2025. HACCP for animal welfare transparency. Journal of Applied Animal Welfare Science, 1-7. DOI: 10.1080/10888705.2025.2552483.

Weimer, S. L., E. Myhre, A. M. Neeteson-van-Nieuwenhoven, R. Arreaga, K. Barger, R. C. Newberry, K. J. Tarrant, and G. S. Fraley. 2025. Research and innovation perspectives: Poultry welfare in 2050. DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2025.105799.

Welk, A., H.W. Neave, and M.B. Jensen. 2024. Invited Review: The effect of weaning practices on dairy calf performance, behavior, and health—A systematic review. J. Dairy Sci. 107: 5237 – 5258.

Welk, A., M.C. Cantor, H.W. Neave, J.H.C. Costa, J.L. Morrison, M.B. Jensen, C.B. Winder, and D.L. Renaud. Effect of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on neonatal calf diarrhea when administered at disease alert generated by automated milk feeders. J. Dairy Sci. (in press)

Whalin, L. et al. (2025) Invited Review: Future directions for cow-calf contact research and sustainable on-farm application. J. Dairy Sci. 108: 6550-6564.https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2024-26201

Whittle, R. H., D. M. Karcher, M. A. Erasmus, and S. L. Weimer. 2025. Effects of genetic strain, stocking density, and age on broiler behavior. Poultry Science. 104:104723. DOI: 10.1016/j.psj.2024.104723.

Woodrum Setser, M., H.W. Neave, and J.H.C. Costa. 2024. Are you ready for a challenge? Personality traits influence dairy calves’ responses to disease, pain and nutritional challenges. J. Dairy Sci. 107: 9821 – 9838.

Woods, J.M., Adcock, S.J.J. 2025. Healing progression of tail docking and ear tag wounds in lambs. Scientific Reports. 15: 3061. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-86204-7

Woods, J.M., Adcock, S.J.J. 2025. Sexual attractivity and receptivity in tailed and docked ewes.  Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 291: 106733. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106733.

Woods, J.M., Adcock, S.J.J. 2025. The maternal-offspring relationship in tailed and docked ewes and their lambs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science. 292: 106775. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applanim.2025.106775

Conference Papers, Posters, and Presentations

Ajibola, G, E. Fernandez-Juricic, D. R. Jones, G. S. Fraley, P. A. Zollner, D. M. Karcher and M. A. Erasmus. 2024. Aviary and floor style housing influence environmental pecking and feeding behavior of laying hens depending on whether birds are marked for individual identification. Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting, Louisville, KY.

Allensworth, C., P. Watson, G. Archer (2025). Evaluation of supplementing different phytogenic substances on broiler growth and gut health to 35 days of age. Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting, Raleigh, NC

Bacon M, Da Silva T, Costa JHC, and Daigle CL. 2025. Characterizing individual drinking behavior and productivity of lactating dairy cows under heat stress conditions 2025 Annual Meeting of the ADSA. Louisville, KY

Bacon M, Da Silva T, Costa JHC, and Daigle CL. 2025. Characterizing water use and water efficiency by integrating multiple types of precision livestock technologies. 3rd US Precision Livestock Farming Conference, Lincoln, NE

Baugh K, Siegford J. 2025. Design and implementation of individual fear tests for cage-free laying hens. 2025 North American Regional Meeting of the International Society for Applied Ethology. (poster) (Partially funded by USDA NIFA grant led by A. Ali of Clemson)

Bello, A., E. Jiral, G. Archer, S. van der Klein, K. Gibbs, Y. Dersjant-Li, S. Arent, E. Vinyeta. (2025). Combined xylanase – β-glucanase reduces ileal viscosity and improves growth performance in broiler fed fiber-rich diet reduced in ME and digestible AA.  24th European Symposium on Poultry Nutrition, Maastricht, Netherlands

Bez, I. C. C., G.K.C. Nakamura, B.S. Souza, L.B. Costa, H.W. Neave, and R.R. Daros, R. R. 2025. Can a novel on-site behavioral test identify new personality traits for weaned piglets? 2025 International Society for Applied Ethology (ISAE) Annual Meeting. Utrecht, Netherlands.

Bist., R. B., H. Antungulu, L. Chai, S. Weimer, C. Pennicott, X. Yang, S. Subedi, Y. Tian, and D. Wang. A semi-supervised auto-labeling approach to enhance artificial intelligence in poultry farming. International Poultry Scientific Forum. Atlanta, GA. January 27-28, 2025. (oral)

Bongiorno V, Widowski TM, Ali A, Siegford J. 2025. Impact of aviary enclosure on wing flapping in cage-free laying hens.  Proceedings of the 58th Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology 2025 58:296. (poster)

Bučková, K., A. M. Newgard, B. Zhang and A. K. Johnson. 2024. Wound healing and mortality in tail-docked and castrated piglets with or without environmental enrichment. International Society for Applied Ethology. Proceedings of the 57th Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology. Animals and Society: Striking the right balance through Ethology, 22-26th July 2024, Curitiba, Brazil. Pg. 254.

Bučková, K., and A. Johnson. 2024. Effects of commercially available toys for piglets with intact teeth on sow teat damage. 9th International Conference on the Welfare Assessment of Animals at Farm Level (WAFL). 30/31 August 2024. Session 7. Suppress, substitute and soothe suffering – application of the 3S’s to improve farm animal welfare. Florence, Italy.

Bučková, K., and A. K. Johnson. 2024. What physical enrichment for pigs can be used by North American farmers? National Hog Farmer. October 17th 2024. Available at: https://www.nationalhogfarmer.com/livestock-management/what-physical-enrichment-for-pigs-can-be-used-by-north-american-farmers-

Bučková, K., L Tomko, K. M. Arnold, and A. K. Johnson. 2025. Evidence of negative effects of piglet tail-docking and castration on sow welfare. Presented at the 58th International Society of Applied Ethology. https://isae2025utrecht.nl/

Byrd, J.L., M.T. DeHaven, K.Turner, and H.W. Neave. 2025. Are cows good moms? Exploring maternal behavior in multiparous versus primiparous cows. 2025 American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) Annual Meeting. Louisville, KY.

Byrd, J.L., M.T. DeHaven, K.Turner, and H.W. Neave. 2025. Exploring Maternal Behavior in Dairy Cows: Effects of Temporary Separation. International Society for Applied Ethology (ISAE) Regional North American Meeting. Guelph, ON, Canada.

Byrd, J.L., M.T. DeHaven, K.Turner, and H.W. Neave. 2025. Maternal moods: Behavioral responses of dairy cows to temporary separation and reunion. 2025 International Society for Applied Ethology (ISAE) Annual Meeting. Utrecht, Netherlands.

Ceja G and Daigle CL. 2025. Evaluating the Relationship between temperament, productivity, and metabolic status in dairy cows. 2025 Annual Meeting of the ADSA

Ceja G and Daigle CL. 2025. Updating our global perspective on livestock temperament: a scoping review of tests and methodologies used to assess temperament traits in livestock animals. International Society for Applied Ethology, Utrecht, the Netherlands.

Chen, S., Y. Wang, G. Arche, Z. Xu. (2025).  Investigation of poultry manure removal efficiency and volume estimation on grooved-floor panels. 2025 International Poultry Scientific Forum, Atlanta, Ga.

Chen, S., Y. Wang, Z. Zhao, G. Athrey, G. Archer, Z. Xu (2025). Investigation of Poultry Fecal Removal Efficiency and Volume Estimation on Grooved-Floor Panels. Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting, Raleigh, NC

Cherry, J., J. Timmons, and S. Weimer. Effect of dietary tryptophan supplementation on tonic immobility behavior of pasture-raised broilers before and after heat stress. International Poultry Scientific Forum. Atlanta, GA. January 27-28, 2025. (poster)

Costa J, Rose R, and Daigle CL. 2025. Maternal Bovine (Bos taurus) Appeasing Pheromone Minimally Decreases Canine (Canis familiaris) Kennel Decibel Levels: A Preliminary Study. American Association of Laboratory Animal Scientists. Long Beach, CA

Costanzo B and Daigle CL. 2025.  Factors affecting the roaming behavior of livestock guardian dogs: a scoping review. Canine Science Symposium, San Fransisco, CA

Croom M, Daigle CL, and Walzem, R. 2025. Tailoring Feed Strategies: A Study on Pullet Behavior with Modified Diets and Probiotic Supplements. International Poultry Producers Expo. Atlanta, GA.

Croom M, Daigle CL, and Walzem, R. 2025. The Impact of Feeder Removal on the Post-Feeding Behaviors of Feed Restricted Broiler Breeder Pullets at 10 and 15 Weeks of Age. International Poultry Producers Expo. Atlanta, GA.

Daigle, CL. 2025. Precision livestock feeding for improving animal welfare. Animal Behavior and Welfare Symposium. ASAS-CSAS Annual Meeting. Hollywood, Florida.

Daigle, CL. 2025. Use of technology to promote sustainable livestock production and animal welfare. Norman Borlaug Institute Lecture Series, Taichung, Taiwan

DeHaven, M.T., J.L. Byrd, K.Turner, and H.W. Neave. 2025. Latched on: nursing and suckling behaviors of cows and calves, and the possible need for human assistance. International Society for Applied Ethology (ISAE) Regional North American Meeting. Guelph, ON, Canada.

DeHaven, M.T., J.L. Byrd, K.Turner, and H.W. Neave. 2025. Reading between the ears: Validating ear postures as an indicator of affective states in dairy cows and calves during temporary separation and reunion. 2025 International Society for Applied Ethology (ISAE) Annual Meeting. Utrecht, Netherlands.

DeHaven, M.T., J.L. Byrd, K.Turner, and H.W. Neave. 2025. The first 24 hours: nursing and suckling behaviors of cows and calves, and the possible need for human assistance. 2025 American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) Annual Meeting. Louisville, KY.

Drwencke, A. M., A. Martin, S. J. J. Adcock, and C. B. Tucker. 2025. Comparing continuous observation and subsampling for pain related behaviors after disbudding. International Society for Applied Ethology, North American Conference. Guelph, Canada.

Drwencke, A. M., A. Martin, S. J. J. Adcock, and C. B. Tucker. 2025. Comparing continuous observation and subsampling for pain related behaviors after disbudding. International Society for Applied Ethology. Utrecht, Netherlands.

Drwencke, A. M., V. S. Rodas, S. J. J. Adcock, and C. B. Tucker. 2025. Disbudding dairy calves with caustic paste: Assessing the effect of contact duration on the healing process. American Dairy Science Association. Louisville, KY

Erasmus, M. A. 2024. Bridging the public, producer and student gap. Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting, Louisville, KY.

Fortney, D. L., A. K. Johnson, N. K. Gabler, S. T. Millman, and E. R. Sundman. 2024. Are environmental enrichment and feeder interaction in early nursery indicators of successful pig transition? Proceedings of the 57th Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology. Animals and Society: Striking the right balance through Ethology, 22-26th July 2024, Curitiba, Brazil. Pg. 238.

Fortney, D., A. K. Johnson, N. K. Gabler, S. T. Millman and J. P. Steibel. 2024. Are environmental enrichment, feeder interactions indicators of a successful pig weaning transition? National Hog Farmer December 19th, 2024. Available at: https://www.nationalhogfarmer.com/livestock-management/are-environmental-enrichment-feeder-interactions-indicators-of-a-successful-pig-weaning-transition-

Fortney, D., E. Sundman, N. Gabler, S. Millman, A. Johnson. 2024. Does environmental feeder enrichment for weaned pigs drive feeder usage and improve final body weight? Journal of Animal Science. 102(3):435-436. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skae234.493

Fortney, D., E. Sundman, N. Gabler, S. Millman, A. Johnson. 2024. Effect of environmental enrichment on pig average daily feed intake and average daily gain in the early nursery phase. Journal of Animal Science. 102(3):437-438. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skae234.495

Griffith, N. A., L. F. Brito, P. Regmi and M. A. Erasmus. 2024. Environmental enrichment and its impact on walking ability and footpad dermatitis of commercial turkey toms. Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting, Louisville, KY. Poster.

Hansen, K. R., B.E. McAnally, D.F. Ahern, C.E. Ross, Luiz F. Brito, Jay S. Johnson, and Amy T. Desaulniers. 2025. Effects of in utero heat stress and genomic selection for heat tolerance on boar semen quality. Veterinary Scholars Symposium. Spokane, WA.

Hernandez, R. O., H. A. Mulim, R. Vanderhout, X. Bai, O. Willems, P. Regmi, M. A. Erasmus and L. Brito. 2024. Genome-wide association study for walking ability in turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo). Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting, Louisville, KY.

Jackson, A., D.V. Bourassa, J. Purswell, B.I. Baker-Cook. Characterizing the development of the behavioral repertoire of turkey poultry during early-life. PSA Annual Meeting. July 14-17, 2025. Raleigh, NC.

Jackson, A.P., D.D. Landers, D.V. Bourassa, J. Purswell, and B.I. Baker-Cook. Evaluating the impact of age and diurnal rhythm on the development of the behavioral repertoire of broiler chicks. International Society for Applied Ethology Annual Meeting, August 4-8, 2025. Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Jennings, M., A. McConnell, M. Hughes, and D.V. Bourassa. Influence of euthanasia methods on broiler blood metabolites. International Poultry Scientific Forum, January 27-28, 2025. Atlanta, GA.

Jiral, E., G.Archer, A. Bello, S. van der Klein, K. Gibbs, Y. Dersjant-li, S. Arent, E. Vinyeta. (2025). The effects of feeding a xylanase – beta-glucanase combination on growth performance and energy efficiency in broilers fed a complex diet. Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting, Raleigh, NC

Jiral, E., M. Bergman, G.S. Fraley, G. Archer. (2025). The effects of feeding supplemental tryptophan or probiotic on stress, blood serotonin and brain neurotransmitter response in broilers and Pekin ducks.  2025 International Poultry Scientific Forum, Atlanta, Ga.

Johnson, N. K., K. Shafer, M. Maqueda, R. Whittle, C. Pennicott, S. Weimer, S. Orlowski. Comparison of drinking behavior in water birds. International Poultry Scientific Forum. Atlanta, GA. January 27-28, 2025. (oral)

Johnston, E., R. Whittle, J. Reynolds, R. Cheek, J. Powell, B. Kegley, and S. Weimer. Bovine appeasing substance minimally impacts behavioral and physiological indicators of welfare in beef calves purchased at auction. International Society for Applied Ethology. Utrecht, Netherlands. August 4-8, 2025.

Kulbacki, S., N. A. Griffith, M. Moffitt, T. Stokes, M. A. Erasmus, L. F. Brito and P. Regmi. 2024. Effects of environmental enrichment on morphological and biomechanical traits of leg bones in turkey toms. Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting, Louisville, KY.

Lee, Yoonsuk, Lautaro Rostoll-Cangiano, and Jennifer Van Os. 2025. How would a roommate affect calves’ microbiome and help them cope with weaning stress? 47th ADSA Discover Conference – Dairy Cow and Farm Resilience: Mitigating Stress Impacts to Welfare, Health, and Profitability. Itasca, IL.

Long Y, Siegford JM, Morris D. 2024. Automatic detection of piling in poultry. Proceedings of the 2024 ASABE Annual International Meeting, Anaheim, California. (poster) (Partially funded by MAAA grant with collaborator A. Ali of Clemson)

Ma X, Bongiorno V, Jacobs J, Swanson J, Widowski T, Siegford J. 2025. Play in cage-free laying hens: The impact of age and aviary design. 2025 North American Regional Meeting of the International Society for Applied Ethology. (poster) (Partially funded by USDA NIFA grant led by A. Ali of Clemson)

Ma X, Siegford J, Ambike V, Jacobs J, Swanson J, Widowski T, Ali A. 2025. Accelerometers as a tool for studying aviary style and age effects on laying hen activity. Proceedings of the 58th Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology 2025 58:248. (poster)

McAnally, B. E., D. F. Ahern*, M. H. Byrd, J. Musa, B.R. White, C.A. Lents, L.F. Brito, J.S. Johnson, and A.T. Desaulniers. 2025. Effects of in utero heat stress and genomic selection for improved heat tolerance on pubertal development and breeding potential of boars. Annual Meeting of the Society for the Study of Reproduction. Washington, D.C.

McAnally, B.E., MaryKate H. Byrd, Jacob Musa, Luiz F. Brito, Jay S. Johnson, and Amy T. Desaulniers. 2025. In utero heat stress alters testis development and circulating cytokines profiles in pre-pubertal boars. ASAS Midwestern Section Annual Meeting. Omaha, NE.

McDonald-Gilmartin, I.M., C.I. Bolanos, B.C. Downey, and C.B. Tucker. 2025. Continuous recording of abnormal repetitive behaviors in Jersey and Holstein post-weaned heifers. Oral presentation at Center for Animal Welfare Symposium, Davis, CA, USA.

McDonald-Gilmartin, I.M., C.I. Bolanos, B.C. Downey, and C.B. Tucker. 2025. Continuous recording of abnormal repetitive behaviors in Jersey and Holstein post-weaned heifers. Poster presentation at International Society for Applied Ethology, Utrecht, The Netherlands

Meyer G, Cooke RF, Harvey S, Daigle CL. 2025. Impact of exercise on drylot housed developing heifer behavior. Advancing Animal Welfare Together. Loveland, CO

Morris D, Long Y, Ali A, Siegford J. 2024. LED arrays to reduce poultry piling. Precision Livestock Farming 2024: Papers Presented at the 11th European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming, Bologna, Italy,9-12 September 2024. 11:374-381.

Neupane R, Shrestha B, Flake S, Mohan M, Chudhary S, Daigle CL, and Paudyal S. 2025. Evaluating the effects of heat stress on cows milked with robotic milking systems using machine vision algorithms. 2025 Annual Meeting of the ADSA

Opengart, K. and D.V. Bourassa. Evaluation of broiler heart activity post-controlled atmosphere stunning (CAS) to determine acceptability of CAS for religious slaughter. AAAP 68th Annual Meeting, July 29-31, 2025. Portland, OR.

Pantel, S., Woods, J., Adcock, S., Crawford, L. Characterizing neuroma formation after tail docking in sheep. American College of Veterinary Pathologists Annual Meeting, Seattle, Washington, November 2024.

Pennicott, C., A. Perretti, V. Oyeniran, S. Orlowski, R. Whittle, J. Cherry, and S. Weimer. Effect of humidity during the hatching phase on broiler chick quality, tibia morphology, and behavior. International Poultry Scientific Forum. Atlanta, GA. January 27-28, 2025. (oral)

Perretti, A., C. Pennicott, V. Oyeniran, J, Cherry, Z. Grider, A. Nelson, and S. Weimer. Influence of light wavelength on the activity and tibia morphology of broilers. International Poultry Scientific Forum. Atlanta, GA. January 27-28, 2025. (oral)

Pinkerton, M., H.W. Neave, and J.A. Pempek. 2025. Behavior and personality of Holstein dairy and dairy × beef crossbred calves. 2025 International Society for Applied Ethology (ISAE) Annual Meeting. Utrecht, Netherlands.

Pinkerton, M., R. Neves, J.P. Boerman, H.W. Neave, E. M.  Schafer, and J. A. Pempek. 2025. Effects of weaning age on health and hematological measures in dairy and dairy × beef crossbred calves. 2025 American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) Annual Meeting. Louisville, KY.

Pinkerton, M., R. Neves, J.P. Boerman, H.W. Neave, E. M.  Schafer, and J. A. Pempek. 2025. Effects of weaning age on the growth and metabolic status of dairy and dairy × beef crossbred calves. 2025 American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) Annual Meeting. Louisville, KY.

Schlueter G.M., B.E. McAnally, M.H. Byrd, J. Musa, L.F. Brito, J.S. Johnson, and A.T. Desaulniers. The Effect of In Utero Heat Stress and Genomic Selection for Heat Tolerance on Boar Reproductive Development. UNL Undergraduate Research Fair. Lincoln, NE. April 14th, 2025.

Scott, A., G. Dallago, H.W. Neave, J. Ahloy-Dallaire, J.H.C. Costa, J.C. Plaizier, and M.T.M. King. 2025. Combining QBA, behaviour tests, and physiological measures to assess positive affect in dairy cattle. 2025 International Society for Applied Ethology (ISAE) Annual Meeting. Utrecht, Netherlands.

Scott, A., G. Dallago, H.W. Neave, J. Ahloy-Dallaire, J.H.C. Costa, J.C. Plaizier, and M.T.M. King. 2025. Exploring indicators of positive affective states in dairy cattle. 2025 American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) Annual Meeting. Louisville, KY.

Sutherland, H. L., L. F. Brito, A. C. Murillo and M. A. Erasmus. 2024. Bugging out: northern fowl mite infestation levels and their relationship with cage-free laying hen welfare. Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting, Louisville, KY. Received certificate of excellence for presentation.

Sutherland, H. L., L. F. Brito, A. C. Murillo and M. A. Erasmus. 2024. From pullet to hen: age-related changes in cage-free layer welfare parameters. Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting, Louisville, KY. Poster.

Sutherland, H., L. Brito, M. Murillo and M. Erasmus. 2024. Influence of the northern fowl mite (Acari: macronyssidae) infestation level on cage free laying hen welfare. Entomology Society of America Annual Meeting. Phoenix, AZ. Received 2nd place for presentation.

Timmons, J., C. Whyte, U. Ghimire, S. Weimer, J. M. Cherry, and S. Mwangi. Dietary tryptophan supplementation to mitigate the effects of heat stress on slow growing male broilers raised on pasture. Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting. Raleigh, NC. July 14-18, 2025. (oral)

Tucker, C.B., S.J.J. Adcock, J.M.C. Van Os, C. Moody, and B.C. Downey. 2025. Observer reliability in animal behavior research: A workshop. Workshop at International Society for Applied Ethology, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Tucker, C.B., S.J.J. Adcock, J.M.C. Van Os, C. Moody, and B.C. Downey. 2025. Observer reliability in animal behavior research: A workshop. Workshop at North American Regional International Society for Applied Ethology, Guelph, Ontario, Canada.

Turner, K.,  J.L. Byrd, M.T. DeHaven, and H.W. Neave. 2025. Separated but not forgotten: Calf behavioral responses to temporary separation and reunion with the dam. International Society for Applied Ethology (ISAE) Regional North American Meeting. Guelph, ON, Canada.

Udell, M. A. R. (May 18, 2025). Beyond Behaviors: Redefining Success in Animal Training. Canine Science Symposium. San Francisco, CA, USA.

Udell, M. A. R. (May 18, 2025). Let’s Talk About Cats. Canine Science Symposium. San Francisco, CA, USA.

Villarreal, I., C. Allensworth, R. Hirai, R. Shirley, A. Bergeron, M.A. Hachemi, D. Cardoso, G. Archer.  (2025)  Evaluating the effects of different supplemental Selenium sources on Pekin duck growth performance and tissue deposition. Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting, Raleigh, NC

Villarreal, I., P. Watson, G. House, A. Stephan, G. Archer. (2025). Effects of provisioning a moonlight regimen on layer fear and stress susceptibility. Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting, Raleigh, NC

Welk, A., H.W. Neave, J.H.C Costa, M.C Cantor, C.B. Winder, and D.L. Renaud. 2025. Expression of sickness behaviors is linked to personality traits in dairy calves with neonatal diarrhea. 2025 International Society for Applied Ethology (ISAE) Annual Meeting. Utrecht, Netherlands.

Welk, A., H.W. Neave, J.H.C. Costa, M.C. Cantor, M.B. Jensen, C.B. Winder, and D.L. Renaud. 2025. Association of personality traits and the expression of sickness behavior in dairy calves with neonatal diarrhea. 2025 American Dairy Science Association (ADSA) Annual Meeting. Louisville, KY.

Whittle, R. and S. Weimer. Smoothing the way forward: A new approach to broiler mobility analysis. International Society for Applied Ethology. Utrecht, Netherlands. August 4-8, 2025.

Whittle, R., A. Forga, D. Graham, T. Porter, and S. Weimer. Behavioral strategies of broilers during early life thermal conditioning and subsequent heat stress. Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting. Raleigh, NC. July 14-17, 2025. (oral)

Whittle, R., A. Rankin, B. Kegley, J. Powell, J. Reynolds, and S. Weimer. Can chute behavior predict subclinical morbidity in beef calves? International Society for Applied Ethology North American Regional Meeting. May 14-15, 2025. (oral)

Whittle, R., C. Pennicott, A. Perretti, V. Oyeniran, J. Cherry, and S. Weimer. Effect of dietary tryptophan and photoperiod on the fear responses of broilers during the open field test. International Poultry Scientific Forum. Atlanta, GA. January 27-28, 2025. (poster)

Woods, J.M., Adcock, S.J.J. The maternal-offspring relationship in tailed and docked ewes and their lambs. International Society for Applied Ethology Congress, Utrecht, Netherlands, August 2025.

Zhao, Z., S. Chen, Y. Wang, G. Athrey, G. Archer, D. Feng, Z. Xu. (2025) Evaluation of Mild Woody Breast Meat's Contact Stiffness via Beam Buckling Mechanism. Poultry Science Association Annual Meeting, Raleigh, NC.

Book Chapters

Daigle CL. 2025. Technology designed to enhance poultry welfare. In Improving Animal Welfare: A Practical Approach, 4th Edition. Ed. Temple Grandin. CABI International.

Daigle CL, Ridge E, Davis M, Kirk AA, and Vogel KD. 2025. Feedlot Welfare Standards in the United States and Canada. In National and International Animal Welfare Auditing. Ed. Arlene Garcia. Brill Publishing

Zobel, G., H.W. Neave, C. Nawroth. 2024. Natural behaviour of goats. In: Battini, M. (ed.), The Behaviour of Goats. Springer International Publishing - Springer Nature.

Dissertation and Theses

Baugh K 2025. The impact of aviary design on measures of production, mortality, and fear in cage-free laying hens. MS Thesis, Michigan State University. (advised by J. Siegford (MSU), mentored by A. Ali (Clemson))

Cherry, J. 2025. Effect of dietary tryptophan supplementation and heat stress on pasture-raised broiler welfare and performance. MS Thesis.

Croom, Mazette. 2025. Impact of strain and gut microbiota on the feeding behavior of limit fed broiler breeder chickens. Doctoral Dissertation. Department of Poultry Science, Texas A&M University. (committee member)

Does time heal all wounds? Welfare consequences of caustic paste disbudding in dairy calves. Dissertation by Alycia Drwencke, supervised by Cassandra Tucker (PI) and Sarah Adcock.

Fortney, D. 2024. Master of Science (thesis). Completed 2024. Physiology Major with a specialization in ethology, Department of Animal Science, Iowa State University. “How enrichment and behavioral predictive modelling assists in nursery pig livability.” DOI: https://dr.lib.iastate.edu/entities/publication/70cd3bc3-8f9a-4ddd-8f5a-01ce58ef6648

Jennings, M. 2025. The Impact of Lairage Temperatures and Controlled Atmosphere Gas Stunning on Meat Quality and Blood Metabolites. M.S. Thesis. Auburn University.

Lamon, Tenille. 2025. Evaluation and validation of stress assessment tools for monitoring shelter animal welfare. Doctoral Dissertation. Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, Texas A&M University (committee member)

Ma X. 2025. Hens gone wild! Studying activity and play in cage-free brown laying hens. MS Thesis, Michigan State University. (advised by J. Siegford (MSU), mentored by A. Ali (Clemson))

Meyer, Glenn. 2025. Impact of stocking density and exercise on drylot housed developing heifer welfare. Masters thesis. Department of Animal Science, Texas A&M University. (chair)

Oyeniran, J., 2024. Cognitive bias, memory, and fearfulness of Red Junglefowl and Athens Canadian Random Bred chickens. MS Thesis. University of Arkansas.

Perretti, A. 2025. Impact of lighting wavelength on broiler behavior, health, and performance. MS Thesis. University of Arkansas.

Woods, J.M. 2025. The Tail of a Lamb: The Welfare and Behavior Implications of Tail Docking Sheep. Doctoral Dissertation. University of Wisconsin-

Extension Activities and Publications

Siegford J. 2025. Productivity, floor eggs, mortality, behavior and welfare across two cage-free aviary styles. Invited speaker for Layer Breakout Session. Michigan Allied Poultry Industry Winter Poultry Seminar, Hudsonville, MI, February 27, 2025

Siegford J. 2025. Monitoring and managing laying hens using technology. Talk for Poultry Extension Collaborative Virtual Symposium, May 2025. 58 attendees. Online at https://youtu.be/QtiPZ_ldPuk?si=Ugg9Dtn8ujsuzmXt

Back
Log Out ?

Are you sure you want to log out?

Press No if you want to continue work. Press Yes to logout current user.

Yes
Report a Bug
Report a Bug

Describe your bug clearly, including the steps you used to create it.