Happier cows thanks to the WELL-E Chair

Targeted research priorities

Health and welfare of dairy cattle
The research aims to develop artificial intelligence tools to improve the longevity and well-being of dairy cows.

Project summary

Public expectations in terms of animal welfare and environmental sustainability are on the rise, putting increasing pressure on dairy farms. The longevity of cows, linked to their well-being, appears to be a solution to the sector’s economic, social and environmental challenges.

The Innovation Chair in Animal Welfare and Artificial Intelligence (WELL-E) uses sensors and artificial intelligence (AI) to detect early changes affecting cow welfare and longevity. Projects aim to develop automated indicators to assess the impact of changes in housing systems, management practices and cow handling. The WELL-E Chair is a living digital laboratory combining data from research farms, a network of connected farms and user recommendations.

This approach will improve cow well-being, longevity, health and profitability. It will provide dairy producers with innovative tools to ensure sustainable production.

Expected results

The expected results of this research include major advances for animal welfare and the sustainability of the dairy industry. Using remote sensing and AI, the project will develop tools for early detection of changes affecting cow welfare and longevity, generating reliable predictions to support on-farm decision-making.

Changes in management practices and housing environments will be evaluated via a digital living laboratory, creating an innovative ecosystem where automated indicators of well-being, longevity and profitability will be integrated. Prototype and toolboxes will guide producers in identifying the animals with the most long-term potential.

The project will also train a new generation of specialists through an interdisciplinary training platform, supporting over 45 students and researchers. Ultimately, this initiative will help strengthen the sustainability and competitiveness of the dairy sector, while improving the animal experience.

Main achievements

• Training of 4 postdoctoral researchers, 10 doctoral students, 7 master’s students and 25 undergraduate trainees in computer science or animal science
• Presentation of results at the Forum Techno and Novalait annual meeting
• Presentations and posters at local and national conferences
•  Scientific articles written by team members
• Extension and knowledge transfer activities