Semantic modelling is a procedure that can be used to assess overall animal welfare. Through the selection of scientific statements, semantic models can generate overall welfare scores. Our objective was to provide guidelines to make semantic modelling more formalised and transparent and to facilitate the use of this methodology to assess (farm) animal welfare. Ultimately, those guidelines should aid (new) modellers in applying the principles of semantic modelling in a standardised way.

We developed the ANyWEL (ANimal WELfare assessment of anY farm animal) model for improved semantic modelling. The model allows for the synthesis of scientific information about animal welfare. Housing conditions can be compared and ranked and welfare-relevant properties can be distinguished. We explain how this procedure works through a fictitious animal species. Herewith, semantic modelling becomes more transparent with regard to how scientific knowledge can be used to produce overall welfare scores.

Buffalo milk is valued for its rich flavor and high nutrition. However, the lag in genetic research has limited the utilization of buffalo lactation traits. This study found that ESR1 (estrogen receptor alpha) supports cell growth and health, enhances milk fat and protein production, and reduces cell damage. This work offers new insights for breeding and management to improve milk yield and quality, supporting more sustainable dairy production for farmers and consumers globally.

The research was performed on 30 adult Lika Pramenka sheep, aiming to determine the influence of physiological stage on blood metabolic profile. Changes in blood indicators were expressed in heavily pregnant and lactating sheep. This research suggests that studies should include physiological status and feed quality in the determination of the metabolic profile of sheep's blood in order to obtain the best possible information on the herd. 

This study evaluated the genetic diversity of Trakehner horses in comparison with Arabian, Baltic Warmblood, Lithuanian Warmblood, and Zemaitukai populations in Lithuania. Using pedigree and parentage verification data, we showed how breeding practices influenced genetic diversity over time. Despite population decline, Trakehner horses maintained balanced genetic variability. The results support sustainable breeding and conservation strategies.

The content of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs) is significantly associated with the flavor, taste, and nutritional value of beef. Breeders desire to increase the UFA content as much as possible. This study provides a comprehensive atlas of lncRNA profiles across six adipose tissue (AT) depots and identifies two lncRNAs with a high correlation with UFA content in buffaloes. These findings offer valuable insights and lncRNAs for the regulation of UFA synthesis in buffaloes.

This study investigated the impact of continuous heat stress and nighttime recovery on the yield of oocytes and the production of embryos in Holstein heifers. Oocyte collection sessions in the same herd under identical care and feeding were categorized using the day’s peak and average heat–humidity load. It was observed that nighttime recovery had a positive effect on oocyte and blastocyst yield. This suggests that nighttime temperatures should be considered when evaluating heat stress.