Conversations in Livestock Nutrition, Welfare and Resilient Circular Production Systems

Livestock systems worldwide face growing pressure to become more resilient to climate variability, disease and resource constraints while contributing to circular agriculture by recycling nutrients, reducing waste and strengthening integration with crop and food systems. Achieving this transformation requires knowledge-based innovation across animal breeding, nutrition, health, welfare and farm management, together with a clear understanding of how new approaches can be translated into practice at farm and system levels.Improving resilience and circularity requires livestock systems that meet animals’ nutritional, behavioural and health needs while using resources responsibly.This Research Topic invites Original Research, Reviews, Systematic Reviews, Methods, Policy and Practice Reviews, and Perspective articles that advance understanding of how livestock systems can become more resilient, circular and animal-centred. Digital and precision technologies are welcome, but the collection is not limited to technology-based research. We also encourage studies addressing biological processes, feeding systems, breeding, housing, health management, farmer knowledge, socioeconomic conditions and policy.We welcome contributions addressing, but not limited to:- Genetic and genomic strategies for resilience, robustness and adaptation to environmental stress- Sustainable nutrition and feeding strategies that support animal health, welfare and productivity- Circular and resource-efficient feeding, including alternative, local and by-product feeds- Feed efficiency, nutrient-use optimisation and reduced competition for human-edible resources- Relationships between nutrition, metabolic health, behaviour and animal welfare- Livestock’s role in nutrient cycling and integration with crop and food production- Animal-centred housing, handling and farm-management practices- Innovations in animal health, welfare and disease resilience under changing production conditions- Climate adaptation and management of environmental and biological stress- Genetics and breeding for health, welfare, efficiency and longevity- Precision livestock farming and responsible digital tools for monitoring and management decisions- Life-cycle and system-level assessments of environmental impact, resource efficiency and circularity- Strategies for reducing emissions, waste and other environmental impacts- Applications across intensive, extensive, organic and small-scale production systems- Policy, economic, ethical and behavioural drivers of resilient and circular livestock production- Barriers to adoption and the practical implementation of research at farm levelWe particularly encourage contributions that connect disciplines such as animal breeding, nutrition, veterinary science, welfare science, agricultural economics and environmental science. Studies integrating biological, environmental and socioeconomic perspectives are especially welcome, as are contributions that translate research findings into practical approaches for farmers, veterinarians, advisers and policymakers. Topic editors: Frontiers in Animal Science Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/85467/conversations-in-livestock-nutrition-welfare-and-resilient-circular-production-systems