Editorial: Grazing behavior and welfare of ruminants

Abstract

The domestication and use of animals for our benefit entails responsibility for their quality of life (1). Animal welfare is a prerequisite for any ethical and sustainable animal production system to be socially defensible and acceptable (2). In nature, animals evolved in a changing environment and developed adaptive mechanisms to increase fitness (3). Cattle evolved in extensive grasslands and rangelands, in herds and families with complex social hierarchy and adapt to challenges posed by their environment through natural selection. Grazing animals face a number of challenges, including tick-borne diseases and lack of access to water and shade. Under human control, it is our responsibility to help animals to cope with such stressors and provide them a good life. This Research Topic aims to identify stressors present in pastoral husbandry systems; assess to the extent they affect health, welfare and production, and propose solutions to mitigate or overcome stressors.