WELL-E: Rethinking Cow Care with AI

In Canada, researchers from McGill University’s WELL-E Chair are using artificial intelligence to improve the welfare of dairy cows. At a farm in Montreal, high-definition cameras track cows’ movements, ear positions, and walking patterns to gather behavioral data. These subtle signals help assess the animals’ physical and mental health.

This work is especially important in Canada, where over 70% of dairy farms still use tie-stall systems that restrict cows’ mobility and social interaction. Elsa Vasseur, Associate Professor in Animal Science at McGill and co-holder of the WELL-E Chair, emphasizes the urgency of change:
“This system is highly questionable, and a transition is possible — but it’s the current state of the industry. How can we improve the lives of these animals?”

The project was featured during MTL Connecte, showcasing how technology can support ethical and sustainable farming.

Read the full article (in French) in Le Monde