Sustainable and regenerative cattle production systems: Literature review

Cattle production remains relevant to global food systems due to its links with food security, environmental impacts, animal welfare, and societal expectations. The purpose of this review was to examine the role of beef and dairy cattle within sustainable and regenerative agricultural systems using an integrated, systems-based perspective. The review was based on a critical synthesis of peer-reviewed literature addressing environmental performance, methane emissions, animal welfare, regenerative management practices, and socio-economic dimensions of cattle production. Sustainability frameworks used in cattle systems were analysed, with particular attention to the limitations of single-metric assessments such as greenhouse gas emissions. The biological basis of methane production and its relationship with feed efficiency, animal health, and management was described. Evidence on regenerative beef and dairy practices, including grazing management, soil carbon dynamics, biodiversity outcomes, and nutrient cycling, was examined. The role of animal welfare was analysed through One Health, One Welfare, and One Biology frameworks, highlighting its integration with productivity, emissions intensity, and system resilience. Gaps in current sustainability assessments and research methodologies were identified, particularly regarding long-term system performance, welfare indicators, and policy coherence. The findings of this review can be used by researchers, policymakers, advisors, and farmers to support the design, assessment, and implementation of cattle systems that align productivity with environmental stewardship and animal welfare