Papers
2
Total Citations
157
H-Index
2
About
Xavier Boivin is a leading researcher in the intersection of animal welfare science and agricultural technology, with a specific focus on human-animal relationships in livestock systems. His work critically examines how the rapid adoption of precision livestock farming (PLF) is reshaping dairy farm work, animal welfare, and the fundamental bond between farmers and their animals. Boivin’s major contribution lies in demonstrating that while PLF technologies—such as automated milking and health monitoring—can reduce physical drudgery, they also risk diminishing the quality and frequency of direct human-animal contact. His seminal 2017 review, with over 112 citations, established a foundational framework for understanding these trade-offs, while his 2020 study (45 citations) provided crucial empirical evidence of farmers’ own perceptions, revealing that technology can both support and undermine positive human-animal relationships. By bridging behavioral science, ergonomics, and animal ethics, Boivin’s work has become essential reading for students and practitioners seeking to design and implement PLF systems that enhance, rather than erode, the welfare of both animals and the people who care for them.
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