Composting Barn Systems in Dairy Production: A Global and Multidimensional Synthesis of Evidence (2015–2025)

Abstract

The intensification of dairy farming has driven the adoption of more efficient and sustainable housing systems, among which the Compost Barn system stands out. However, the literature presents heterogeneous results influenced by climatic, structural, and management variations, limiting the establishment of consistent technical recommendations. This study aimed to systematically analyze scientific production on Compost Barn systems in dairy cattle farming, identifying thematic trends, temporal evolution, geographic distribution, main journals and authors, and knowledge gaps. The systematic review included original articles published between January 2015 and October 2025, retrieved from LILACS/BVS, SciELO, ScienceDirect, Scopus, CAPES Journal Portal, and PubMed in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. Publications increased substantially from 2020 onward, with a peak in 2021 and strong geographic concentration in Brazil. Thematic analysis identified five main axes: animal welfare and health, milk production and quality, structure and management, microbiology, and environmental impacts/sustainability, with emphasis on comfort, health status, and bedding conditions. The literature has evolved from descriptive studies toward more analytical approaches; however, research remains fragmented, with limited integration among system components. The findings indicate that Compost Barn should be understood as an integrated biological system involving interactions among microbiological, physicochemical, management, animal welfare, productive, and environmental processes. This review provides practical insights for dairy farmers, researchers, and policymakers by supporting evidence-based management and sustainable strategies. Its novelty lies in the integrative analysis of Compost Barn as a complex biological system rather than isolated components. Future research should prioritize multidisciplinary approaches, standardized methodologies, and long-term evaluations across diverse production contexts. Addressing these gaps is essential to improve the technical understanding, management, and environmental sustainability of Compost Barn systems.