This paper aimed to analyze the sustainability of Italian cattle farms, in terms of nutrient surplus and land use, greenhouse gasses emission and animal welfare. Intensive livestock farms are concentrated in Northern Italy, especially in Po valley, in which the average livestock density is 1.7 livestock unit/ha of agricultural area. A high percentage of agricultural areas are Nitrates Vulnerable Zones, and the farmers were asked to adapt the farm management to the limits established by the Nitrates Directive. Also the mitigation of greenhouse gasses emitted by ruminants, in particular enteric methane, has become an important issue for livestock sustainability and an area of research in animal science. Indeed, agriculture is responsible for about 50% of global production of methane from human activities and the largest amount is produced by rumen fermentation in cattle. Furthermore, the importance of animal welfare in intensive livestock farms is well recognized by EU citizens. For Italian cattle farms, the improvement of animal welfare is an emerging issue especially for beef and calves. Strategies aimed at improve the sustainability of Italian cattle farms are discussed, including farm management, research approaches and regional planning and policies.