Economic analysis of enrichment provision costs in livestock farming and the business case for welfare investment.
The economics of farm animal enrichment are more favorable than often claimed. While upfront costs for substrate, structures, and modified housing are real, they must be balanced against welfare benefits that have economic value: reduced veterinary costs, lower mortality, better feed conversion in less stressed animals, and access to premium markets. Consumer willingness to pay for higher-welfare products has grown significantly, with premium price points increasingly covering welfare investment costs. The economic barrier to welfare improvement is often smaller than producers claim, particularly when policy mandates apply universally across competitors.