Welfare of Livestock in Mountain and Highland Farming

Mountain and highland livestock farming faces unique welfare challenges from extreme weather, limited veterinary access, and terrain that increases injury risk.

Key Facts

Sheep and cattle in highland systems may graze at altitudes above 2,000 meters
Veterinary access in remote areas is often hours or days away from farms
Harsh weather causes hypothermia, frostbite, and starvation in livestock caught in storms
Steep terrain increases fracture and injury risk from falls
Traditional highland breeds have significant cold and terrain adaptation that improves their welfare

Welfare Considerations

Highland livestock welfare depends critically on the match between breed and environment, and on the quality of stockmanship by farmers who are often the only welfare oversight available for days at a time. Traditional mountain breeds — Herdwick sheep, Highland cattle — have physiological and behavioral adaptations that allow them to cope with harsh conditions far better than lowland commercial breeds pushed into highland systems for economic reasons. Stockmanship quality is the most important welfare variable in extensive highland systems.

What You Can Do

Support traditional highland breed conservation as a welfare-positive agricultural practice
Advocate for veterinary rural access funding that enables timely treatment in remote areas
Choose lamb and beef from traditional mountain breeds when available and labeled
Engage with highland farming communities about welfare improvements rather than blanket criticism