Zero-grazing systems keep dairy cattle permanently indoors. While common in intensive production, permanent housing raises significant welfare concerns related to movement, behaviour, and health.
Zero-grazing systems represent a fundamental welfare compromise for cattle. Grazing is a highly motivated behaviour in cattle — they spend 6-9 hours per day foraging when given pasture access. Permanent confinement denies this behaviour, contributing to frustration and reduced welfare. Housed cattle show higher rates of lameness due to hard flooring, increased rates of hock lesions, and evidence of chronic stress. Pasture access studies consistently demonstrate improvements in cattle health, behaviour, and stress indicators. While indoor systems offer some advantages such as protection from weather extremes and controlled nutrition, the welfare benefits of pasture access are well-evidenced. Transitional and hybrid systems that allow seasonal grazing represent a meaningful welfare improvement over full zero-grazing.