Feedlots confine cattle in pens for grain-based finishing before slaughter. The welfare of millions of cattle is shaped by housing conditions, diet management and health monitoring in these systems.
Feedlot welfare is shaped by the fundamental constraint of confinement: cattle that would naturally range over large areas for grazing and social behaviour are restricted to relatively small pen areas. The health consequences of rapid dietary transition from forage to high-grain diets — acidosis, bloat, liver abscesses — are endemic challenges requiring careful management. Respiratory disease outbreaks can affect entire pens rapidly. The welfare positive aspects of feedlots include regular feed access, reduced energy expenditure in thermoregulation, and consistent monitoring. The welfare negatives centre on restricted movement, health challenges and environmental discomfort. Higher-welfare feedlot management focuses on gradual grain introduction, shade provision, good drainage, and proactive disease monitoring.