Beef feedlots concentrate large numbers of cattle for rapid weight gain before slaughter. Significant welfare challenges arise from the transition to high-energy diets, social mixing, and confined environments.
Feedlot welfare is characterised by a concentration of welfare risks in a relatively short production period. The transition to grain-based diets, social mixing, new environment exposure, and high stocking density all occur simultaneously at feedlot entry — creating a perfect storm of welfare challenges. SARA from rapid dietary transition causes discomfort; BRD from immune compromise causes respiratory suffering; and heat without shade causes thermal stress. Many of these welfare problems are preventable through management: gradual diet transition, arrival rest and feed adaptation, vaccination, and shade provision. The environmental management of feedlot cattle — drainage, footing, shade, and space — directly affects welfare outcomes and is within producer control.