Feedlot cattle face welfare challenges including heat stress, respiratory disease, social disruption, and feedlot management practices that cause significant suffering.
Feedlot cattle welfare is shaped by the intersection of genetics, management, nutrition, and environment. Respiratory disease - often triggered by the stress of transport and commingling - causes significant suffering in a substantial proportion of feedlot animals. Heat stress during summer is a major concern in many regions. Painful husbandry procedures including dehorning and castration are frequently performed without adequate analgesia despite available and effective treatments.