Cattle feedlots house millions of animals in intensive conditions. A review of welfare evidence identifies key challenges and the improvements that most benefit animal wellbeing.
Feedlot production concentrates large numbers of cattle in conditions that constrain natural behavior but can be managed across a wide welfare quality spectrum. The welfare determinants most within management control are pen surface management (mud prevention), disease detection speed, pain management for routine procedures, and heat abatement. Cattle in well-managed feedlots experience short-duration but severe welfare harms only in specific contexts (disease, extreme weather, handling), while cattle in poorly managed feedlots experience chronic welfare compromise from disease burden, lameness, and environmental stress throughout their time in the system.