Cattle evolved as grazing animals and experience welfare benefits from pasture access that indoor systems cannot fully replicate through enrichment alone.
Cattle welfare on pasture benefits from the expression of natural grazing behavior, varied terrain that promotes healthy feet, natural light cycles, and outdoor air quality. Lameness prevalence in well-managed pasture systems is consistently lower than in housed cattle. The natural movement patterns of grazing across varied terrain wear hooves appropriately and develop the musculature that supports sound movement. Transitioning cattle between indoor and outdoor environments requires management to prevent welfare problems during adjustment periods.