The receiving period when cattle first arrive at feedlots is a critical welfare transition requiring specific management to reduce stress and disease.
The receiving period is the highest stress, highest disease risk and highest mortality point in the feedlot production cycle. Management during this critical period has outsized welfare impact relative to the rest of the production cycle. Low-stress handling techniques, adequate rest before processing, and disease surveillance that enables early treatment are the primary welfare interventions. Reducing antibiotic dependency requires excellent receiving management.