Feedlot cattle face welfare challenges from crowding, limited movement, and dietary transitions. Evidence-based management can significantly improve their wellbeing.
Feedlot cattle experience significant welfare challenges including dietary stress during transition periods, heat stress without shade, respiratory disease from dust and crowding, and lameness from hard substrates. Social disruption from frequent regrouping increases aggression and stress. High-performing feedlots use systematic health monitoring, pain management protocols, shade structures, and nutritional management to reduce suffering. Welfare auditing programmes help identify and address systemic problems.