Farm Animals

Farmed Cattle Zero-grazing Welfare

Zero-grazing systems keep dairy cattle indoors year-round and cut and carry grass, with welfare implications that require careful management.

Key Facts

Zero-grazing dairy systems bring grass and forage to housed cattle
They allow precision management but deny cattle outdoor access and exercise
Cattle in zero-grazing systems may show higher lameness rates than pasture-access cows
Zero-grazing can reduce environmental impact per litre of milk produced
Some welfare indicators improve and others deteriorate compared with pasture access

Welfare Considerations

Zero-grazing systems deny cattle the welfare benefits of outdoor access - exercise, natural behaviour, social complexity, and environmental variation. While some operational parameters can be optimised, the absence of outdoor access represents a fundamental welfare limitation. Consumer labelling that distinguishes pasture-access from zero-grazing dairy is an important welfare transparency measure.

What You Can Do

Choose dairy products from farms with pasture access where possible
Support transparent labelling of dairy products indicating housing system
Advocate for grazing access requirements in high-welfare dairy standards