Farm Animal Welfare

Cattle Welfare and Outdoor Access

Outdoor access for cattle provides significant welfare benefits through exercise, environmental complexity, and natural behaviour. Understanding the welfare case supports outdoor access advocacy.

Key Facts

Cattle on pasture show lower lameness rates than continuously housed cattle
Outdoor access allows natural grazing behaviour including selective foraging
Exercise on pasture reduces leg and claw health problems
Soil and vegetation contact satisfies exploratory and comfort behaviours
Consumer demand for pasture-based dairy is growing in many markets

Welfare Considerations

Outdoor pasture access provides a welfare environment that housing cannot fully replicate. Supporting pasture-based systems and advocating for outdoor access standards reflects the welfare evidence.

What You Can Do

Choose pasture-based dairy and beef products certified to outdoor access standards
Support certification schemes with meaningful outdoor access requirements
Advocate for minimum outdoor access standards in dairy and beef legislation
Learn about the welfare benefits of pasture access for cattle