Zero grazing systems where cattle have no outdoor access require excellent management of feeding, housing comfort and environmental enrichment to compensate for the absence of grazing behaviour.
Zero grazing represents a significant welfare challenge because it eliminates grazing - a fundamental behaviour that cattle are strongly motivated to perform. Compensatory measures including excellent housing comfort, ad libitum forage, social groups and environmental management can partially offset this. However, the welfare case for outdoor access where disease management and weather allow is strong.