Farm Animal Welfare

Cattle Lairage Welfare Management

Lairage - holding cattle before slaughter - is a critical welfare window where appropriate management reduces stress and improves welfare at slaughter.

Key Facts

Cattle in lairage show declining stress hormones if given adequate rest, water, and space
Overnight lairage with rest reduces dark-cutting meat and welfare compromise simultaneously
Mixing unfamiliar cattle in lairage causes aggression that elevates stress hormones
Veterinary inspection at lairage identifies welfare problems requiring attention before slaughter
Good lighting, non-slip flooring, and adequate space significantly improve lairage welfare

Welfare Considerations

Lairage welfare determines the experience of cattle in the final hours of their lives. Rest, water access, familiar companions, and competent handling in this period makes a material difference to individual welfare at a critical time.

What You Can Do

Support mandatory welfare assessment in lairage as part of slaughter welfare certification
Advocate for CCTV coverage in lairage areas alongside slaughter hall monitoring
Choose beef from supply chains with documented lairage welfare standards