Farm Animal Welfare

Cattle Welfare and Beef Finishing: Space and Behaviour

Beef finishing in barley beef and feedlot systems restricts natural cattle behaviour. Adequate space and enrichment reduces frustration, aggression and welfare costs in finishing systems.

Key Facts

Beef finishing cattle in intensive systems may have space allowances as low as three square metres
Restricted movement in finishing systems prevents natural locomotion and exploratory behaviour
Aggression at feeding time increases with competition and inadequate trough space
Roughage provision in feedlot diets reduces rumen health problems and welfare issues
Finishing cattle on pasture or with outdoor access shows lower aggression and stereotypic behaviour

Welfare Considerations

Beef finishing welfare is often less visible than dairy welfare but equally significant. Space provision, roughage access and opportunities for natural behaviour during the finishing period are achievable welfare improvements.

What You Can Do

Choose pasture-finished or higher-welfare beef from farms with documented finishing welfare
Advocate for minimum space allowances in beef finishing welfare certification
Support research into enrichment and outdoor access for feedlot and housed beef cattle