Feedlot finishing systems for beef cattle concentrate large numbers of animals in confined pens, creating welfare challenges around health, behaviour and environment.
Feedlot cattle experience limited space to perform natural locomotory behaviours, are exposed to extremes of heat and cold without adequate shade or windbreaks, and are at elevated risk of respiratory and digestive disease under intensive conditions. The transition from pasture to high-grain feedlot diets causes rumen acidosis risk. Providing shade, shelter and enrichment substrates substantially improves welfare outcomes at manageable cost.