Adequate ventilation in cattle housing is essential for respiratory health and thermal comfort, yet poor ventilation remains a major welfare issue on many farms.
Cattle in poorly ventilated buildings endure respiratory irritation, elevated pathogen loads and thermal discomfort. BRD causes significant suffering — fever, laboured breathing and pleurisy. Young stock are most vulnerable. Housing design assessment tools can identify ventilation deficits before health problems emerge. Welfare outcomes improve markedly in well-designed, naturally ventilated buildings with appropriate stocking densities.