Summer Housing and Turnout: Cattle Welfare Evidence

The decision to turn cattle out to pasture in summer or maintain them in housing involves important welfare trade-offs related to natural behaviour, nutrition, health, and environmental factors.

Key Facts

UK dairy cows are typically housed in winter (approximately October to March) and turned out in spring
Year-round housing (zero grazing) systems are increasing, with economic and management advantages cited
Cows turned out to pasture spend more time grazing and lying, and show lower somatic cell counts in some studies
Pasture-based systems improve hoof health by reducing contact time on concrete flooring
The EU's proposed animal welfare legislation includes minimum pasture access requirements for dairy cattle

Welfare Considerations

Access to pasture in summer provides dairy cows with opportunities for natural grazing behaviour that is strongly motivated and rarely expressed in housed systems. Cows show preference for pasture when given the choice, particularly during early summer when grass quality is highest. Restrictions on turnout due to ground condition management or production system decisions deny cows this important welfare resource. The welfare benefits of pasture access must be weighed against risks including solar photosensitisation in susceptible animals and exposure to vector-borne diseases, but the balance strongly favours access where conditions allow.

What You Can Do

Choose dairy products from pasture-assured certification schemes such as Pasture Promise
Advocate for minimum pasture access requirements in dairy welfare legislation and certification
Support research into pasture-based systems that optimise welfare while managing production challenges
Engage with retailers and food companies about sourcing from grazing dairy systems