Page 235 - The Welfare of Cattle

212 the WeLfare of CattLe

as nutritional needs, health and disease, pain control and painful procedures, and transportation and
euthanasia will be covered briefly again in this chapter as they are all relevant to feedlot production
and will be considered in the context of rearing cattle in an intensive setting.

the FeeDLOt PrODUCtION SYSteM

Cattle production in North America can be broken into two sectors: the cow–calf sector which
represents an extensive production system and the feedlot sector representing an intensive production
system. Intensive systems typically require more vigilant and regular management specific to ani-
mal housing and environment, feeding, and health and welfare related to animal confinement. The
main goal of feedlot production is to grow (background) and or fatten (finish) cattle (as efficiently
and economically as possible) until slaughter weight where they are sold to processors who sell beef
into the retail market. For the purpose of this chapter, a feedlot will be defined as a feeding opera-
tion where cattle are fed for backgrounding and finishing in a confined area. Feedlots can range in
size from as few as 50 and up to 150,000 head of cattle or greater at a single point in time (one time
capacity). It should be noted that the welfare issues described in the following sections are relevant
to all feedlot cattle regardless of the size of the operation.
Feedlot cattle (steers and heifers) are predominantly beef breeds; however, dairy steers can
also be fed for slaughter as well as cows culled from the breeding herd, although this is less com-
mon. Heifers and steers are penned separately to avoid issues associated with sexual behaviors and
feeding management. Bulls are typically not fed for slaughter due to management issues associated
with aggression, wear on facilities and discounts at the time of marketing due to perceived issues
in meat quality. A very small portion of feedlots specialize in feeding bulls. This has the welfare
benefit of not having to castrate as well as the economic benefit of improved market weights similar
to management practices in Europe. The welfare benefits of not castrating must be balanced against
potential injuries associated with fighting, if the cattle are not managed properly, in small stable
groups. Cattle typically enter the feedlot as weaned calves or as yearlings that have been grazed on
pasture to a higher weight. Calves are at greater risk of welfare concerns due to their management
and more fragile condition. Welfare issues associated with the different phases of feedlot production
as well as management practices prior to entering the feedlot will be discussed.

WeLFare ISSUeS reLateD tO MarKetING aND the traNSItION
OF CattLe BetWeeN the raNCh aND FeeDLOt

One cannot discuss the potential welfare issues associated with feedlot production without a
thorough understanding of the impact that the previous management and marketing of calves and
yearlings has on their health and welfare once they have entered the feedlot. The following section
will provide an overview of specific management practices that are known to increase stress in
calves/yearlings and which have the potential to lead to negative welfare outcomes in the feedlot.
The way in which the transition between the ranch and the feedlot is managed is a strong predictor
of cattle health and welfare in the feedlot.

Pre-marketing Management

Processing on the Ranch

Processing refers to the handling of cattle for the purpose of conducting routine procedures
necessary for optimal health, welfare, and management. The most common routine procedures