Feedlot acclimation study

Summary

Acclimation is a process of controlled human interaction with cattle that builds on the principles of low-stress stock handling, which is a work practice that has seen interest in grazing production systems, especially weaning management. In feedlots, proponents of acclimation suggest that adaptation and adjustment to the feedlot environment will be enhanced by these methods. Acclimation is held to better manage the psychological stressors associated with the abrupt introduction to a highly mechanised, highly human populated, production system with unfamiliar diet and sources of feed and water. Additionally, the socialisation stress for newly placed feeders as a consequence of commingling with strange pen mates is thought to be reduced by Acclimation.

To date, evidence for the benefits of acclimation in the feedlot industry has been intuitive, but anecdotal. A review of scientific literature (Cusack, 2013) concluded there were inadequate robust, controlled studies to support putative effects of acclimation in feedlot cattle. Therefore, the feedlot industry requested a fully replicated scientific assessment of the process, and this was undertaken at five large scale commercial sites. The main aim of the project was to determine if there are any health, welfare, or production benefits of acclimation in feedlot cattle.