B.FLT.4014-Animal welfare benefits of feedlot shade - a short review
Providing shade is an important component of feedlot animal welfare.
| Project start date: | 01 October 2020 |
| Project end date: | 30 May 2021 |
| Publication date: | 29 July 2021 |
| Project status: | Completed |
| Livestock species: | Grain-fed Cattle |
| Relevant regions: | Cold wet, Dry, Mediterranean, Tropical warm season wet, Sub-tropical moist, Sub-tropical sub-humid, Temperate, Temperate sub-humid, Tropical Moist, Tropical wet |
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Summary
MLA and the Australian Lot Feeders’ Association (ALFA) identified a need for an increase in industry knowledge and understanding of the animal welfare benefits of providing shade in grain-fed beef feedlots.
This review, and associated factsheet developed from the review, provides lot feeders and advisors with an improved understanding of the contribution of shade provision to animal welfare and an evaluation of the available options and benefits of providing shade for feedlot cattle across seasons and geographical regions.
Objectives
- Produce a short review for lot feeders on the animal welfare benefits of shade.
- Criteria to assess optimal welfare of feedlot cattle.
- Define if shade seeking is a normal behaviour for beef cattle (in both feedlot and grazing environments) based on the published literature.
- Describe animal welfare responses of feedlot cattle (in both Bos indicus and Bos Taurus breeds) to provision of shade in the published literature.
- If shade is beneficial for animal welfare, propose management strategies to optimise welfare of cattle provided with shade across seasons and geographical regions.
- Develop a fact sheet for feedlot extension.
Key findings
The review defined several benefits of providing shade:
- improved freedom of choice for normal shade seeking behaviour
- alleviation of possible thirst and dehydration
- mitigation of possible thermal discomfort
- reduction of possible pain and disease
- a decrease in possible fear and distress.
Benefits to industry
Better industry understanding of this issue will ensure continuous improvement of animal welfare, which is essential for maintaining consumer and community support for grain-fed beef.
MLA action
MLA has extended this information to all NFAS accredited feedlots (via the Australian Lot Feeders' Association) and also presented this at the ALFA Shade Webinar in November 2020.
Future research
MLA is currently implementing shade and shelter trials in temperate regions of Australia to understand animal welfare and productivity responses.
More information
| Project manager: | Joe McMeniman |
| Contact email: | reports@mla.com.au |
