B.FLT.4007 - Feedlot animal welfare benchmarking

Summary

The objective of the project was to develop a framework of animal welfare benchmarking measures that can then be used by beef cattle feedlots to measure their welfare performance and track it over time, enabling animal welfare validation and improvement. Following a scientific review and consultation with the industry, a pilot framework of welfare measured was trialled over seven months in eight feedlots in Queensland, Western Australia, and South Australia.

Feedback from the feedlots involved and analysis of the data were used to refine a final proposed framework of animal welfare benchmarking measures to be available to the feedlot industry. Further research and development was recommended to enable electronic data collection and subsequently adoption for wider data collection to analyse industry-level data from welfare benchmarking and to identify target thresholds or the development of standards for feedlots.

The implementation of an evidence-based and broadly accepted animal welfare benchmarking framework will enable feedlot producers to track their performance in animal welfare over time, and for the feedlot industry to further demonstrate its commitment to good animal welfare management.

Objectives

1. Review major systems for animal welfare benchmarking in feedlot and relevant intensive livestock industries including their adoption rates, strengths and weaknesses.
2. Determine in consultation with ALFA and MLA the adoptable outcome for animal welfare benchmarking for the Australian feedlot industry.
3. Determine in consultation with ALFA and MLA the transparency of the system to wider industry and customers.
4. Determine the certification requirements in consultation with ALFA and MLA.
5. Consult industry, retailers and animal welfare experts for appropriate criteria for objective measurement of animal welfare.
6. Determine a list of measures and potential metrics, and potential thresholds (where possible) that encompasses animal welfare requirements and addresses key consumer concerns. These measures will be initially derived from the scientific literature and will be evidence-based where possible and refined by consultation with feedlot stakeholders.
7. Determine an index for meeting appropriate animal welfare on Australian feedlots.
8. Develop pilot ‘manual capture templates’ and protocols in consultation with an experienced feedlot manager and train feedlot staff on collection of measures prior to commencement of the pilot.
9. Pilot measures in seven feedlot supply chains and recommend the final framework to industry.
10. After completion of piloting make recommendations (where possible) of standardised assessment protocols for facilities, handling, transport, feeding including number of cattle/pens/trucks to be assessed.

Key findings

The Feedlot Welfare Assessment Framework Version 1.0 has been developed.

The welfare assessment framework has been developed considering the latest in animal welfare measures nominated by the research team, a global scan of welfare metrics, Australian Welfare Standards & Guidelines – Cattle & Land Transport and extensive consultation with Australian feedlot stakeholders.

The assessment framework collects a variety of protocol, environment, management and animal measures across the following areas:

• NFAS welfare protocols
• recommended welfare protocols
• general facilities
• loading and unloading from transport
• feedlot induction
• pen welfare assessments
• husbandry welfare assessments
• nutrition and feeding
• other animals
• abattoir feedback.

Further discussions are ongoing with the Australian Lot Feeders' Association on the standards, any further refinement, adoption and certification of the pilot framework.

Benefits to industry

The implementation of an evidence-based and broadly accepted animal welfare benchmarking framework will enable feedlot producers to track their performance in animal welfare over time, and for the feedlot industry to further demonstrate its commitment to good animal welfare management and a culture of enabling welfare assessment and improvement.

MLA action

MLA has presented the final report to the Australian Lot Feeders' Association for further discussion on options for standards, any further refinement, adoption and certification of the pilot framework.

Future research

Further research and development should focus on developing an electronic data capture platform (e.g., tablet-based), as well as research to analyse data captured over the first 1–2 years, based on monthly data capture of the benchmarking program, in order to identify target thresholds for key measures.