Abstract
Societal concerns about sustainability and animal welfare in commercial livestock production systems exist, with over one million cattle on-feed in Australia. Despite the welfare challenges, no recognised welfare assessment protocol for the industry exists. This paper describes an industry-driven welfare benchmarking framework for lot-fed cattle that was piloted in eight feedlots across three states. A pen-side monthly assessment strategy including forty-eight measures capturing the health, behaviour and demeanour of livestock was developed. Analysis compared the environmental and management measures on cattle behaviour within home pens. The timing of data collection (early morning and mid-afternoon) and sample size (2 pens and 3 replicate pens, per feed program and breed) were recommended with variability in some outcomes (e.g., cattle activity and rest) found between visits, feedlot, observation time, and feed program. Adoption of an evidence-based welfare benchmarking framework enables producers to track their performance over time, and the industry to further drive animal welfare improvement.