The impact of housing characteristics on welfare and performance of beef cattle

The critical issues pertaining to welfare of housed beef cattle identified by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Commission include, space allowance and flooring.

Cathy McGettigan, Mark McGee, Edward O’Riordan, Alan Kelly and Bernadette Earley

The critical issues pertaining to welfare of housed beef cattle identified by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the European Commission include, space allowance and flooring. Recently, concern for the welfare of ‘finishing’ cattle accommodated indoors, particularly in relation to space allowance and floor type, has been expressed at EU and OIE level. There is also the view that conventional slatted floors without access to lying-areas should be replaced by more ‘animal-friendly’ systems.

However, previous research shows that there is no evidence of improved welfare or performance to support an increase in space allowance above the standard recommendations for ‘finishing’ beef cattle housed indoors during the winter. A key objective of our present research is to examine the impact of floor type on the welfare and performance of beef cattle, and to quantify the financial implications of alternative options.  Our present research will address the issues relating to floor type so that evidenced-based information is available to inform future policies.

Acknowledgement: Post-graduate, Cathy McGettigan, is a Walsh Scholar on RMIS 0344