Summary
This comparative field study assessed welfare outcomes in beef cattle managed under two contrasting systems: continuous housing (HH) versus seasonal housing with summer grazing (HG). Whilst physical health indicators were largely similar between systems, cattle with summer grazing access demonstrated significantly more positive behavioural profiles and lower nasal discharge prevalence, despite elevated hair cortisol concentrations. The findings suggest that seasonal grazing affords measurable welfare benefits to housed beef cattle, notwithstanding some physiological stress markers.
UK applicability
The study directly evaluates UK-relevant beef cattle management practices and provides evidence on welfare outcomes under British climatic conditions. The findings may inform farm management decisions and welfare assessment protocols in UK beef production systems, though applicability will depend on herd size, infrastructure and regional variation.
Key measures
Body condition, cleanliness, diarrhoea, hairlessness, nasal discharge, ocular discharge, hair cortisol, nasal mucus cortisol, serotonin, qualitative behaviour assessment (QBA principal components), performance metrics
Outcomes reported
The study compared physical health indicators, stress hormones, serotonin levels, behavioural assessments and performance metrics in two beef cattle herds managed under different housing regimes from weaning to slaughter. Housed-only cattle showed higher nasal discharge prevalence, whilst grazing-system cattle exhibited more positive behavioural indicators, particularly during summer months.
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