Implementation of industry-oriented animal welfare and quality assurance assessment tools in commercial cattle feeding operations

Abstract

Consumer interest in production agriculture continues to prompt the beef industry to develop tools to increase the accountability of management practices. The purpose of this study was to implement an industry-driven assessment tool, which with the documentation of current practices within the commercial cattle feeding industry, could be used to establish benchmarks for animal health, welfare, and food safety. An assessment tool developed by veterinarians, animal scientists, and production specialists was used to objectively evaluate key areas of beef cattle production including but not limited to animal handling, antimicrobial residue avoidance, cattle comfort, and food safety in feedyards.