Key points:
The Australian Lot Feeders’ Association (ALFA) has announced an initiative to encourage all feedlots to provide cattle with access to shade.
ALFA’s shade initiative builds on industry’s commitment to animal welfare and continual improvement.
Shade enables cattle to display natural shade seeking behaviour and aids animal comfort.
Getting the design right is key to gaining maximum benefit from shade structures.
The welfare of animals in feedlots is the highest priority for feedlot operators and Australian Lot Feeders' Association (ALFA).
A key element of ensuring this is the provision of shade, with ALFA determining that cattle in Australian feedlots should have access to shade by 2026.
In this video, ALFA-MLA Technical Services Officer Jeff House talks about why shade is important, and how to decide the best system for your operation.
Lot Feeder Resources:
Visit the ALFA Shade Hub for useful resources.
Download a copy of MLA’s Beef cattle feedlots: design and construction manual.
Background:
The Australian Lot Feeders’ Association (ALFA) is the peak national body representing the Australian cattle feedlot industry and works towards delivering a profitable and sustainable feedlot industry recognised and valued by the community for producing quality certified grain fed beef to the highest ethical, environmental, humane and animal welfare standards.
ALFA is proud to have a strong membership base who collectively represent over 80 per cent of Australia’s cattle feedlot capacity.
There are 390 cattle feedlots with a combined capacity of 1.4 million head who employ 2,000 people directly in regional Australia.
ALFA estimates that currently 60 per cent of feedlot capacity already has shade installed.