There are around 400 accredited feedlots in Australia. Queensland has the highest concentration, with around 60% of the nation’s feedlots, followed by New South Wales with 30%.
The most recent numbers show that there are over 1.2 million cows on a feedlot at any one time in Australia. Around 750,000 of these cows are in Queensland.
Yes. Around 80% of beef that is sold in Australian supermarkets is sourced from the feedlot sector. Around 40% of Australia’s overall beef supply is from feedlots.
Cows can remain on feedlots for anywhere between 70 to 450+ days.
There is no legal requirement to provide shade at Australian feedlots. Of the feedlots that we have featured on this site, 42% do not provide any shade or shelter.
In these crowded and often unsanitary conditions, cows and sheep are deprived of their natural behaviours and living spaces. They are confined to small areas, leading to increased stress, injuries, and susceptibility to diseases. The use of growth-promoting hormones and antibiotics further compounds the health risks for these animals. Additionally, the lack of space for movement and natural grazing deprives them of essential exercise and proper nutrition. Consequently, feedlots contribute to the suffering and poor welfare of the animals within them.
Animals in feedlots risk developing heat stress, diseases, lameness, and digestive disorders. Diseases prevalent among sheep and cows in feedlots encompass a spectrum of health issues, primarily stemming from the intensive and crowded conditions within these facilities. Respiratory diseases, notably Bovine Respiratory Disease (BRD), pose a significant threat due to viral and bacterial pathogens, leading to pneumonia and respiratory distress. Digestive disorders, including acidosis, bloat, and enterotoxemia, are common, and exacerbated by the consumption of high-energy diets. Metabolic disorders such as ketosis and fatty liver syndrome may arise from dietary imbalances during the transition to concentrated feeds. Lameness and foot disorders can occur due to poor hoof health and unsuitable flooring surfaces. Additionally, parasitic infections, both internal and external, further impact the health of animals in feedlots.
Feedlot operations are environmentally damaging because of the enormous grain input required and waste output generated. In Australia, a significant portion of grain production is used for livestock feed. The exact proportion can vary from year to year depending on factors such as weather conditions, market demand, and government policies. However, historically, around 60-70% of Australia's total grain production is typically used for livestock feed, with the remainder being used for human consumption, seed, or other industrial purposes. Many experts say that because cow stomachs evolved to eat grass, feeding them soy or corn results in more greenhouse gas emissions.
Dangerous effluent spillage is also of particular concern, with many feedlots being built in flood-hazard areas and extremely close to waterways. Heavy rainfall often causes effluent ponds to spill over, meaning that raw, untreated sewage runs into the environment, into waterways, into forests and onto the properties of neighbouring farmers.
Effluent pond spills can cause significant damage to the environment due to the release of large volumes of untreated waste into surrounding ecosystems. These spills often contain a mixture of animal waste, chemicals, antibiotics, hormones, and pathogens, which can have several detrimental effects:
- Water Pollution: Spills contaminate nearby water bodies such as rivers, streams, and groundwater, leading to pollution. The excess nutrients in the effluent, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, can cause eutrophication, leading to algal blooms and oxygen depletion, which harms aquatic life. When you see bright green water, this is often caused by algal blooms.
- Soil Contamination: When effluent spills onto land, it can seep into the soil, contaminating it with pollutants and pathogens. This can degrade soil quality, reduce fertility, and harm plants and soil organisms.
- Toxicity: Effluent often contains harmful chemicals and pathogens that can directly poison or infect wildlife, aquatic organisms, and plants. This can lead to illness, reproductive problems, and even death among affected species.
- Habitat Destruction: The physical presence of effluent can smother habitats and disrupt ecosystems, affecting the survival of plants and animals that depend on those habitats. Additionally, the altered chemical composition of the environment can disrupt the balance of species and lead to biodiversity loss.
Overall, effluent pond spills represent a serious threat to environmental health and can have far-reaching consequences for ecosystems, wildlife, and human communities.
Feedlots also use astronomical amounts of water, further threatening water security. Feedlots require substantial amounts of water for cows and sheep to drink, for cleaning, and other operational needs. This high water demand can strain local water resources, particularly in areas already facing water scarcity or competing demands for water from other property owners.
Effluent in feedlots refers to the liquid waste generated from various sources within the facility, primarily from the animals themselves and from the cleaning and washing activities associated with feedlot operations. This liquid waste typically consists of:
- Animal Waste: Livestock in feedlots produce urine and faeces as part of their metabolic processes. In the confined environment of feedlot pens, these wastes accumulate and contribute to the effluent. The waste contains organic matter, nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus, pathogens, antibiotics, and hormones.
- Cleaning and Wash Water: Feedlots require regular cleaning and sanitation to maintain hygiene and prevent the spread of diseases among animals. Water is used for tasks such as washing feed bunks, alleys, and equipment, as well as flushing manure and waste from pens. This water, along with any residues and contaminants it picks up, contributes to the effluent.
The majority of feedlots will water crops with this effluent, which can cause runoff into waterways and onto neighbouring properties. High rainfall can cause effluent ponds to spill over, leading to effluent spilling into the environment.
Effluent management is a significant environmental concern in feedlot operations due to the potential for contamination of water bodies and soil if not properly managed.
Yes. The capacity at Australian feedlots is at an all-time high, at over 1.5 million. More feedlots are being developed and expanded because of their role in ‘drought-proofing’ the beef industry and meeting the demand for premium marbled beef in key export markets. Governments support this expansion as feedlots are seen as integral to the beef industry’s long-term viability, despite its extensive damage to waterways with excrement, ammonia, pathogens, and antibiotics.
Feedlots can pose several threats to human health through various ways:
- Antibiotic Resistance: The widespread use of antibiotics in feedlots to promote animal growth and prevent diseases can contribute to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. These bacteria can spread to humans through direct contact with animals, consumption of contaminated meat or animal products, or environmental exposure to antibiotic residues and resistant bacteria.
- Water Contamination: Poorly managed feedlot waste, including animal manure and effluent, can contaminate surface water and groundwater with pathogens, nutrients, antibiotics, and other pollutants. Effluent spills risk human health through the contamination of drinking water sources, recreational areas, and agricultural land. Exposure to pathogens, antibiotics, and other pollutants can cause illnesses and pose long-term health risks to communities living near affected areas.
- Air Quality: Feedlots emit various air pollutants, including particulate matter, ammonia, hydrogen sulphide, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and endotoxins, which can degrade air quality in surrounding areas. Prolonged exposure to air pollutants from feedlots may increase the risk of respiratory problems, exacerbate existing respiratory conditions, and irritate the eyes, nose, and throat in nearby communities.
- Zoonotic Diseases: Close proximity between humans and animals in feedlots increases the risk of transmission of zoonotic diseases, which are infections that can spread from animals to humans. Examples of zoonotic diseases associated with feedlot operations include influenza viruses, Cryptosporidium, and Q fever. Direct contact with animals, contaminated surfaces, or aerosols containing infectious agents can lead to human infections and illnesses.
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