Animal welfare: feedlots

Confinement of beef cattle makes it possible to increase the productive efficiency of the herd, with a reduction in slaughter age, better carcass finish and, consequently, higher yields, obtaining a high financial return when carried out carefully and effectively. These advantages, combined with animal welfare, have a positive influence on the characteristics of the final product.

Bearing in mind the importance of the animals' quality of life for their performance and considering that confinement can be a challenging environment, especially at first, since they are adapted to life on pasture, it is essential that certain precautions are taken. Among these, the most favorable are: adjusting the cattle to the new diet and to the use of the trough, daily feeding times, periodic cleaning of feeders and drinkers, adequate stocking, availability of shade, daily health checks, observation of the degree of dirtiness of the animals and more direct contact with humans. To this end, the employees involved in these activities must be constantly trained and equipped to handle observe and understand the cattle in order to maintain a good level of welfare and increase productivity. These points are decisive in characterizing humane and profitable production.

What are the evaluation criteria for the Confinar BEM program? 

The audit is made up of main criteria, which are requirements assessed in the field and have a direct influence on animal welfare. These are divided into:            -

• Nutrition: trough/animal space, cleanliness of troughs and troughs, assessment of feces and body condition score, identification of waste animals.
• Health: animal treatment, tympanism, lameness, ear and nose discharge, coughing, sneezing, diarrhea, conditions of use and disposal of needles.
• Environment: animal density, drinking and feeding troughs in good condition, care taken with the depth of the mud, concentration of dust in the air, shading.
• Behavior: observation of attempts to mount, chase or fights.
• Embarkation, disembarkation, and reception: dock and handling corral in good condition, Reception corrals should have shade, a hayloft for offering bulk food and water that is easily accessible.
• Acts of neglect and/or abuse or mistreatment: observation during assessments of animal husbandry and handling conditions.
• Euthanasia: functional equipment and detailed description of procedures.
• Handling troop: assessment of hoof problems or lameness, injuries or wounds, equine body condition score.  
  
  The secondary criteria are the requirements assessed in the documentary part, through described protocols and supporting records of the confinement.

What are the certification criteria for the Confinar BEM program??

The Program has three levels of certification, gold, silver and bronze.

The feedlot must obtain a minimum compliance score in the main criteria of ≥ 70% for requirements classified in the standard as "critical", "major" and "minor", regardless of the certification level. In addition, to obtain Gold Level certification, the feedlot must have more than 50% of the pens available for shade; Silver Level, 25 to 50% of the pens available for shade; and Bronze Level, less than 25%, including no shade. 

During the audit, items classified as intentional acts of abuse or negligence cannot be identified, as this will result in the audit automatically failing. In the case of non-conformities classified as critical, they must be stopped immediately, where applicable, and an action plan with corrective measures must be presented. Secondary requirements have no influence on the certification decision.

Why choose Animal Welfare Certification for feedlots??

Animal Welfare Certification brings several benefits to those involved, including:  

• Transparency of the production process.
• Guaranteed implementation of good management practices that guarantee animal welfare.
• The possibility of improving the performance of confined animals by reducing morbidity and mortality rates.
• Taking a leading role in promoting the concept of sustainable production.
• Generate credibility and attract new partners, as in the case of boitel, for example.

Why choose QIMA/WQS for Animal Welfare certification for feedlots?

• Our team, with over 30 years' experience in the food industry supply chain, is ready to deliver quality end-to-end solutions for your business.
• Specializing in the food sector, QIMA/WQS has a structure designed to get you started quickly and is ready to answer any questions you may have along the way.
• We have the QIMA/WQS Animal Welfare Seal, communicating clearly and directly to the end consumer about the strict auditing and certification process the company has undergone.
• More than 9,000 satisfied customers at all stages of the food chain are proof of the quality, dedication and success offered by QIMA/WQS.