Australia Shades 1.3M Feedlot Cattle in Welfare Push

Queensland cattleman Bryce Camm just finished a three-year project that stretched 7 kilometers and cost $3.3 million. His family's feedlot near Dalby now shelters 25,000 cattle under shade cloth, protecting them from Australia's brutal heat.

"Happy cattle are productive cattle," Camm says. The investment pays off through better animal welfare, improved productivity, and stronger public confidence in his industry.

Camm isn't alone. According to a new report from the Australian Lot Feeders' Association, 1.3 million cattle across the country now have access to shade. That's 75% of all feedlot animals, a massive jump from 56% just five years ago.

The push started after heat-related cattle deaths made headlines in the early 2000s. The industry responded by spending over $6 million on heat stress research and encouraging feedlots nationwide to install shade structures.

In 2020, the association set an ambitious goal: provide shade to all feedlot cattle by 2026. While that target hasn't been fully met, current president Grant Garey says the momentum is building. The sector estimates 85% of cattle will have shade access by 2029.

The science backs up the investment. Recent studies show that even in cooler regions, shaded cattle regulate body temperature better and show improved health markers. Feedlots keep cattle on grain-based diets for 50 to 120 days before processing, and keeping them comfortable during that time matters.

Some animal welfare advocates argue shade should be mandatory, not voluntary. While Australian states require livestock owners to provide sufficient shelter, shade isn't explicitly required by law. A national animal welfare strategy coming in 2027 may address the gap.

The Ripple Effect

The shade initiative is part of a broader transformation in how Australia's feedlot industry operates. Consumer concern about grain-fed cattle has dropped steadily since 2013, with a sharp decline after 2021. Trust in the red meat industry hit a record high in 2025.

Garey credits the shift to visible commitments like shade installation. When consumers see producers investing millions in animal comfort, perceptions change. The industry's focus on ethics and humane treatment is resonating with Australians who care where their food comes from.

The feedlot sector around Dalby holds 46% of Australia's total feedlot capacity, making it ground zero for the shade revolution. As climate change brings hotter temperatures, the structures Camm and others are building today will matter even more tomorrow.

For now, more than a million cattle are resting in the shade, proof that doing right by animals and doing good business can go hand in hand.