Animal welfare is top priority.

Cattle feeders care about their cattle, and they are committed to providing a safe and wholesome food supply for a growing population. Healthy cattle are the foundation of a healthy food supply, which is why cattlemen and women are constantly improving in all areas of their operations.

Many different tools are used in a feedyard to keep cattle happy and healthy. These tools include nutrition programs, veterinary care, good management practices, vaccines and antibiotics, when necessary. Cattle feeders work with veterinarians to manage animal health at the feedyard. Antibiotics in cattle feeding are selected and used under the supervision of a veterinarian. They are used carefully in accordance with FDA guidelines to protect both cattle and humans.

Cattle care Fact

Healthy cattle begin with proper nutrition. Whether out on grass or in a feedyard, cattlemen and women work with professional nutritionists to make sure cattle receive the right balance of energy, protein, vitamins and minerals. 

No matter the tools, when it comes to animal health, the practices are science-based, regulated and, most-importantly, good for the animal and the consumer. ​​

Meet a cattle feeder

How do cattle feeders keep cattle healthy? It begins with proper nutrition. Cattle feeders work with nutritionists to make sure the cattle in their care receive a balanced diet. This maximizes health and growth. Diets usually consist of a combination of corn, roughage and local renewable byproducts. Cattle eat three times a day at feed bunks, and they have constant access to clean water. 

Cattle Care Fact

96% of TCFA feedyard capacity is certified under TCFA's BQA program. In order to be certified, feedyards must meet strict requirements and undergo an audit by TCFA and be verified by a third-party expert. 

When it comes to cattle health and well-being, no one cares more than the cattlemen and women who care for them. Cattle feeders have a long-standing commitment to providing safe and wholesome beef to consumers all over the world. That commitment is backed by TCFA’s Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) program — the first of its kind and the foundation for beef quality assurance efforts in place in nearly every state. The BQA program trains cattle producers on proper care and handling procedures. This industry-developed and science-backed program ensures consumers that cattle in a feedyard are cared for under good management and optimum conditions.