Ganzjährige Freilandhaltung von Rindern

All-year range beef cattle keeping is a low-cost method, which is widespread in Northeast and Middle Hill regions of Germany. Though there is no winter stabling, animal adaptation to heat loss due to winter weather must be supported by suitable keeping measures. These are littered, wind-protected lying areas and sufficient body energy reserves. Forms of adaptation to heat loss in winter are a reduction in movement activity and more frequenting of the feeding place. Here the turf is completely destroyed, combined with high excrement pollution. To avoid high N-inputs into deeper subsoil, litter must be used at central feeding places. Another solution is decentralised feeding and supplying "feed from the stem." Within the framework of preventive consumer protection, monitoring systems are being developed, which regularly assess animal welfare and eco-friendliness.