Filename: WAM30389 Headline: Male cattle sleep in groups in mud and feces at a fattening yard, also known as an Animal Feeding Operation (AFO). Penned bulls, steers, and oxen live here for approximately 90 days, where they are intensively fed and gain about 300 kilograms of weight before the yard sends them to slaughter. The animals live in their own filth, which in some places is knee-deep, and they have no shelter from the elements. Sub-Saharan Africa, 2022. Jo-Anne McArthur / Sibanye Trust / We Animals Description: This beef fattening facility, also often referred to as an Animal Feeding Operation (AFO), is located in farming land 130 km from a national capital. Our photojournalist joined a manager in his office, and he briefly explained the day-to-day operations, which also includes running an on-site slaughterhouse. The yards can hold up to 600 cattle. On this day, there were 380, of which 20 percent were bulls. The images show that the pens are exposed to the elements and without shade, and the animals are standing ankle-deep, sometimes almost knee-deep, in feces and shallow pools. At the time of the shoot, there were no biosecurity precautions in the pen areas, but the manager said that all animals are quarantined for their first seven days and that there are very few casualties, which maximizes their business. Maize is grown in the surrounding fields which is mixed with wheat sheaths, rice flour, proteins, nutrients, molasses and other grains to fatten the cattle each day. The farmers are proud of the feed provided to the animals, who are full breeds and cross breeds. The feedlot's aim is to increase the weight of the cattle by 300 kg before slaughter, which typically takes 90 days. Their average profit per animal is $1,126 USD, which is divided between the feedlot and the animals' owner. Weekends are a busy time for visitors and buyers. Local buyers assess the animals ahead of a purchase, and once their selection is made the animal is killed, packed and shipped. Internationals buy from them as well. Area of Focus: Food Systems,Farmed Animals Supplemental categories: Feedlots, Food Systems Country: Sub-Saharan Africa Photographer/Filmmaker: Jo-Anne McArthur Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / Sibanye Trust / We Animals Year: 2022 License Type(s): Non-Commercial Use, Commercial Use Release status: No release WA Keywords: Scientific name: Bos taurus Size: 8256px X 5504px

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