[taxcoder]

> again, using the phrasing 'finished' to distance the reader from the realities of it.

Generally, finishing refers to a final fattening or other feeding meant to prepare the animal for slaughter. For example, link 1 is one of the first that came up in a search for cattle finishing. Being able to finish half of their bull calves means they are keeping that many on their farm, likely on pasture and in sane conditions, rather than shipping them to feedlots.

Edit: They then ship them to the abbatoir for slaughter.

https://www.agriculture.com/livestock/cattle/to-capitalize-o...

[interestica]

Thanks for that. I learned something here.

On a related note, is 'abbatoir' the prefered term in the industry over 'slaughterhouse'?

[taxcoder]

In my experience1, it is more common in European writings. American usage seems to be mainly by those who reject the "industrial agricultural complex" in favor of farms which provide more natural environments and biodiversity.

1 I grew up on a small "grass farm" reading Stockman Grass Farmer, Joel Salatin's writings, etc. and still pay some attention to what goes on.