Road transport conditions of slaughter cattle: Effects on the prevalence of dark, firm and dry beef

Abstract

TThis is a benchmark study to investigate slaughter cattle transportation conditions in Canada. Data collected included: season; temperature variation; truck ventilation; transport conditions; length of time in transit; trucker training and experience hauling cattle; number of lots and whether lots were separated; sex and whether sexes were separated on mixed loads; cattle unloading gait score; cattle handling score; cattle weight and number of dark cutters. Information was collected on approximately 50 000 animals transported by 1363 trucks. The prevalence of dark cutters (mean = 2% per truckload) was highest in mixed loads, followed by heifers and steers. Mixed loads that were not separated (steers and heifers in the same compartment) had a greater prevalence of dark cutters than mixed loads that were separated. The GLIMMIX procedure in SAS 9.1 was used for the analysis of the risk factors associated with dark cutters. Province of origin, cattle unloading speed, driver training, truck ventilation, trucking experience, sex, origin (sale barn or feedlot) and whether or not cattle were held in lairage overnight were all significant predictors for dark cutting beef.