Transport Of Cattle Research Articles

The influence of loading, road transport, unloading and time in lairage on body temperature in finished feedlot steers

Context Transport of cattle can be stressful and may lead to increased body temperature. It is necessary to quantify the effect of transport on body temperature so that informed management decisions can be made. Aims This study aimed to determine the effects of a 5.5 h, 430 km road transport journey on body temperature (TB) of feedlot steers. Methods Body temperature was obtained at 30 min intervals. All cattle were weighed and randomly allocated to a truck pen prior to transport. Cattle were transported on a single B-double truck, with three upper-deck and three lower-deck compartments. At 0630 hours, cattle were walked from their pens (25 m), weighed and loaded onto the truck. Loading was completed by 1030 hours. Key results During the weighing and loading process prior to transport, mean TB increased from 39.37 ± 0.11°C to 40.21 ± 0.11°C. Immediately following loading, mean TB increased. The TB of cattle on the upper deck was 40.96 ± 0.08°C and on the lower deck 40.89 ± 0.08°C (P = 0.6299). During the first 3 h of the journey, the TB of lower-deck cattle decreased by 1.14°C (P < 0.01), compared with a 0.83°C reduction in cattle on the upper deck. Over the duration of the journey, which took 1 h longer than expected, the mean TB of the cattle on the upper deck (40.47 ± 0.11°C) was greater (P < 0.0001) than that on the lower deck (40.04 ± 0.12°C). One hour after unloading at the abattoir, pooled TB was 40.26 ± 0.12°C. Minimum TB (38.87 ± 0.04°C) occurred at 10.5 h after unloading. Conclusions The results from this study highlight that increases in TB were more associated with cattle handling and loading events, rather than transport, under these environmental conditions. Understanding the magnitude of this increase will help managers decide on pre- and post- transport management of cattle. Implications Cattle handling and loading for transport may lead to an increase in TB, which can remain elevated for a number of hours. However, it is unclear what the impact of hotter climatic conditions would have on trailer microclimate and, as such, TB regulation during road transport.

Opportunities to Improve Animal Welfare during Transport and Slaughter of Cattle and Pigs through Staff Training-Results of a Delphi Survey.

To improve animal welfare for cattle and pigs during transport and at slaughter, online training modules for all staff including employees in the lairage pen, the slaughter line as well as animal welfare officers are developed at Freie Universität Berlin, Germany. Before starting the development of these modules, an expert elicitation survey using a modified Delphi approach was performed to identify action points considered most relevant for animal welfare during transport and slaughter, and as having the potential for improvement through training. In total, 49 participating experts rated predetermined action points of each step in the transport and slaughter process in two survey rounds. The rating scale included numbers 0 (='not relevant', respectively 'no possibility of improvement') to 10 (='very relevant', respectively 'very high possibility of improvement'). None of the action points were rated with a median score of less than 5. Assessment of fitness for transport, unloading at the abattoir, handling at stunning and exsanguination were amongst the highest rated action points, and were therefore selected to develop online training modules. The Delphi approach was seen as a valuable method to include external expertise to select the most relevant action points for the development of online training modules.

Animal Welfare during Transport and Slaughter of Cattle: A Systematic Review of Studies in the European Legal Framework.

Literature related to European transport and slaughter processes were included in this systematic review. The publication period is limited to the past twelve years since the European Animal Welfare Transport Regulation was enacted in 2009. Three different databases were used. The final screening resulted in the inclusion of 19 articles in this review. When handling cattle during transport and slaughter, personnel have an important impact and may inflict stress on the animals. Other factors, such as the group composition and health status prior to transport, can have a strong negative effect on animal welfare. At the abattoir, constructional conditions and the resulting environmental influences can have a negative impact on welfare as well. These include increased noise levels due to the lack of noise dampening and changing light conditions. Stress in cattle can be assessed, e.g., by measuring stress hormones or heart rate. Effective stunning is an important welfare-relevant step in the slaughtering process. Some signs of unconsciousness, such as immediate body collapse or absence of the corneal reflex, can be easily assessed. Expertise and continuous training of all personnel involved are important measures in stress reduction.

Farmers Views on the Implementation of On-Farm Emergency Slaughter for the Management of Acutely Injured Cattle in Ireland.

Four management options for acutely injured cattle in Ireland exist: treatment, unless cattle are severely injured; on-farm emergency slaughter (OFES); casualty slaughter (CS) if the animal is certified fit for transport; or euthanasia. OFES is designed to prevent transport of welfare-compromised cattle. An online survey of farmers in Ireland was carried out between April and July 2021 and focused on events during 2020. A theoretical framework of capacity, willingness, and opportunity was used to explore farmers' perceptions. Responses from 94 farmers (49 dairy and 45 beef) were analysed; not all respondents answered all questions. Respondents indicated that the incidence of acutely injured cattle in Ireland is low. A majority reported not having an acutely injured animal for greater than 36 months. Most respondents had a positive attitude towards OFES for animal welfare reasons and were aware of relevant regulations and guidelines. Barriers to OFES included a lack of availability of OFES, and dairy farmers indicated that it had a similar financial impact as euthanasia. A parallel study with veterinarians indicated a higher incidence of acutely injured cattle in Ireland; the current results may be due to the demographic or the sensitivity of the topic. Nationwide electronic data capture on the cause of mortality could support improvements in the management of acutely injured cattle and enable surveillance of the proportion of these cattle undergoing OFES, euthanasia, or CS.

Preslaughter stress and beef quality in relation to slaughter transport of cattle

Preslaughter handling inevitably exposes cattle to stress, which affects beef quality and yields. Short transports to the slaughterhouse or a short walk across the yard to a mobile abattoir parked on the farm may reduce stress, with potential beneficial effects on meat quality. To compare different road transport distances to a stationary (fixed) slaughterhouse, and the stationary plant with a mobile abattoir, we studied commercial slaughter of 298 cattle in each facility over a period of 13 months. For the stationary slaughterhouse, the estimated transport distance from farm to plant was 7–250 km (mean 99 km) and 96 animals spent one night in lairage there. All animals at both slaughterhouses were stunned with a captive bolt gun. Blood levels of cortisol, glucose and lactate at exsanguination and meat quality indicators were recorded. According to two-sample t-tests, thawing loss was 1 percent unit lower (p<0.0001), Warner-Bratzler shear force was 6.9 N lower (p<0.0001) and compressive load was 3.9 MPa lower (p<0.0001), but mean lactate level was 1.02 mmol/l higher (p<0.0001) and ultimate pH was 0.05 units higher (p=0.0001) in the mobile facility compared with the stationary. Effects of slaughter facility and estimated road transport distance to the stationary plant on blood lactate, ultimate meat pH, shear force and compressive load were analysed by generalized linear mixed models, with delivering farm as random effect. According to the models, predicted shear force was 23% higher at the 95th percentile of the transport distance compared with the 5th percentile (p=0.012), and there was some evidence of a similar difference in compressive load for heifers, albeit only marginally significant (39% higher at the 95th percentile; p=0.056). Predicted blood lactate was 19% higher in the mobile abattoir than the stationary slaughterhouse (p=0.046). Ultimate meat pH was higher in the mobile unit for cows and steers (p≤0.0020), and for carcasses weighing 311–380 kg (p≤0.0020). Compressive load was 27% lower in the mobile abattoir, compared to the stationary (p<0.0001), but shear force did not differ significantly between the two facilities. This study shows a negative effect of long transport distances on beef tenderness. It also provides evidence of differences in beef quality between a mobile abattoir and a stationary slaughterhouse, although these differences may be attributable to specific routines for carcass handling and ageing at the studied facilities, and not the transport and slaughter strategy itself.

Welfare of cattle during transport.

In the framework of its Farm to Fork Strategy, the Commission is undertaking a comprehensive evaluation of the animal welfare legislation. The present Opinion deals with protection of cattle (including calves) during transport. Welfare of cattle during transport by road is the main focus, but other means of transport are also covered. Current practices related to transport of cattle during the different stages (preparation, loading/unloading, transit and journey breaks) are described. Overall, 11 welfare consequences were identified as being highly relevant for the welfare of cattle during transport based on severity, duration and frequency of occurrence: group stress, handling stress, heat stress, injuries, motion stress, prolonged hunger, prolonged thirst, respiratory disorders, restriction of movement, resting problems and sensory overstimulation. These welfare consequences and their animal‐based measures are described. A variety of hazards, mainly relating to inexperienced/untrained handlers, inappropriate handling, structural deficiencies of vehicles and facilities, poor driving conditions, unfavourable microclimatic and environmental conditions, and poor husbandry practices leading to these welfare consequences were identified. The Opinion contains general and specific conclusions relating to the different stages of transport for cattle. Recommendations to prevent hazards and to correct or mitigate welfare consequences have been developed. Recommendations were also developed to define quantitative thresholds for microclimatic conditions within the means of transport and spatial thresholds (minimum space allowance). The development of welfare consequences over time was assessed in relation to maximum journey duration. The Opinion covers specific animal transport scenarios identified by the European Commission relating to transport of unweaned calves, cull cows, the export of cattle by livestock vessels, the export of cattle by road, roll‐on‐roll‐off ferries and ‘special health status animals’, and lists welfare concerns associated with these.

XIT: The Story of Land, Cattle, and Capital in Texas and Montana by Michael M. Miller

Reviewed by: XIT: The Story of Land, Cattle, and Capital in Texas and Montana by Michael M. Miller Kevin Kipers XIT: The Story of Land, Cattle, and Capital in Texas and Montana. By Michael M. Miller. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 2020. 288 pp. Illustrations, tables, maps, notes, bibliography, index. $29.95 cloth. In XIT, Michael M. Miller examines the XIT Ranch’s cattle business activity by contextualizing the company’s place in the American livestock industry and against the broader context of an ever-emerging economic system of capitalist enterprise, often run by businessmen overseas, on a disappearing western frontier. Miller weaves together his narrative through examinations of XIT cattle activity in Texas and Montana from 1885 to 1912. Events in chapters 2 and 3 represent the setup for Miller’s narrative about the ranch’s origins and subsequent business growth until its operations ceased in the early twentieth century. In chapter 2, Miller discusses provisions in the 1876 Texas constitution aimed at promoting open settlement for average small farmers, yet loopholes around and constant legal increases in acreage limits resulted in many public lands falling into corporate ownership. Miller, in chapter 3, details the chaotic set of events surrounding reconstruction plans for and disagreements about the Texas capitol between 1881 and 1888 and the role XIT associates played in it while dysfunctional leadership delayed project completion. Although this chapter tells an important story about how an expensive real estate venture ultimately inclined XIT to invest in cattle as a potentially more profitable market, Miller does not make this premise explicit until chapter 4. For the remainder of the book, Miller effectively describes XIT’s transition from investing in real estate to cattle, as well as the challenges company officials encountered in securing desired levels of revenue. XIT owners started their initial cattle operations in 1885 on lands purchased in the Texas panhandle. There they intended to profit through selling the livestock to prospective settlers hoping to obtain land in the waning era of open westward expansion. Miller highlights several underlying sets of obstacles that plagued goals of XIT affiliates and settlers alike, including cattle diseases, harsh winters, and difficulties securing transportation contracts with railroad companies. Cattle frequently suffered fevers that spread among herds, for which XIT operators in Texas constantly received blame, hindering efforts to expand when nearby jurisdictions imposed laws restricting transport of cattle. Securing transport agreements with railways like the Fort Worth & Denver City, and eventual additional land purchases for cattle grazing in Montana, initially helped offset some of the issues with dwindling property availability in Texas and business growth. Still, XIT businessmen were ultimately unable to accomplish long-term sustainability and profits. Cattle prices and demand among buyers declined into the early years of the twentieth century, and the company mismanaged its operations. Miller’s work skillfully sheds light on a declining livestock market in a period when open western settlement was also diminishing. [End Page 359] Kevin Kipers Department of History Washington State University, Tri-Cities Copyright © 2023 Center for Great Plains Studies, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Doppelstöckige Rindertransporte und die Grenzen des Tierschutzes

Double-deck cattle transports are regularly carried out within the country, throughout the EU as well as to non-EU countries. Herein, lengthy transports of one week and more are frequent. Particularly for adult German-Holstein cattle, double-deck transports are problematic as the animals' size renders it increasingly difficult to load them in compliance with animal welfare regulations. Due to their height, the cattle's head or back may collide with the roof or intermediate floor constructions leading to injuries. According to the European Animal Welfare Transport Regulation, it is prohibited to arrange or carry out animal transport in the case bears the risk for injury or unnecessary suffering of the animals. Both the European and the National Animal Welfare Transport Regulations represent the rules and regulations for the commercial transport of animals. The space requirements above the animals (ceiling height) are not clearly defined in the text of this regulation. In 2011, the European Commission responded to an enquiry concerning this question and recommended a ceiling height above the animals of at least 20 cm beyond the withers of the largest individual.This article provides an overview of the animal welfare challenges associated with the double-deck transport of cattle and presents possible solutions.

Animal welfare during transport and slaughter of beef cattle

Objective: To review how transport and stunning of cattle affect animal welfare. Approach: During the transport of beef cattle to slaughter plants, several factors affect animal welfare, such as travel time, stress, and load density. Additionally, the correct stunning of cattle helps comply with the animal welfare guidelines established by different protocols such as Welfare Quality®. Study limitations/Implications: Meat quality is affected by several factors, being of utmost importance the way animals are transported to the slaughterhouse, and they are stunned. Therefore, it is critical to perform these stages properly to obtain good quality meat; besides, it is a welfare issue. Conclusions: It is critical to comply with transport and slaughter procedures that guarantee good beef meat quality and ensure animal welfare to avoid stress in cattle as possible.

Selecting sorting centres to avoid long distance transport of weaned beef calves

The transport of weaned calves from cow–calf producers to fatteners is a general concern for the young bull industry due to its documented negative impact on the welfare, health and performance of the animals. These transfers are often managed by intermediaries who transport weaned calves to sorting centres, where they are grouped into batches before being sent to fattening units. In this study, we present an algorithm to limiting these transfer distances by appropriately selecting the sorting centre through which they must go. We tested the effectiveness of this algorithm on historical data from a French beef producer organization managing 136,892 transfers using 13 sorting centres. The results show a decrease in the transfer distances compared to the historical record, especially for the calves travelling over long distances (− 76 km, i.e. 18% on average for the 33% longest transfers). Moreover, the distribution of calves between the sorting centres proposed by the algorithm reveals differences in their efficiency in minimizing transfer distances. In addition to its usefulness as a management tool for the daily transport of cattle, this algorithm provides prospects for improving the management of the sorting centres themselves.

Brote de rabia paresiante bovina en la región libre de enfermedad en la Argentina

We report an outbreak of bovine paralytic rabies in a feed lot in a disease-free area in southern Santa Fe, Argentina. Six of 122 unvaccinated steers died after showing neurological signs (morbimortality = 4.9%) for 24-72 hours, 40-75 days after being transported to the feed lot from a farm located in Formosa. Pathologic examination of the brain in 3 steers revealed gliosis, lymphoplasmacytic meningoencephalitis, and intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies in neurons, along with intralesional detection of the rabies virus antigen by immunohistochemistry in 2 cases. Rabies virus was confirmed by direct immunofluorescence in the brain, and further identified as variant 3a, typical of hematogenous bats, by inoculation in mice followed by indirect immunofluorescence. This represents the first communication of bovine paralytic rabies described in the Pampas plain in Argentina, and evidences that the transport of cattle from endemic to disease-free areas could represent a mechanism of dissemination of this communicable zoonotic disease.

Animal welfare in the U.S. slaughter industry-a focus on fed cattle.

Animal welfare within the U.S. slaughter industry continues to prevail as one of the top priorities for livestock producers, businesses, and consumers alike. There are federal regulations that enforce the humane transport, handling, and slaughter of cattle. The journey that cattle must make to the slaughter facility is comprised of many environmental and human factors that can positively or negatively affect animal welfare. Cattle may be exposed to multiple stressors, such as noise, unfamiliar animals and humans, temperature extremes, temporary food/water deprivation, variable transport distances and experiences, and new pen conditions. The animal caretakers involved in these processes attempt to minimize stress and discomfort for the animals, but research is needed to focus on the gaps in knowledge and to support the implementation of strategies known to enhance the human–animal interactions that occur from farm to slaughter. This literature review will provide a summary of fed cattle welfare topics, research, and industry tools that span across the beef animal’s journey from the farm/feedlot through the slaughter process. In addition, areas that have had little research focus are identified to highlight the need for future work and development of industry tools. Some of these topics include examining trailer design, the use of trailer slats during weather extremes, the welfare aspects of cattle destined for salvage slaughter, multiple preslaughter factors and interactions, abnormal mobility and nonambulatory cattle, lairage environmental conditions, new stunning methods, and the impact of a well-trained, motivated, and stable workforce on cattle and people welfare. The authors conducted a survey at the 2019 North American Meat Institute Animal Care and Handling Conference, which comprised of stakeholders within the meat packing industry, packing plant employees, and food company employees, educators, and auditors. The survey responses identified training/education and communication as areas of need in animal welfare, whereas the majority of survey responses focused on the aspects of the human–animal interaction as the top challenges for the industry. By continuously identifying, measuring, monitoring, and managing animal welfare challenges within the beef cattle slaughter industry, prioritization and execution of programs and training that improve the welfare of cattle can be achieved as animals move through this final stage of the meat production system.

Fetal age assessment for Holstein cattle.

Although transport and slaughter of cattle during the last 10% of the gestation period is prohibited in the European Union, such cattle are sometimes sent for slaughter. The late term pregnancy is usually not recognized by the authorities until the uterus is inspected after slaughter and a near term fetus is observed. Accurate post mortem determination of age of bovine fetuses is therefore of major importance as evidence for the subsequent prosecution of the owner. Fetometric measurements such as crown-rump length (CRL) have been used, but these existing estimators have often been established based on insufficiently described study populations or phenotypes that may have changed in the past decades. Morphological characteristics are also used, but few data are available on the correlation between fetal age and the development of these characteristics. The objectives of this study were to investigate the correlation between fetal age and morphological features of bovine Holstein fetuses and to evaluate the use of these features alone and in combination with fetometric measurements to predict fetal age. We collected fetuses from 274 pregnant Holstein cows with recorded insemination dates slaughtered at a Danish abattoir. Gender, teeth development, occurrence of pigmentation, coat, tactile hair and other morphological features were recorded along with CRL, head width, head length and body weight (BW). The gestational length was calculated based on recorded insemination and slaughter dates, and coefficients of variation (R2) were determined for all recorded variables. Notably, the highest R2 was recorded for head length (0.985) followed by CRL (0.979) and head width (0.974). The categorical (morphological) variables were less informative. When used in multivariable models, they did offer statistically significance, but for practical purposes, limited additional information. A multivariable model including the fetometric variables head length and width in combination with CRL resulted in R2 = 0.99 with predictions that were roughly within +/- 11–12 days in 95% of cases. We conclude that the model based on the fetometric variables only provided the most precise predictions, while combination with morphological features such as eruption of teeth, pigmentation and coat mostly increased the width of the prediction intervals.

Enhanced zoogeomorphological processes in North Africa in thehuman-impacted landscapes of the Anthropocene

New zoogeomorphological features discovered in dryland landscapes of Northern Africa reflect human-animal agency since prehistory, and attest to complex, networked activities over great distances. We discuss the role of zoogeomorphology in shaping Earth's surface since the beginning of the Anthropocene, the timeframe when natural processes shifted and landscape evolution became more human-dominated. We focus on contexts in arid and semiarid lands of Northern Africa, which are metastable, sensitive ecosystems that are prone to modifications triggered by climatic and anthropogenically forced factors. Studying the geoarchaeological record in context of landscape impact and animal procurement by people throughout Antiquity is important for reconstructing domestication and husbandry of cattle, sheep, and goats in this region. Among the features we recognize in association with transhumance, pastoralism, and herding are trails, trackways, footholds, animal daybeds, stables, animal dwellings, rockshelters, game blinds, and monuments, to name a few. Related activities with landscape-scale impacts include herding, transport, corralling and browsing of cattle (Bos sp.), goats, and sheep (ovicaprines) as well as pasturage activities like cropping, fire-setting, and manuring. These activities were disturbances that affected surface processes like erosion and dust mobilization, as well as reduced vegetation and ecosystems productivity. In dryland Africa, and especially in the Sahara, intensive herding led to the alteration of the pristine aspects of bare rock surfaces and of the stone desert pavement (i.e., the hamada); many regions preserved evidence of middle-late Holocene animal daybeds, trampled areas, and barren tracks and trails. We suggest that human and herd animal activities affected geomorphic surfaces that affected slope stability, intensified erosion and dust mobilization, and enhanced dust export from the African continent offshore. We reinterpret the increased dust emission from North Africa during the mid-Holocene at the end of the African Humid Period, as has been interpreted from ocean cores; aridification of the Green Sahara followed the insolation-forced monsoonal maximum, and was exacerbated by human-animal activities across the Sahara and the Sahel. We argue that the spread of human activities and intensive husbandry of cattle, and caprines (goat and sheep) in this region significantly influenced the geomorphic stability, ecosystem and landscape sustainability in a comparable manner of overuse observed in present-day arid and marginal environments, where pastoral overgrazing pressure increases erosion processes and enhances dust mobilization. We suggest that human-animal activities have amplified dust generation from the North African continental interior since ~7 ka BP. This evidence of prehistoric human impacts on surface processes in North Africa supports arguments for an early beginning of the Anthropocene.

A Systematic Review of Heat Load in Australian Livestock Transported by Sea.

Simple SummaryThe transport of livestock by sea (‘live export’) is an important contemporary animal welfare issue in Australia. There is particular concern for the effects of heat load on the welfare of sheep being shipped live from Australia to the Middle East during the Northern Hemisphere summer. To reduce bias in a contentious context, we performed a systematic review of the literature relevant to Australian sea transport, heat load, and livestock. We discuss the factors contributing to harmful heat load, pathways for mitigating risks and existing knowledge gaps. We identified several areas requiring research to address these knowledge gaps.The transport of animals by sea (‘live export’) is one of the most important current animal welfare issues in Australian society. Recent media attention has highlighted concerns regarding the effects of high environmental temperature and humidity on the welfare and mortality of sheep being shipped live from Australia to the Middle East, especially during the Northern Hemisphere summer. To improve understanding of how and why harmful heat load occurs, we systematically reviewed Australian research into heat load and sea transport. High thermal load occurs during the sea transport of sheep and cattle from Australia when animals are subject to hot and humid environmental conditions and cannot remove heat generated by metabolic processes in the body, potentially also gaining heat from the environment. Several approaches have been proposed to mitigate these risks, including avoidance of voyages in hot seasons, selection of heat-resistant livestock breeds, reducing stocking density, and improved ventilation. We identified a lack of scientific literature relating to heat load in animals transported by sea and considerable potential for bias in the literature that was found. We identified the following priority research areas: (i) experimental manipulation of variables thought to influence the incidence and severity of harmful heat load, including sheep density; (ii) further assessment of the Heat Stress Risk Assessment (HSRA) model used to predict heat load events, and (iii) development of a suite of animal welfare indicators that may allow identification of ‘at risk’ sheep before they reach debilitating heat load condition. Addressing these knowledge gaps will assist efforts to reduce the frequency and intensity of harmful heat load events.

Relationship between Methods of Loading and Unloading, Carcass Bruising, and Animal Welfare in the Transportation of Extensively Reared Beef Cattle.

Simple SummaryIn Uruguay, extensive, welfare-friendly beef production is a substantial part of the economy and culture. Transport of beef cattle to the slaughterhouse compromises animal welfare. The objective of this study was to assess transport conditions related to carcass bruising. A total of 242 trucks with 8132 animals were assessed on loading, transport, unloading conditions, and carcass bruising. In 39.3% of the loadings only a flag was used. The fastest unloading time was performed using a flag only. Carcass bruises were assessed by trained observers inside the plant. Although the number of bruises was high, there were no grade 3 bruises, the deepest and severe ones. It appeared that animal welfare training of truck drivers worked out well and the use of flags to move animals increased compared to a previous study in 2008.In Uruguay, extensive, welfare-friendly beef production is a substantial part of the economy and culture. Transport of beef cattle to slaughterhouse compromises animal welfare. The objective of this study was to assess transport conditions related to carcass bruising. A total of 242 trucks with 8132 animals were assessed on loading, transport, unloading conditions, and carcass bruising. Average loading time was 26 min and 21 s and the perception of the truck drivers was correlated with the time took for loading and the use of devices. In 39.3% of the loadings only a flag was used. The average unloading time was 5 min and 54 s with a significant difference in time for the use of devices; only flag 3 min 51 s, cattle prod 6 min 43 s and sticks 8 min 09 s. Of the carcasses observed, 772 (9.5%) had no bruises, 873 (10.7%) had one bruise, 1312 (16.1%) two, 1231 (15.1%) three and 3944 (48.5%) had four or more bruises. Prevalence of bruises were highest on the Tuber-coxea (hip) (29.3%) following forequarter (22.4%), Tuber-ischiadicum (rear) (17.3%), ribs/flank (14.1%), rump/round (10.1%) and loin (6.8%). Bruises were 68.7% grade 1 and 31.3 % grade 2; there were no grade 3, the deepest ones, observed. It appeared that animal welfare training of truck drivers worked out well and the use of flags increased compared to a previous study in 2008.

Estudio diagnóstico del bienestar de bovinos durante el transporte a una planta de beneficio de la región caribe de Colombia

Se realizó un estudio diagnóstico de bienestar animal (BA) durante el transporte terrestre de vacunos hacia una planta de faenado de la región Caribe de Colombia. Se hizo un estudio transversal analítico a 20 transportistas, evaluando variables demográficas, de actitud frente a los bovinos y del manejo dado. Se analizaron datos de 59 viajes (588 vacunos), evaluando las condiciones de los vehículos y determinando densidad de carga, heterogeneidad en peso, distancia recorrida, tiempo de espera antes del desembarque y el empleado en el desembarque. Parte de vehículos no se usan exclusivamente para el transporte de vacunos y no cumplen totalmente con lo dispuesto por el ICA. Las densidades de carga fueron inferiores a las recomendadas, con valores de 320,5 kg/m2 (DE=6,3) y 285,2 kg/m2 (DE=83,48), para vehículos pequeños y grandes, respectivamente y la distancia recorrida fue de 21,6 km, en promedio. Los tiempos promedios de espera total y de descargue fueron de 11,1 y 2.8 min., respectivamente. La distancia recorrida, la densidad de carga y el tiempo de descargue se correlacionaron con el número de hematomas y el pH de la canal fría. Se evidenciaron fallas que repercuten negativamente en el bienestar de vacunos durante el transporte y descargue en la planta de faenado y sobre la calidad de la canal, aunado a la falta de capacitación de los conductores en el tema del BA.

Peran Angkutan Laut dalam Meningkatkan Distribusi Ternak Sapi Potong dari Daerah Produsen ke Wilayah Konsumen

Nationally, there are some areas of the provinces in Indonesia is livestock center including East Nusa Tenggara province. East Nusa Tenggara Governor Decree No. 278/Kep/HK/2011 Deciding that the allocation of large livestock beef to local consumers (West Java, Jakarta and Kalimantan) each of (a) as 55.000 heads of cattle,(b) 7.000 buffalo and (c) 5.000 horse. For transporting live cattle the only means of transportation by ship. Darmaga Tenau in serving the transport of life cattle is still in a simple way. Similarly, in a transit Kalimas. In an effort to decrease the cattle of the ship had been taken in three ways: (a) transported and unloaded from boats using nets, (b) direct the cows are herded through the bridge and (c) using containers. However, in connection with a number of criticisms relating to the principle Animal welfare, inevitably a third pattern to be implemented despite the fact that take a long time and ultimately costs more mahal. This paper is part of the research results of “Efisiensi Moda Transportasi Ternak dan Daging Sapi Dalam Mendukung Program Swasembada Pangan” by the Center for Economic and Agricultural Policy, 2013. Location of the study focused on East Nusa Tenggara and East Java. Keywords: marine transportation, livestock, distribution

Short Communication: The Pre-transport management of antemortem stress in cattle: Impact on carcass yield

Grumpelt, B., Hoffer, W., Curie, O., Jones, O., Jones, K., Kimmel, D., McDonald, B., Paterson, R. and Schaefer, A. 2015. SHORT COMMUNICATION: The Pre-transport management of antemortem stress in cattle: Impact on carcass yield. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 95: 557� 560. Transport and handling of cattle can have a significant impact on carcass weight loss. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of providing pre-transport nutritional therapy containing selective amino acids, electrolytes and an energy source, on carcass weight loss. One hundred and ninety British crossbred steers averaging 611 kg were used in the study. The treatment cattle received 1 kg of a nutritional supplement top dressed onto their normal silage diet 24 h prior to transport. Following a 1-h transport period the cattle were processed at a federally inspected beef plant and both hot and cold carcass yield as well as yield grade and quality grade were assessed. Cattle provided with pretransport nutritional therapy demonstrated a reduction in percentage live weight loss (PB0.01) as well as 1.2% greater hot carcass yield as a proportion of pre-treatment farm weight (PB0.01). The data suggest the use of nutritional support pretransport is beneficial to carcass yield.

Short Communication: The Pre-transport management of antemortem stress in cattle: Impact on carcass yield

Grumpelt, B., Hoffer, W., Curie, O., Jones, O., Jones, K., Kimmel, D., McDonald, B., Paterson, R. and Schaefer, A. 2015. Short Communication:The Pre-transport management of antemortem stress in cattle: Impact on carcass yield. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 95: 557–560. Transport and handling of cattle can have a significant impact on carcass weight loss. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of providing pre-transport nutritional therapy containing selective amino acids, electrolytes and an energy source, on carcass weight loss. One hundred and ninety British crossbred steers averaging 611 kg were used in the study. The treatment cattle received 1 kg of a nutritional supplement top dressed onto their normal silage diet 24 h prior to transport. Following a 1-h transport period the cattle were processed at a federally inspected beef plant and both hot and cold carcass yield as well as yield grade and quality grade were assessed. Cattle provided with pre-transport nutritional therapy demonstrated a reduction in percentage live weight loss (P&lt;0.01) as well as 1.2% greater hot carcass yield as a proportion of pre-treatment farm weight (P&lt;0.01). The data suggest the use of nutritional support pre-transport is beneficial to carcass yield.