Effects on cattle of transportation by road for up to 31 hours

Abstract

The physiological and behavioural effects on cattle of transporting them for periods of 14, 21, 26 and 31 hours, including a stop for a rest and drink on the lorry after 14 hours, were studied in 120 transported animals and 48 control animals. The physiological measurements indicated that a journey lasting 31 hours was not excessively physically demanding, but many of the animals chose to lie down after approximately 24 hours. The animals that lay down had higher plasma cortisol levels than those that remained standing. Many animals chose not to drink during the rest stop. Physiological measurements made after the journeys indicated that 24 hours in lairage, with hay and water freely available, allowed the animals to recover substantially, although not completely, irrespective of the journey time.

Road transport of farm animals: effects of journey duration on animal welfare

“…It has been suggested that cattle, if they lie down during transport, presumably do not rest optimally due to a combination of BW, floor conditions and the movement of the vehicle, and that the reason for recumbency is exhaustion (as reviewed by Knowles, 1999). This is supported by Knowles et al (1999a), who transported mature beef steers and heifers for up to 31 h. After approximately 20 h, some individuals lay down, and had higher concentrations of plasma cortisol but did not differ from standing individuals in their plasma activity of creatine kinase. Knowles et al (1999a) also quantified physiological indicators of dehydration, for example, plasma total protein, albumin and osmolality, but only plasma osmolality was affected by the duration of the journey.…”

“…This is supported by Knowles et al (1999a), who transported mature beef steers and heifers for up to 31 h. After approximately 20 h, some individuals lay down, and had higher concentrations of plasma cortisol but did not differ from standing individuals in their plasma activity of creatine kinase. Knowles et al (1999a) also quantified physiological indicators of dehydration, for example, plasma total protein, albumin and osmolality, but only plasma osmolality was affected by the duration of the journey. The authors reported most of the changes occurred during the initial 15 h of transport and recommended transport duration not to exceed 24 h, although the observed metabolic and adrenocortical changes after 31 h of transport were described as 'not extreme'.…”

“…They found that increased journey duration led to increased weight loss and physiological signs of dehydration, food deprivation (as indicated by plasma concentration of urea) and fatigue (based on plasma concentration of creatine phosphokinase and lactate). However, these animals were considerably younger than the ones transported by Knowles et al (1999a). The length of food deprivation before and during transport has great influence on the rate with which the transported animals begin to mobilise body reserves.…”

“…Knowles et al, 1999a); (ii) investigations at different time points during one transport (e.g. Knights and Smith, 2007); and (iii) comparison of results obtained from different experiments in which transport duration was not necessarily a factor of interest in the individual trials (e.g.…”

Transport of cattle in Spain: Technical, administrative and welfare aspects according to the destination

“…In this cases transports are bound by the European Regulation to make a 24 hour stop and to unload animals. Although from the point of view of cattle welfare it is recommended to make 24 hour stops if they are necessary (Knowles et al, 1999b), it is still not clear if they benefit animals from the sanitary point of view, additionally complicating the journey logistics.…”