Mortalities in bobby calves associated with long distance transport

Cave, J. G.; Callinan, A. P. L.; Woonton, W. K.

doi:10.1111/j.1751-0813.2005.tb12203.x

Cited by 52 publications

(56 citation statements)

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“…One of the determining risk factors is journey duration [13,14]. Consequently, Council Regulation (EC) No.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For instance, the mortality due to road transport has been calculated for beef cattle in North America (0.01%) [16], fattening pigs in Europe (0.07%) [17], and bobby calves in Australia (0.64%) [13]. Whilst death is a definitive welfare outcome, the variation in the above mentioned mortality is most likely related to the species or the type of animals being transported and their transport and handling conditions [18], or else to the journey duration [14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Road Transport of Farm Animals: Mortality, Morbidity, Species and Country of Origin at a Southern Italian Control Post

Padalino

Tullio

Cannone

et al. 2018

Animals

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Simple SummaryLong distance transportation is a welfare concern because it may cause sickness (i.e., morbidity) or death (i.e., mortality). Commercial transportation in Europe is regulated by the Council Regulation (EC) No. 1/2005 which regulates the maximum journey in the different species. After this time animals must be unloaded for resting, watering and feeding at control posts (CPs) where Official Veterinarians (OVs) have to check their health. This study analyzed the surveillance reports filled by OVs at a CP in Southern Italy from 2010 to 2015. A total of 1391 trucks stopped at the CP, transporting a total of 111,536 animals. The average mortality and morbidity rates were 0.025% and 0.010%. Cases of mortality and/or morbidity were reported for only 11 out of the 1391 trucks (0.8%). In a truck transporting lambs, 14 dead on arrival (DOA) were recorded, and this represented 93% of all DOAs. This is the first study reporting the results of surveillance practices conducted by OVs on animals travelling from North Europe to a CP in Southern Italy in compliance with EC 1/2005. Further studies should be conducted comparing the implications of long distance transportation at different CPs along different routes.AbstractStatistics on animal transport and its implications for health and welfare are limited. This study documented the animals transiting through a control post and their welfare outcomes measured by mortality rate and the prevalence of animals considered unfit for further transport (i.e., morbidity). Reports filed by the director of the control post and Official Veterinarians from 2010 to 2015 were analyzed. A total of 60,454 (54.2%) sheep/goats, 45,749 (41.0%) cattle, and 5333 (4.8%) pigs travelled in 225 (16.2%), 1116 (80.2%) and 50 (3.6%) trucks, respectively. Trucks coming mainly from France (71.3%), Spain (14.0%), and Ireland (7.4%) went mainly to Greece (95.4%), which was also the most common nationality of the transport companies (44.6%). Cases of mortality and/or morbidity were reported for only 11 out of the 1391 trucks (0.8%). The average mortality and morbidity rates were 0.025% and 0.010%, with maximum values for transport of lambs (0.084%, and 0.019%). Species of animal being transported and space allowance were associated with the measured welfare outcomes (p < 0.05). Overall, this study provided statistics based on official surveillance reports, suggesting that small space allowance during long haul transportation of sheep/goats may affect their health and welfare.

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“…One of the determining risk factors is journey duration [13,14]. Consequently, Council Regulation (EC) No.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Road Transport of Farm Animals: Mortality, Morbidity, Species and Country of Origin at a Southern Italian Control Post

Padalino

Tullio

Cannone

et al. 2018

Animals

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“…The mortality rate for bobby calves in Australia (which has a similar industry to New Zealand) has been reported as 0.64% (Cave et al 2005) and similar levels were recorded in New Zealand (K O'Grady and R Wild, pers. comm.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 66%

Pre-slaughter mortality and post-slaughter wastage in bobby veal calves at a slaughter premises in New Zealand

Thomas

Jordaan

2013

New Zealand Veterinary Journal

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Digestive tract disorders, omphalitis and septicaemia were the most common reasons for pre-slaughter mortality and post-mortem wastage. Further investigation of pre-transportation husbandry and feeding practices is indicated to determine compliance with animal welfare codes by farmers that supplied calves that had no curd in the abomasum, or were immature or emaciated on arrival at the slaughter premises.

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“…Although the effect of transport duration on calf mortality has not previously been investigated, others have looked at the effect of a related variable: transport distance. In a retrospective analysis of bobby calf mortality data from Northern Victoria, Australia between 1998 and 2000, Cave et al (2005) identified an exponential increase in mortality with increasing transport distance (from farm to processor) over the range 100-800 km. Although travel duration was not known, the authors assumed that travel duration and travel distance were correlated and that distance was therefore a proxy for duration (Cave et al, 2005).…”

Section: Travel Timementioning

confidence: 99%

Risk factors for bobby calf mortality across the New Zealand dairy supply chain

Boulton

Kells

Cogger

et al. 2020

Preventive Veterinary Medicine

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A B S T R A C TThe objective of this study was to identify risk factors for morbidity and mortality of bobby calves across the whole dairy supply chain in New Zealand. A case-control study was carried out in the 2016 spring calving season. A total of 194 bobby calves, comprising 38 cases (calves that died or were condemned for health or welfare reasons before the point of slaughter) and 156 controls (calves deemed acceptable and presented for slaughter) were included in the study. Case and control calves were selected by veterinarians located at 29 processing premises across New Zealand. Information regarding management of selected calves on-farm, during transport and at the processor was obtained retrospectively via questionnaires administered to supplying farmers, transport operators and processing premises personnel. Associations between management variables and calf mortality (death or condemnation) were examined using multivariable logistic regression models. Factors associated with an increased risk of calf mortality included time in the farm of origin's calving season, duration of travel from farm to the processor and processing slaughter schedule (same day or next day). Every additional week into the farm's calving season increased the odds of mortality by a factor of 1.2 (95%CI 1.06, 1.35). Similarly, each additional hour of travel time increased the odds of mortality by a factor of 1.45 (95% CI 1.18, 1.76). Risk of mortality was significantly greater for calves processed at premises with a next day slaughter schedule than those processed at premises with a same day slaughter schedule (OR 3.82, 95% CI 1.51, 9.67). However, when the data set was limited to those cases that died or were condemned in the yards (i.e. excluding calves that were dead or condemned on arrival) the effect of same day slaughter was not significant. In order to reduce bobby calf mortality and morbidity, transport duration should be kept as short as possible and a same day slaughter schedule applied. While these factors can be regulated, New Zealand's pastoral dairy system means that calves will inevitably be transported for slaughter across several months each spring. Although farm management factors did not apparently influence the risk of mortality in this study, the effect of time in farm's calving season suggests there may be farm-management related factors that change over the season. This requires further investigation.

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Mortalities in bobby calves associated with long distance transport

Abstract: Limits on the distance of transportation of bobby calves should be incorporated into future codes of practice to reduce the mortality of bobby calves.

Cited by 52 publications

References 0 publications

Road Transport of Farm Animals: Mortality, Morbidity, Species and Country of Origin at a Southern Italian Control Post

Road Transport of Farm Animals: Mortality, Morbidity, Species and Country of Origin at a Southern Italian Control Post

Pre-slaughter mortality and post-slaughter wastage in bobby veal calves at a slaughter premises in New Zealand

Risk factors for bobby calf mortality across the New Zealand dairy supply chain

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