Relationships between transport conditions and welfare outcomes during commercial long haul transport of cattle in North America1

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to document the relationships between selected welfare outcomes and transport conditions during commercial long haul transport of cattle (≥400 km; 6,152 journeys; 290,866 animals). Surveys were delivered to transport carriers to collect information related to welfare outcomes including the number of dead, non-ambulatory (downer) and lame animals during each journey. Transport conditions surveyed included the length of time animals spent on truck, ambient temperature, animal density, shrinkage, loading time, cattle origin, season, experience of truck drivers, and vehicle characteristics. Overall 0.012% of assessed animals became lame, 0.022% non-ambulatory and 0.011% died onboard. Calves and cull cattle were more likely to die and become non-ambulatory during the journey, feeders intermediate, and fat cattle appeared to be the most able to cope with the stress of transport (P ≤ 0.01). The likelihood of cattle becoming non-ambulatory, lame, or dead increased sharply after animals spent over 30 h on truck (P < 0.001). The likelihood of animal death increased sharply when the midpoint ambient temperature fell below -15°C (P = 0.01) while the likelihood of becoming non-ambulatory increased when temperatures rose above 30°C (P = 0.03). Animals that lost 10% of their BW during transport had a greater (P < 0.001) likelihood of dying and becoming non-ambulatory or lame. Animals were more likely to die at smaller space allowances (P < 0.05), particularly at allometric coefficients below 0.015 (P = 0.10), which occurred more frequently in the belly and deck compartments of the trailers, and also at high space allowances in the deck (allometric coefficients > 0.035). The proportion of total compromised animals decreased with more years of truck driving experience (P < 0.001). Mortality was greater in cattle loaded at auction markets compared with feed yards and ranches (P < 0.01). Cull cattle, calves and feeders appear to be more affected by transport based on the likelihood of becoming non-ambulatory and dying within a journey. Most important welfare concerns during long distance transport include the total journey duration, too low or high space allowances, too high or too low ambient temperature, and the experience of the truck drivers.

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

“…In our case, DOA, DCP and total dead showed an overall mortality rate within the range reported in the literature [25]. In our study, the mortality rate for bovines was similar to the rates reported in Canada (0.011%) [16] and in Czechia (0.012%) [30]. Contrastingly, the mortality for sheep/goats was outside the range (0.006–0.018%) reported in literature [31].…”

“…The morbidity rate was lower than reported in literature [2,16,29] and the reasons for this discrepancy may be due to a variety of factors. Firstly, the criteria for assessing morbidity in the above mentioned studies varied from one author to the next, while our reports were filed by OVs based on the criteria set out in Council Regulation (EC) No.…”

“…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].…”

Fysiologische en ethologische behoeften van niet gespeende kalveren in relatie tot transport langer dan 8 uur

“…Kalveren van 3 tot 6 weken leeftijd die gedurende 4 uur worden blootgesteld aan hoge of lage temperaturen, laten een fysiologische reactie zien, op basis waarvan geconcludeerd wordt dat de dieren acute veranderingen in temperatuur niet aankunnen (Elmer and Reinhold, 2003). Tijdens transport kunnen grote temperatuurswisselingen optreden, en recent onderzoek bij vleesvee heeft aangetoond dat, naast factoren gerelateerd aan bijvoorbeeld transportduur en kwaliteit van rijden, het klimaat in de vrachtwagen gerelateerd is aan gezondheidsen welzijnsindicatoren zoals gehalten aan stresshormonen en de mate van gewichtsverlies tijdens transport (González et al, 2012); (Goldhawk et al, 2014 De zuigbehoefte wordt sterker gestimuleerd door het opnemen van (kunst)melk, dan bij het opnemen van water of niets (Jensen, 2003;de Passillé et al, 1992).…”

Pre-transport factors affecting the welfare of cattle during road transport for slaughter – a review

“…Hovever, González et al (2012) concluded that there were no discernible effects of loading delay on cattle condition based on visual evaluation (e.g. presence of injuries, difficulties in walking) given that the time taken to load cattle was 20 and 30 min on average, with a maximum of 5 and 3 h (such loading time is extremely long, signalizing presence of problems), respectively.…”