EVALUATING FITNESS FOR TRANSPORT DECISIONS – PREPARATION AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
By Julia Herman , DVM , MS , DACVPM Beef Cattle Specialist Veterinarian , NCBA , a contractor to the Beef Checkoff
Cattle health is closely monitored in each sector of the beef industry and continuous improvement is expected from within and outside the industry . Fitness for transport is an important concept that applies to all cattle stages , from calves to feeders to cull cows and bulls . This live animal evaluation is critical to deciding whether an animal is able to withstand the rigors of transport , including standing for long periods of time in variable weather . The most visible aspect of the cattle industry is when cattle are moved across the country on wheels every day . Each stakeholder , from the cattle owner to the transporter , should strive for responsible transport decisions .
The 2022 National Beef Quality Audit ( www . bqa . org / resources ) shows cattle , beef or dairy , are transported at least once and up to six times during their lifetime , so ensuring the health and welfare of these animals at each transport opportunity is a great responsibility . Trips to the auction market , the next pasture , backgrounding or finishing feedyards , and others are each
an opportunity to improve animal welfare through transportation and fitness for transport decisions . The Beef Checkoff-funded Beef Quality Assurance Transportation ( BQAT ) program was designed for guidance on these topics . The following are a few important aspects to consider when determining whether cattle are fit for transport . Evaluate Cattle History
Violative residues are created when animals are slaughtered before the labeled withdrawal period on the medication label . It is important to always check treatment records and confirm animals have cleared drug withdrawal times before transporting to sale or slaughter . Never ship an animal you do not think can withstand the rigors of transport or marketing . This includes not shipping extremely emaciated animals ( Body Condition Score 2 or less on either beef or dairy scale ) or cattle with lameness score of 3 or more ( according to North American Meat Institute scale of 1-4 ). Having a plan for caring for or humanely euthanizing a nonambulatory animal should be part of your protocol since these animals cannot be slaughtered . Prep the Cattle
It is important to provide cattle access to water up until they load onto the trailer as it improves health in the short term and upon arrival . A modest meal within 24 hours prior to transport , especially trips longer than four hours , has also been shown to improve cattle response during travel and at the destination . This is especially important for younger calves who are more prone to dehydration in hot weather . Duration of transport can have significant animal welfare outcomes and preparing cattle for the trip can improve response to transport stressors . In addition , cattle may have multiple segments of their trip , so ensuring cattle can handle all legs of the trip is an important consideration when deciding to ship that animal . Watch the Weather
Temperature and humidity can burden or improve the transport process . Pre-trip planning can help ensure cattle are loaded or unloaded in the most ideal part of the day . Pay close attention to the Temperature- Humidity Index to determine the risk of moving or working cattle during hotter weather . Another consideration for younger and smaller cattle is they will need different loading densities vs . older cattle in warmer weather . For instance , high loading densities can cause limited airflow and bruising . Airflow is especially important for cattle welfare , so if the trailer or cattle pot is unable to move or is waiting in line , driving around to increase air circulation in the trailer is one option . Move Cattle Slowly
Animal handling is an integral piece to cattle health , especially during transportation events . Moving animals in a low-stress , gentle and quiet manner reduces stress on the cattle during and after transport , reducing the risk of a heat stress event . Using acceptable handling tools such as flags or sorting sticks as an extension of yourself when needed can improve the efficiency of cattle movement . Cattle prods should not be routinely used and
Almost all cattle are transported at least once during their lifetime , so knowing how to protect their health in transport is important .
12 NATIONAL CATTLEMEN www . NCBA . org