Stress-Free Cattle Transport - A Guide

Managing stress and nutrition during cattle transport and receiving

Cattle face significant stress during transport and receiving, especially newly weaned calves. Proper management at these stages is essential for ensuring good health and performance outcomes. 

Transportation and Handling: 

Handling cattle with minimal stress is vital. Low-stress loading, proper trailer alignment, and well-functioning facilities reduce injuries and stress. These efforts help in maintaining cattle well-being during transit. 

Water: 

Upon arrival, providing clean water is crucial. Waterers should be accessible to all cattle, with additional waterers if necessary. Some studies suggest placing waterers along the pen’s perimeter to encourage drinking. 

Feed: 

For dry lot cattle, long-stem hay is a good practice as it stimulates rumen microbes. Gradually mixing hay with the ration helps cattle adapt and promotes proper digestion. Cattle should consume 1-1.5% of their body weight in the first week and increase to 2-2.5% by day 21. 

Health Monitoring: 

Cattle should be observed closely for signs of illness, particularly depression or abnormal fecal scores. Monitoring depression scores from day 7-8 ensures early disease detection, while fecal scoring helps track water and feed intake. 

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