Conference presentation
The journey matters; cattle welfare in long distance transport
ANZCVS Science week (Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, Qld , 27/07/2023–29/07/2023)
Abstract
Extensive livestock production involves the transportation of animals to various locations for sale, finishing, and/or slaughter. This process exposes animals to a range of stressors associated with curfews, novel environments, and handling during loading and unloading, including fear, fatigue, dehydration, and metabolic compromise. Although long-haul road transport is common practice in WA with northern rangeland beef cattle subject to journeys over 2,400km to reach processing facilities in the south, studies on the impact of such travel is lacking. This study aims to evaluate the effect of different rest durations on Bos indicus cattle welfare, through measurement of behaviour, demeanour, physiology, and meat quality. Preliminary results describing pen-side behaviour at the depot rest stop, behaviour in lairage and post slaughter measures will be presented where 952 cattle in a commercial setting were provided short, medium, or long rest periods after approximately 36 h transport. Early trends suggest the medium rest period of 39-42h off truck may permit recovery from transport stress and to optimise cattle welfare.
Details
- Title
- The journey matters; cattle welfare in long distance transport
- Authors/Creators
- Teresa Collins (Presenter) - Murdoch University, Centre for Animal Production and HealthE Schoonens (Author) - Murdoch UniversityE Dunston-Clarke (Author) - Murdoch UniversityE Taylor (Author) - Murdoch UniversityL Pannier (Author) - Murdoch UniversityR O'Reilly (Author) - Murdoch UniversityA Barnes (Author) - Murdoch University
- Conference
- ANZCVS Science week (Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, Qld , 27/07/2023–29/07/2023)
- Identifiers
- 991005736627607891
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Centre for Animal Production and Health; School of Agricultural Sciences; School of Veterinary Medicine
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Conference presentation
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