Microclimate During Beef Cattle Transport: Effects of Transportation Management and Relationship to Indicators of Animal Welfare
Date
2014-06-11
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Abstract
The consequences of transportation on cattle welfare have become focal areas of concern within North America. However, there is an absence of empirical evidence to inform decisions and risk management under commercial conditions. The objective of this thesis was to evaluate a system for monitoring in-transit microclimate within commercial transport trailers, and subsequently assess the relationships between transportation management factors, such as space allowance and location within trailer, microclimate during commercial transport, and indicators of cattle welfare for three target populations in the beef industry; calves, feeders, and cull cows. Twenty-four loads of calves, 19 loads of feeders, and 17 loads of cull cows were used for data collection, all under commercial conditions within North America. A logger layout of 10 loggers distributed at the ceiling-level was deemed most appropriate for research applications due to consistency of performance with different cattle weights and space allowances in two compartments used to transport the majority of cattle in North America. Single logger layouts were an economical alternative if ambient conditions were considered. Predictive equations are presented that can serve as estimates of correction factors when using ambient temperature and humidity as proxy for animal-level conditions during transportation. Hazard assessment provided quantification of trailer microclimate during commercial cattle transport for the target populations. Space allowance and location within trailers did not have a consistent effect on the in-transit microclimate. However, in accordance with previously published reports on vehicle design, vehicle speed and ambient conditions were associated with trailer microclimate in each study. Additionally, evidence was presented that refutes the hypothesis that the use of boarding in the winter negatively influences ventilation during transport, although stationary periods remain of concern. The majority of indicators of cattle welfare support the inference that the effect of in-transit temperature on indicators of cattle welfare is dependent on the temperature acclimatization of cattle prior to transport, and physiological indicators were all within the ranges expected for healthy cattle. The results of the three studies presented herein appear to support that, relative to the indicators of cattle welfare evaluated, the space allowances used by the North American beef industry are not detrimental to cattle welfare or meat quality.
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Agriculture, Veterinary Science, Engineering--Agricultural
Citation
Goldhawk, C. (2014). Microclimate During Beef Cattle Transport: Effects of Transportation Management and Relationship to Indicators of Animal Welfare (Doctoral thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/26904