How is cattle transported?

By Gary Sliworsky
Ag. Rep.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is currently assessing how cattle are transported in Canada with intentions of changing the laws and regulations that govern the industry. Changes proposed by CFIA may increase trucking costs for beef producers. In an effort to better understand current transportation conditions for the movement of cattle in Canada, the Ontario Cattlemen’s Association is funding a University of Guelph research study to examine how current transportation conditions (space/loading densities and travel time) impact animal welfare, health, and performance for weaned calves and yearlings (500-900 lbs).
The objectives of this research are to determine if current procedures for transporting cattle ensure animal welfare and how they impact health and performance after arrival. The ultimate goal of this work is to ensure animal welfare while increasing the demand for Ontario grown beef.
The help of beef producers is needed in this study to collect data on cattle loads that are received at feedlots and to follow their health for approximately 8 weeks after arrival. Surveys have been constructed to collect data from producers and truckers on the same loads of cattle during transit and following arrival. The more information that can be collected on how cattle are transported in Canada will provide CFIA with industry data that will support current trucking regulations without the need for the proposed costly changes.
Please consider participating in this research study to provide valuable information on the Ontario Beef industry. If you would like to participate in this benchmark study or desire more information, please contact one of the University of Guelph researchers involved in this study by telephone or e-mail:
Matt Thrower (519- 827-1346 or e-mail mthrower@uoguelph.ca);
Ken Bateman (519-824-4120, Ext 5-4006; kbateman@ovc.uoguelph.ca),
Ira Mandell (519-824-4120, Ext 5-3337; imandell@uoguelph.ca),
Tina Widowski (519-824-4120, Ext 5-2408; twidowsk@uoguelph.ca