Handle with Care
Research indicates aggressive handling, increased exertion contribute to fatigued cattle syndrome in the feedyard.
“We have an animal handling issue in our feedyards,” stated Dan Frese, providing the feedyard perspective on cattle welfare and transportation during the Cattle Transportation Symposium hosted May 14-15 in Fort Collins, Colo. The Miller, Neb., veterinarian and cattle feeder cited research suggesting overly aggressive handling is a major contributor to so-called fatigued cattle syndrome.
While pursuing an additional doctorate at Kansas State University (K-State), Frese was involved in research seeking to understand the cause of the syndrome or causes of lameness, lethargy and muscle tremors observed in finished cattle arriving at packing plants. A tremor rippled through the cattle-feeding industry in 2013 when a beta-agonist growth-promoting product was named as the suspected cause.
According to Frese, however, the symptoms have also been observed in finished cattle that did not receive a beta-agonist. He called fatigued cattle syndrome a multi-factorial problem of cattle that typically are heavily muscled and have achieved rapid gains and heavy finished weights. Contributing stressors include environmental factors such as heat and humidity, less-than-optimum facility design, transportation, and aggressive cattle handling.
Speaking about cattle handling specifically, Frese said research has shown that finished cattle, when handled aggressively on shipping day, have exhibited increased heart rate and body temperature along with detrimental changes in blood chemistry. Huge increases in plasma lactate has occurred, with associated acute metabolic acidosis. Additionally, blood pH drops significantly, and serum cortisol levels increase.
“Animals show stiffness, shortness of stride and reluctance to move, just from pushing them too hard,” said Frese. “The symptoms of fatigued cattle syndrome can be replicated when no beta-agonist has been used, and physical exertion seems to be a significant trigger.”
Frese explained how, in some really big feedyards, fat cattle might have to travel a distance of a mile or more as they are moved from their feeding pen to a load-out area. He suggested feedyard operators consider having “staging pens” located near a load-out area. Cattle could be moved to those pens during the latter part of the feeding period — perhaps for the final 30 days or so — thus reducing the opportunity for cattle to receive excessive physical stress prior to transport.
Frese noted that bruised carcasses continue to be a beef quality problem. He cited data indicating 61% of bruises occurred along the dorsal midline, with one-third of bruises located in the loin area — a source of high-value beef cuts.
According to Frese, evidence suggests that bruising may be attributed to cattle hitting or scraping their backs on the upper deck as the animals enter or exit the belly compartment of transport trailers. If so, adaptation of trailer decks and ramps is warranted.
For more information from the symposium see articles on the Marketing and Health & Nutrition pages of this Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA, and see the September Angus Beef Bulletin.
Editor’s Note: Troy Smith is a freelance writer and cattleman from
Sargent, Neb.