Inherited Problems
Auction market owner encourages greater attention to animal welfare before animals arrive at market.
Larry Schnell knows that many people think auction market personnel have little regard for animal welfare. The owner/manager of Stockmen’s Livestock Exchange, Dickinson, N.D., thinks that judgment is unfair. He admits that some welfare problems do surface at auction markets.
“In most cases, though, it is a reflection of the cattle industry,” said Schnell, who presented the auction market owner’s perspective on animal welfare and transportation at the Cattle Transportation Symposium hosted by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) May 14-15 in Fort Collins, Colo.
“Auction markets inherit the problems of their consignors,” Schnell added. “We don’t own the cattle. They are brought to us. The first time we see them is after they are unloaded at our facilities, and some animals come with baggage.”
Schnell ran down a list of ways cattle may be mismanaged by their owners or people responsible for transporting animals to market. He noted how some consignors try to counter transportation shrink by getting up extra early to feed cattle before hauling them to market. Attempting to “fill” cattle sometimes causes digestive disturbances during transportation, resulting in some cattle becoming sick by arrival, he cautioned.
According to Schnell, cattle arriving in overloaded trailers is a problem. If an animal slips, falls down and is unable to stand again, it may be injured beneath the feet of other animals.
Too few drivers of cattle transportation vehicles really know how to drive when hauling livestock, Schnell said. They don’t understand how motion affects the balance of the animals. Thus cattle are jostled around, and there is increased potential for falls and injuries.
Schnell said livestock handling problems and safety issues also arise when cattle are loaded or unloaded by truckers who lack cattle handling skills. Problems are compounded when the cattle are excitable and unaccustomed to handling of any kind.
In Schnell’s opinion, too many compromised animals are delivered to auction markets — animals that are very old, very weak or are otherwise unfit for transport. Still, he said he is astounded by how much a blemished old cow will bring at auction — often up to $1,000.
“We receive too many animals that never should have been brought to market,” Schnell stated, “but as long as there is someone willing to buy compromised animals, they will keep coming.”
Schnell acknowledged that auction markets do have a responsibility to provide safe, well-maintained facilities and capable personnel. He noted Stockmen’s Livestock Exchange’s attention to training its employees in low-stress cattle handling techniques. The firm also has adopted load-out facilities incorporating the Bud-Box design developed by the late stockmanship advisor Bud Williams.
Some animal welfare advocates want auction markets to do more by requiring consignors and buyers to use only certified truckers.
“Placing that on an auction market’s shoulders is unfair and unreasonable,” said Schnell. “We can’t police the cattle industry. We don’t have the leverage, the manpower or the time. Consigned cattle are on our premises for only six to 48 hours. More of the problems related to animal welfare need to be addressed before they come to us — on the ranch and in the feedlot.”
For more information from the Cattle Transportation Symposium, see articles on the Health & Nutrition and Management pages of this Angus Beef Bulletin EXTRA, as well as additional articles in the September Angus Beef Bulletin.
Editor’s Note: Troy Smith is a freelance writer and cattleman from Sargent, Neb.