Conditions on the Transport Vehicle

Stocking Densities

Trucks and stock trailers should be loaded per the stocking densities on the table below. Overloading of trucks will increase the chances of an animal going down on a truck. Bruising is also increased when trucks are overloaded.

Driving Methods

Careful driving will help prevent bruises and injuries. It will also help reduce weight loss. Rapid acceleration or sudden braking should be avoided because poor driving can cause animals to lose their balance. Air ride suspensions are strongly recommended to provide a smoother ride.

Prompt Unloading

Trucks should be scheduled so that they can be unloaded promptly when they reach the plant. Trucks should be unloaded within 15 minutes after arrival. Non-Slip Flooring – A new aluminium trailer has good non-slip footing but cattle start slipping when the diamond plate floor becomes worn. Cattle ride easier on no-slip flooring. One sign of a slick trailer is more manure on the floor. Slipping agitates cattle and causes more elimination. Slipping can be reduced by welding small bars or aluminium mesh on the floor.

Reduce Heat Stress

When the Livestock Safety Index is in the emergency and danger zones, if possible, cattle should be transported at night or in the early morning. In double shifted plants where this is not possible, vehicles must be kept moving because heat builds up rapidly in a parked vehicle. Heat stress is especially a problem when cattle that are acclimated to living in a cold climate are transported to a hot climate.

Prevent Cold Stress

Since cattle are ruminants, animals that have been acclimatized to cold weather can withstand very low temperatures. The most dangerous condition is freezing rain because it wets the hair and destroys its ability to insulate. During freezing rain conditions, drivers must make sure that sleet is not blowing into the side of the trailer. During a sleet storm, it would probably be advisable to pull off and stop to prevent wind chill from stressing or possibly killing the cattle.

Checking the Load

Drivers should check the cattle to make sure no animals have fallen down every time they stop at a weigh station or truck stop. Downed cattle are likely to be trampled and injured. Sometimes an electric prod has to be used to induce the animal to stand because entering the trailer would be dangerous.

Vehicle Maintenance

Both the tractor and the trailer must be kept well maintained. Broken gates, ramps, decks and latches in the trailer must be replaced or repaired.

Vehicle Cleanliness

Vehicles must be washed a minimum of once a week. One study showed that dirty trucks were a source of pathogens that could contaminate the meat. Ideally, trucks should be washed daily or after each load. This is especially important if the truck hauls cattle to many different places.

Driver Incentives

Implementation of financial incentives to reduce bruises and weight loss should be used to motivate drivers. Drivers who are financially rewarded will be more willing to handle cattle quietly and to drive carefully.

Click here to view a video that explains the conditions on the transport vehicle.