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Transport

Transportation can be made easier on both cattle and producer, mainly by taking the right handling approach, using the right equipment, or by paying attention to livestock needs, especially during winter months.

Cold Stress and Transportation

Cold Stress on Trucked Cattle
Craig Richardson, Ontario Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Cattle deaths are highest when the temperatures hover around the freezing mark, or when rain or freezing rain is entering the trailer, according to livestock specialist Temple Grandin. This factsheet offers warning signs of cold stress and the precautions producers can take to avoid cold-induced cattle death.

Livestock Trailer Safety Cushion
Ontario Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Padding the inside corners and edges of trailers can significantly reduce the bruising of cattle.

Handling and Transportation (see also Livestock Handling and Welfare)

Understanding Flight Zone and Point of Balance
Temple Grandin, Livestock Handling Specialist, Colorado State University
Livestock specialist Temple Grandin's handling techniques are based on animal behaviour and designed to minimize stress to the animal. Learn how to approach the "flight zone" and "point of balance" of cattle for easier herding.

Moving Cattle Out of Pens and Sorting
Temple Grandin, Livestock Handling Specialist, Colorado State University
Effective handling techniques for sorting cattle and moving them out of pens.

Using Prods and Persuaders Properly
Temple Grandin, Livestock Handling Specialist, Colorado State University
Electric prods, Temple Grandin argues, should be replaced with such alternative driving aids as plastic paddles, flags, and ribboned sticks.

Electric Prods and Cattle
Ontario Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
The use of prods and the danger of overusing them. This factsheet includes a list of effective alternatives to prods.