Loading and unloading are the highest-risk stages of farm animal transport, causing the most acute fear, injury and mortality that can be significantly reduced through evidence-based handling.
Loading and unloading represent concentrated welfare crises in transport - the point where most injuries, deaths and acute fear occur. Animals that balk at loading ramps and encounter electric prods experience both the fear of the unfamiliar environment and the pain of electrical stimulation in a cascading stress response. Falls on slippery ramps cause traumatic injuries in already frightened animals. Low-stress handling training for stockpeople is one of the highest-return welfare interventions available in commercial livestock production, reducing both animal suffering and economic losses from bruising and transport mortality. The evidence for low-stress handling techniques is strong and the implementation costs are low relative to the welfare and commercial benefits.