Farm Animal Welfare

Cattle Cull Cow Transport Welfare

Cull cows transported to slaughter at end of productive life face significant welfare risks from poor body condition, lameness, and vulnerability to transport stress.

Key Facts

Cull cows may be thin, lame, or medically compromised when transported to slaughter
Unfit for transport animals should be slaughtered on-farm but on-farm slaughter is underutilised
Journey times and transport conditions affect cull cow welfare significantly
Bruising rates in cull cows are higher than in market cattle reflecting poor condition
Pre-slaughter inspection should identify welfare problems requiring immediate attention

Welfare Considerations

Cull cows transported in poor condition face disproportionate welfare suffering from transport stress that healthy animals could tolerate. Fitness-to-transport assessment and on-farm slaughter for genuinely compromised animals prevents unnecessary suffering at the end of productive life.

What You Can Do

Advocate for mandatory fitness-to-transport assessment for cull cows
Support on-farm slaughter as an accessible option for compromised cull animals
Engage with dairy supply chains about cull cow welfare management standards