The period from farm to abattoir is one of the highest welfare risk periods for cattle, with transport stress, mixing, and lairage conditions causing significant welfare compromise that is substantially preventable.
Transport stress in cattle involves fear, physical exertion, injury from falls and fighting, noise, vibration, and temperature extremes. Mixing unfamiliar cattle in lairage causes aggressive interactions and injury. The cumulative stress of the pre-slaughter period is measurable through cortisol levels, pH of meat, and behavioural indicators. Shorter journeys, single-farm loads, and skilled lairage handling significantly reduce this welfare impact.