Transport is one of the most acute welfare challenges in cattle production. Understanding and minimising transport stress through design, management, and duration limits improves welfare significantly.
Transport welfare compromise in cattle involves acute stress from loading, unfamiliar conspecifics, vehicle movement, noise, and unloading at destination. Research consistently shows elevated cortisol, reduced immune function, and weight loss from prolonged transport. Minimising transport duration, maintaining established social groups during transport where possible, ensuring vehicle design with non-slip floors and adequate ventilation, and conducting loading and unloading with trained handlers using low-stress techniques reduces welfare compromise substantially.