October and November are traditional weaning months for calves in Oklahoma and in this column, we will address how weaning and hauling calves impacts “shrink” or the loss of weight on the calves.
First of all, calves that are brought in from pasture, separated from their mothers, processed and loaded for market all in the same operation experience enough stress to shrink their weight by 5 to 8 percent. Calves that are weaned, bawled out and eat a little hay or feed tend to shrink much less. This is especially true if they have access to water and feed at the market prior to weighing.
How far the calves are hauled also affects the amount of shrink, as does the time it takes. The first mile is the worst, after that the shrink per mile becomes less severe. The table summarizes the results of a study with feeder cattle handled under various conditions.
Transit time appears to have the greatest influence on gross shrink. One can figure about 2 percent more shrink in a truck ride than in a drylot stand of equal duration. One research team, working with 100,000 head of cattle, reported that shrink occurs rapidly during the early part of transport, levels off and then gradually increases. Cattle shrank approximately 1 percent an hour for the first three to four hours and then 0.25 percent an hour for the next eight to ten hours.
Just loading and hauling a short distance can cost you 3 percent from pasture weight. Loading too many on a truck or trailer will result in even more shrink. Overcrowding causes uneasiness, nervousness and sometimes animals get down on the floor. This causes bruising, crippling and occasionally smothering.
Underloading also causes excessive movement and banging around which add to heavy shrinkage. When properly loaded, animals will fit easily into the compartment for hauling, but the entire area will appear occupied. Cattle that look uneasy or are trying to climb on the backs of others is a sure sign of overcrowding. Experienced truckers are a good source of information about the number of a given weight of cattle that should be safely loaded.
Sellers should strive to ship cattle with just normal fill. Buyers will bid less for overfilled cattle, but generally don’t compensate enough for shrunk-out cattle. Water and feed shouldn’t be withheld from feeder cattle before shipping.
The size of the group transported for market doesn’t affect shrink except for the additional time required to weigh and load large shipments.
Other factors that affect the amount of loss is if the truck is covered or not and if there is good footing for the stock. There is less loss with a cover. Sand at least 1 inch deep reduces shrink and injury in trailers with a slick floor.
If you have questions concerning this topic or related topics, please contact the OSU Extension Center at 273-7683, stop by the office, or visit our website: http://countyext.okstate.edu/pottawatomie.
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October and November are traditional weaning months for calves in Oklahoma and in this column, we will address how weaning and hauling calves impacts “shrink” or the loss of weight on the calves.
First of all, calves that are brought in from pasture, separated from their mothers, processed and loaded for market all in the same operation experience enough stress to shrink their weight by 5 to 8 percent. Calves that are weaned, bawled out and eat a little hay or feed tend to shrink much less. This is especially true if they have access to water and feed at the market prior to weighing.
How far the calves are hauled also affects the amount of shrink, as does the time it takes. The first mile is the worst, after that the shrink per mile becomes less severe. The table summarizes the results of a study with feeder cattle handled under various conditions.
Transit time appears to have the greatest influence on gross shrink. One can figure about 2 percent more shrink in a truck ride than in a drylot stand of equal duration. One research team, working with 100,000 head of cattle, reported that shrink occurs rapidly during the early part of transport, levels off and then gradually increases. Cattle shrank approximately 1 percent an hour for the first three to four hours and then 0.25 percent an hour for the next eight to ten hours.
Just loading and hauling a short distance can cost you 3 percent from pasture weight. Loading too many on a truck or trailer will result in even more shrink. Overcrowding causes uneasiness, nervousness and sometimes animals get down on the floor. This causes bruising, crippling and occasionally smothering.
Underloading also causes excessive movement and banging around which add to heavy shrinkage. When properly loaded, animals will fit easily into the compartment for hauling, but the entire area will appear occupied. Cattle that look uneasy or are trying to climb on the backs of others is a sure sign of overcrowding. Experienced truckers are a good source of information about the number of a given weight of cattle that should be safely loaded.
Sellers should strive to ship cattle with just normal fill. Buyers will bid less for overfilled cattle, but generally don’t compensate enough for shrunk-out cattle. Water and feed shouldn’t be withheld from feeder cattle before shipping.
The size of the group transported for market doesn’t affect shrink except for the additional time required to weigh and load large shipments.
Other factors that affect the amount of loss is if the truck is covered or not and if there is good footing for the stock. There is less loss with a cover. Sand at least 1 inch deep reduces shrink and injury in trailers with a slick floor.
If you have questions concerning this topic or related topics, please contact the OSU Extension Center at 273-7683, stop by the office, or visit our website: http://countyext.okstate.edu/pottawatomie.
