Understanding and Managing Cattle Shrink
Dr. Jane A. Parish, Associate Extension/Research Professor, Animal and Dairy Sciences, and Dr. Justin D. Rhinehart, Assistant Extension Professor, Animal and Dairy Sciences, Mississippi State University
Cattle are typically marketed and transported several times in their lives. Marketing and transportation can be the most fatiguing and stressful events in a feeder calf’s life. Each move not only stresses calves and increases the risk of bovine respiratory disease and associated death, but also results in weight loss that must be regained after arrival. In addition, shipping cattle typically involves feed and water deprivation that contributes to weight loss.
The Beef Blog 