Effect of straw bedding on cattle behaviour at rest stops during commercial long-distance transportation

Abstract

Transport is a common and stressful practice for cattle, with longer trips potentially increasing negative effects. No studies have examined the impact of bedding on beef cattle behaviour at rest stations. This study aimed to (1) assess the effects of straw bedding, and (2) examine associations between load, trip, and animal-related characteristics with cattle behaviour at rest stations. Fourteen truckloads were split upon arrival; cattle were assigned to bedded (n = 452) or non-bedded (n = 470) pens. Numbers of animals lying, eating, and drinking were recorded every 10 min for 8 h. Two mixed logistic regression models (lying and eating) with random intercepts for load and truck compartment, and one ordinary logistic regression model (drinking), examined associations with bedding, load, trip, and rest station variables. Bedding affected lying and eating, but effects varied with motion duration and time in pen. Eating was influenced by space allowance, with different effects across categories. Weight influenced lying (p = 0.001) and eating (p < 0.001), independent of bedding. Drinking was associated with sex (p = 0.009), motion duration (varied effect by category), and time in pen (p < 0.001), but not bedding. Bedding increased the odds of lying sooner, and eating later, suggesting it may help reduce fatigue in cattle transported long distances.