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Economic factors associated with livestock transportation

N. C. Speer^*,1, G. Slack and E. Troyer^*

Department of Agriculture, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY 42101 and National Institute for Animal Agriculture, 1910 Lyda Avenue, Bowling Green, KY 42104

¹ Correspondence: phone: (270) 745-5959; fax: (270) 745-5972; Email: nevil.speer{at}wku.edu.

Abstract

Primary economic considerations associated with transportation of livestock normally consist of direct costs associated with common freight charges. Variables that dictate freight charges include load size, hauling distance, difficulty in reaching pickup or delivery destination, and any special handling that may be required during transportation. However, indirect costs that might be incurred also need to be considered. These costs are somewhat difficult to identify and define because limited documentation and quantification exist within scientific literature. Shortfalls, in terms of personnel and/or equipment, can contribute to additional costs to the transportation process and are most commonly associated with handling of livestock during the loading and unloading process. Handling animals that are accustomed to and comfortable with, people will generally result in few problems with respect to transportation and economic losses. Trucks and facilities should be properly maintained while personnel trained with respect to proper transport and livestock-handling techniques. Communication with truck drivers should be used to establish awareness of how their management can influence the value of animals and can possess implications for the entire livestock industry. Strategies to correct shortfalls within respective livestock industries should include recommendations to improve current transport systems for improved animal welfare and minimization of excessive stress, injuries, mortality and/or carcass-quality defects. The industry would benefit from identification and quantification of economic losses associated with transportation-management shortfalls. Effective implementation of changes will dictate the need for further research to improve identification of potential losses and quantification of shortfalls with respect to transportation economics. Development of transportation critical control points will lead to improved efficiency within the livestock industry and improved consumer perceptions.