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Evaluation of long‐haul shipping stress for beef calves transported from Hawaii to the contiguous United States (703.7)

Objectives of this study were to examine physiological parameters of weaned calves being shipped to determine response to long‐haul shipping; also, to determine the animals’ ability to adapt to the stress of shipment. Two shipments of weaned, Angus and Charolaise, female calves (n=48) were transported to Washington or California. Each shipment, the calves were divided and placed into two separate, bi‐level, four‐compartment, custom cowtainers. Vaginal temperatures (T°) were taken every minute. Blood was collected prior to shipment (P), upon arrival (A), and 6 days post‐arrival (PA). Blood work parameters (including substance‐P (SP), hematocrit % (H), bands (B), and white blood cell (WBC) numbers and differentials) were also used to determine physiological status of the animals. Overall T° values did not change significantly. T° only increased above normal range during insertion of temperature sensor, loading, unloading, trucking, and at Kawaihae, Hawaii. SP values showed a significant increase from P to A (p<0.001) and decrease back to normal from A to PA (p<0.001). SP values had no significant change from P to PA (p=0.45). WBC and B showed no significant differences for any time points. HCT significantly decreased from P to A and from P to PA (p<0.001). HCT values stayed within normal range for all stages. The study showed some physiological changes with shipping, however, animals quickly returned to a homeostatic physiological state.