SHRINKAGE OF CATTLE IN TRANSIT.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2006, 13 March 1914, Page 10

SHRINKAGE OF CATTLE IN TRANSIT.

INVESTIGATIONS IN AMERICA,

Nonnal depreciation of cattle incidental to shrinkage in transit is heavy, but it is grievously aggravated by train, delays; tho most inexcusable is standing time at waysido stations, and terminals. Tho Department of Agriculture in the United States is engaged in investigating this matter., and for three years past lias gathered some- interesting data, mainly in the south-west. These- investigations show that shrinkage of range qattlo in transit over 70 hours during a normal year is from 5 to 6 per cent, of their-live weight. If they are in transit 36 hours or less tho" : 'shrinkage will range from 3 to 4 per cent, of their live .weight. .

.Shrinkage of fed cattle does not differ greatly from tliart of range cattle for equal periods of time. Cattle fed on silage have a large gross shrinkage, but usually fill so well at market that the net shrinkage is small. Pulp-fed shrink niore in transit than any other class of cattle, ' and also presont a greater net shrinkage.

For a long journey the common method of unloading for feed, water, and rest is to be preferred to the use of «"feed aud water" cars. If cattle are to be in transit for 24 hours or longer it is a good plan to "feed about two bales of bright .hay for each carload a. few hours, before loading. An excessive fill of water or or grass just before' loading is not good for' the cattle, as it may cause them to scour.

' The net shrinkage fras 'found in tho Department's investigations to range all the way from 15 to 75 pounds per head, or from 2.14 to 7 per cent., depending upon the length of time and other conditions. The tinio that the cattle were in transit varied from less than 24 hours to, more than 72 hours. Tho normal shrinkage may bo regarded as from' 3 to 6 per cent, of live weight.