Behavior, Welfare, and Meat Quality of Japanese Black Cattle Under Different Transportation Methods

Abstract

Despite extensive research on livestock transportation, the specific effects of different transportation methods on the behavior, welfare, and meat quality parameters of Japanese Black cattle (JBC) remain unclear. This study is the first comprehensive investigation comparing two transport methods: same farm (SF) and multiple farm (MF), while accounting for combined factors such as distance and introduction of unfamiliar animal along the journey. A total of 42 JBC steers (784 ± 81.3 kg) from three production farms (Farms A, B, and C) were observed using focal sampling at a slaughter facility. Generalized linear models (GLMs) were used to analyze the effects of two transportation methods. Results showed that cattle transported via the MF method exhibited significantly higher frequencies of drinking (p = 0.005) and eating (p = 0.005), suggesting increased fatigue. Additionally, self-grooming behavior was significantly higher in Farm B under the SF method (p = 0.002). No significant differences in meat quality parameters were observed between the two transportation methods. These findings suggest that transporting animals from SF method may help reduce transport-related stress upon arrival at the slaughter facility. Further investigation is needed to explore the physiological and economic implications of different transportation methods.