By Michelle Calvo-Lorenzo

While the winter-like conditions still have a hold on some parts of the country, warmer weather is just around the corner. With the rising temperatures come concerns of fed beef cattle overcoming stress-related conditions during the hot summer, including cattle mobility.

Now is the time for feedlot operators and cattle producers to brush up on intervention strategies that can help optimize mobility and keep issues to a minimum. But first, let’s take a look at the current state of mobility monitoring among U.S. beef cattle.

Since 2014, the North American Meat Institute (NAMI) Mobility Scoring System has been used as an industry-wide tool to monitor beef cattle mobility. The scoring system provides a tool for trained observers to view, evaluate, and score the movement of cattle at feedlots or the packing facility. 

The scoring system is based on an index of one to four. A score of one indicates normal conditions, while a score of four indicates major challenges to movement. Details of the scoring parameters are outlined in Figure 1.

Numerous factors can affect mobility

One factor highly associated with poor cattle mobility is warm weather, as the proportion of cattle receiving an abnormal mobility score is greatest during the summer months when heat stress occurs.

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When cattle experience stressors at the feedlot, during transport, or at the packing plant, and that stressful event is compounded with heat stress, cattle will often become fatigued, breathe heavily, and walk abnormally. Thus, it’s important to minimize stress on cattle throughout the marketing process, particularly during the summer.

Another factor that tends to be associated with abnormal beef cattle mobility is long transport distances. In many cases, the longer the transport time, the higher the risk for abnormal mobility.

Finally, another common cause of poor cattle mobility is long wait periods on stationary trucks. Stationary trucks often offer poor air circulation and high temperatures, especially when loaded with large numbers of animals during times of high temperature and humidity levels.

Ensuring that trucks are in working condition before beginning the loading process is crucial to prevent significant welfare risks to cattle. Avoid unnecessary stops and in the event of a truck malfunction, unload cattle (whenever practical) to help prevent heat stress and possible mobility issues.

Prior to arrival at the plant, determine the current weather conditions at the plant and communicate with plant personnel on the anticipated wait time prior to unloading. If the plant is not ready for unloading at the scheduled time, develop an alternative plan that may include keeping the truck moving until the plant is ready for your cattle.

About 90% of cattle have favorable to normal mobility, however, this isn’t happenstance. Feedlot operators and cattle producers need to be aware of intervention strategies that can help decrease the risk for abnormal mobility.

4 practical tips to avoid mobility concerns

By encouraging the use of these practical tips and striving to minimize or avoid the causes of mobility concerns in the first place, cattle caretakers can ensure the welfare of their beef cattle and sustain continued success for their operations and industry.

Calvo-Lorenzo serves as a technical consultant for Elanco Animal Health, specializing in livestock welfare.