Diagnostic study of bovine welfare during transport to a beneficiary plant in the Caribbean region of Colombia

A diagnostic animal welfare (AW) study was carried out during the terrestrial transport of cattle to a slaughtering plant in the Caribbean region of Colombia. A cross sectional analytical study was carried out on 20 drivers, evaluating demographic variables, attitude towards cattle and the management. Data of 59 trips (588 cattle) were analyzed, evaluating the conditions of the vehicles and determining load density, weight heterogeneity, distance traveled, waiting time before landing and the employee at the landing. Parts of vehicles are not used exclusively for transporting cattle and do not fully comply with the provisions of the ICA. Load densities were lower than those recommended, with values of 320.5 kg/m2 (SD=6.3) and 285.2 kg/m2 (SD=83.48) for small and large vehicles, respectively. Distance traveled was 21.6 km, on average. The average total wait and discharge times were 11.1 and 2.8 min, respectively. The distance traveled, the charge density and the discharge time were correlated with the number of hematomas and the pH of the cold carcass. Failures that have a negative effect on the welfare of cattle during transportation and unloading in the dressing plant and on the quality of the carcass were evidenced, together with the lack of training of the drivers in the AW