LETHBRIDGE, Alta. — A research project in Alberta has revealed cows tend to get stressed out during transportation.

The early results of the study won’t surprise most cattle haulers, who are accustomed to hauling the finicky animals to market.

Lethbridge beef researcher Gerry Mears says, “The ability to objectively measure stress in cattle would allow producers to cut production costs and losses associated with stress by altering management practices to minimize stressful situations.”

During the initial stages of the study, Mears found there were high cortisol concentrations and heart rates in cattle after a three-hour truck ride than before they were loaded. Other stressful times being examined include weaning, relocation, diet changes, branding, and, quite understandably, during castration.