Don’t Send that Cow to Market!

By: Dr. Dan Thomson and Dr. Tiffany Lee, Kansas State University

Cull cows and bulls represent 35 to 45% of all cattle slaughtered for beef in the United States (NASS-USDA, 2013). Even though the welfare of most beef and dairy cows is good for the majority of their lives, as they reach their production potential and decline due to disease, anatomical/mechanical disorders, or old age, welfare can become severely compromised.

When cows depart from the herd because of sale, slaughter, or death, they are usually termed “cull” animals (Fetrow et al, 2006). In dairy cows, reproduction, mastitis, decreased yield, udder conformation, and feet/leg problems are the most common reasons that animals are culled from herds (Bascom & Young, 1998). In beef cattle, reproductive failure, feet problems, vaginal and uterine prolapse, cancer eye, lump jaw, and udder conditions are the most common reasons for culling (Greer et al, 1980).

Cull cows from beef and dairy farms are a significant source of beef produced in our country. Cull cows and cull bulls can represent up to 20% of a cow/calf operation’s revenue.

Although cull cows and bulls are important to beef production, they are often not discussed when it comes to food safety and animal welfare. In this column, we will discuss improving the quality of cows presented to the auction barn or the slaughter facility.

Why is this topic important? The producer perception is that cull cows wind up as ground beef. However, in the 2007 Market Cow and Bull Quality Audit performed by BQA, the authors indicated that 84.7% of cow slaughter facilities were producing ribeyes, tenderloins, inside round, strip loin and other cuts of beef from cull cows. Regardless of whether the beef is ground or sold as steaks, cull cows should be fit to transport and be fit to enter the food supply chain.

The animals we send to slaughter reflect our industry as a whole. Some cows are not fit to be transported nor should they be sold to enter the food chain. Auction markets are public places of business and it must be considered that animals sold there are being presented to the general public. In the end, we need to stop sending impaired cattle through the marketing system and we need to keep them out of the food chain.

Down or debilitated cows going to slaughter or mistreated are not representative of our industry, but they are the potential poster child for a group wanting to make a video of animal mistreatment.

By law, animals which are unable to walk are not accepted at any packing plant, small, medium or large.

Furthermore, down animals should never be dragged or lifted with chains. These animals should be moved with some sort of support underneath the animal such as a sled, a lowboy or the bucket of a loader. These animals are intensive care patients for veterinarians and producers.

A recent survey of slaughter facilities around the world indicated that most down cows presented at slaughter were specific farm issues (Vogel et al., unpublished data). This indicates that while most producers practice good welfare and keep these animals on the farm, a small group still send inappropriate animals to slaughter.

On the farm, when down cows are not responsive to therapy, relief of suffering through humane euthanasia should be conducted sooner rather than later.

If you are wondering what constitutes animals not fit for transport, the World Animal Health organization or the OIE has published a list on their website at: http://web.oie. int/eng/normes/mcode/en_chapitre_1.7.3.htm. According to this source cows with the following conditions are not fit for transport: those that are sick, injured, weak, disabled or fatigued; those that are unable to stand unaided and bear weight on each leg; those that are blind in both eyes; those that have a severe open wound or prolapse; those that cannot be moved without causing them additional suffering; newborn animals with an unhealed navel; pregnant animals which would be in the final 10% of their gestation period at the planned time of unloading; females travelling without young which have given birth within the previous 48 hours; and those whose body condition would result in poor welfare because of the expected climatic conditions.

It is essential that the conditions that cull cows leave the farm be discussed by the producer and the veterinarian. Animals with conditions such as those discussed here are not fit for transport to any facility other than a veterinary clinic for evaluation and correction, or in cases such as severe cancer eye and non-ambulatory animals, euthanasia.

If and only if these problems are addressed, corrected, and proper withdrawal times are observed for any drug administered, cull cows can be transported to an auction barn or slaughter facility. Veterinarians must be astute when evaluating these animals, and honest when giving their educated opinions on whether these animals are fit for transport.

It is very easy for one to look the other way, or pass the problem along when culling cows from the herd. With good ethics and sound husbandry skills, we can improve this area of the cattle industry and create sound animal welfare practices that consider both producers’ interests and those of the industry as a whole.

In the end, sending cull cows to slaughter is an important source of revenue to beef producers and a great source of beef for consumers.

We as an industry need to be sure that we send animals that are fit for slaughter and fit to eat. Never send down cows, non-ambulatory cows or cows that may go down during transport to slaughter.

Producers need to make the decision on when to cull a cow from the herd sooner rather than later. Many times, it is difficult to define exactly which animals should or should not be sent to slaughter. However, if you wouldn’t slaughter the cow or bull for family beef or if you wouldn’t want folks on the evening news to see the animals you send, we recommend that the animal not be presented for slaughter.

Again, make sure to work with your local veterinarian on such decisions and make sure to adhere to all drug withdrawal guidelines.

Cull cows are a significant source of revenue and beef. We need to be vigilant in the process of providing a safe, wholesome, nutritious product for our customers, and use good welfare practices while doing so.