This is especially important when shipping fed bulls. How Shrinkage Occurs When the primary needs of the animal are not met and this is coupled with a change of environment, shrinkage occurs. Young calves and light feeders will suffer a rapid rate of shrinkage. As calves become older or are on feed longer, the rate of shrinkage moderates. Cattle need feed and water during the marketing process and this is evident in the fact that over 65 percent of shrinkage is a result of fasting.
Rest is equally important.
Those animals that cannot rest will experience an increase in shrinkage of 15 per cent to 25 per cent. Because of the social nature of cattle, they find it very disruptive to be mixed with others. Expect shrinkage to double when mixing occurs during the marketing process. The majority of shrinkage occurs within the first few hours of handling, sorting, loading and standing. When in transport the degree of weight loss levels off until it is triggered again by unloading, sorting, standing, mixing and fasting.