Cattle that are handled in a safe, quiet and a responsible manner will incur less shrinkage. Livestock will shrink to a much greater degree if they are handled roughly or left to stand for long periods of time in a strange environment without feed or water, especially animals that are young and unweaned. To curtail losses in net return, minimize shrinkage when marketing animals. Summary Shrinkage is the most controllable factor in livestock marketing. Net returns on livestock are determined by both the market price and the cost of marketing those cattle.
Shrinkage is a physical loss of value and has a great influence on net return.
As shrinkage increases, net returns decrease. This loss can be minimized by understanding how shrinkage occurs and following management practices that reduce shrinkage. Cattlemen can add to their income by carefully handling livestock and choosing marketing methods that minimize shrinkage. Cole, A. Influence of Realimentation Diet on Recovery of Rumen Activity and Feed Intake in Beef Steers , Journal of Animal Science, Vol. Price, M.A. 1981, Shrinkage in Beef Cattle , Feeders Day Report, University of Alberta Rawls, E.L. 1981, Shrinking Cattle Shrinking Dollars , Feedlot Management, Vol.