The Colorado statesman., 1914-01-17
CATTLE IN TRANSIT
Information on Shrinkage Of Beef
Cattle.
After Special Study Uncle Sans De-
partment of Agriculture Gives Cause
of Loss in Weight in Railroad
Shipment to Market.

ranches to the markets has been made
a subject of special study by the de-
partment of agriculture, and what is
believed to be the first authentic in
formation on this subject has been
compiled The investigation covered
three years in various cattle raising
sections of the west. The cattle were
weighed at the point of loading, on
arrival at their destination, and again
after having rest feed and water.
The weight was also taken when the
animals were sold. The records in
clude the weighing of Texas and
northwestern range cattle and calves,
and of corn-fed, silage-fed, and beet
pulp-fed cattle. In all 265 shipments
were weighed, comprising over 10000
cattle. Many of these shipments were
several days on the road and in such
cases were weighed at the unloading
points as well as at the first shipping
point and at the market.
The transfer Of cattle from the
farm or ranch to the market usually
necessitates drive to the railroad
and a further journey on the cars.
These drives may vary in distance
from few hundred yards to more
than hundred miles, depending upon
the location of the ranch, while the
railroad journey may consume any
time from few hours to several
days. All cattlemen know that when
their stock arrives at market they are
usually lighter in weight than when
they started. This loss in weight is
called shrinkage
The loss in weight during the jour
ney is due to excretions from the ali
mentary canal. from the urinary or
gans and from moisture given off by
the lungs in breathing. A portion of
this loss may be regained at the mar
ket by the food and water taken into
the system. The consumption of this
food and water at the market is
termed the fill"
The shrinkage in weight of cattle
in transit to market is the difference
between the weight of the animals at
the point of origin and the weight of
the animals on arrival at destination
The net shrinkage is the difference
In the weight at the point of origin
and the weight of the animals when
sold at the market after taking the
fill.
The shrinkage of cattle in transit is
such variable factor that no one can
say definitely how much 1t will be
during a journey, but by the use of
very large numbers of cattle an av-
erage shrinkage will be obtained
which may be used as basis for
estimating the amount of shrinkage
on cattle shipped under similar con-
ditions
The net shrinkage was found in the
departments Investigations to range
all the way from Is to rs pounds per
head, or from 2.14 to per cent,
depending upon the length of time and
other conditions. The time that the
cattle were in transit varied from
less than "a hours to more than 72
hours. The normal shrinkage may be
regarded as from 3 to per cent. of
live weight
The extent of the shrinkage de-
pends upon various factors, among
which are the conditions at the time
of shipping and the treatment during
the drive to the leading pens: the
length of time the cattle were held
without feed and water before being
loaded; the nature of the fill before
loading-the greater losses occurring
when this consisted of succulent
grass. beet pulp or silage, the wealth
er and climatic conditions at the time
of loading, while in transit, and at
the market; the character of the run
to market, greater shrinkage natural
ly being caused by slow, rough runs; 4;
the time of arrival at market If the
cattle arrived just before being sold
the fill was small. Cattle that were
shipped long distance and arrived at
market during the night usually did
not fill well. If they arrived the aft
,ernoon before or about daylight of
the same day they generally took a
good fill.
An exceedingly large fill at market
is not desired, as it will detract from
the selling price.
The shrinkage of cattle was found
to vary in direct proportion to their
live weight when conditions were the
same and all other factors were equal
The shrinkage during the first %
hours is greater proportionately than
for any succeeding period of the same
duration. The shrinkage on cattle is
proportionately smaller for each Il
hours they are in transit after the
first 24-hour period is passed.
The difference between the shrink
age of cows and steers is not as great
as is ordinarily supposed. Steers will
usually shrink somewhat less thar
COWS of the same weight.
The shrinkage on calves seems
small. but under normal conditions u
holds about the same proportion tc
their weight as is found with growr
cattle.
The shrinkage of range cattle ir
transit over 70 hours during a norma
70 ..fA ,,i.