Gunnison news-champion., 1919-11-14
THE SHRINkAGE IN SHIPPING

Field and Farm:-
The shrinkage IN the weight of cat
tie IN transit TO market Is the differ
ence in the weight of the animals q;
the point Of origin and their weight
on arrival at the point Of destination
The net shrinkage IS the difference in
weight at the point Of origin and the
weight Of the animals when sold at
the market after taking Il fill. The
shrnkage Of cattle in transit is such
variable factor that no one can say
how much Il will be during n journey.
but by use Of very large numbers of
cattle an average of shrinkage will
be obtained which may BE- used as a
basis for estimating the amount Of
shrinkage on cattle shipped under a
similar condition. This net shrinknRe
ranges all the way from Is to rs lbs.
head, or from 2 to IL per cent, de-
pending upon the length of time and
other conditions. The time that cat
Tie are IN transit varies from less
than "a hours to more than ~ hours.
The normal shrinkage may be re-
garded a. from 8 to s per cent Of live
weight The extent of the shrinkare
depends upon yaious factors, among
which are the conditionsat the time
OF shipping and the treatment during
the drive to the loading pens; the
length of time that the cattle wee
held without feed or water before be.
ing loaded; the nature of the ill be-
fore loading-the greatest losses oc-
CURING when this consists of succu-
lent grass, beet pulp or silage; the
climatic and weather conditions at
the time of loading, while in transit
and at the market; the character of
the run to market, delays on the road,
greater shrinkage naturally being
caused by slow, rough runs; the time
of arrival at market. III the cattle ar
rive nj market just before being sold,
the fill is light. Cattle that are ship
ped long distance and arrive at
market during the night, do not fill
well. II they arrive the day before
or about daylight of the same day,
they generally take a good fill. An
exceedingly large fill at market is not
desired, as it will detract from the
selling price. The shrinkage of cattle
varies IN proportion to their live
weight when conditions are the same
and all other factors are equal. The
shrlnkage on cattle is proportionate-
ly smaller for each twelve hours that
they are in transit after the first "a
hour period is passed. The difference
between the shrinkage of cows steers
Is not SO great as is ordinarily suppos-
ed. Steers will usually shrink some
what less than cows Of the same
weight. The shrinkage on calves
seems small, but under normal con-
ditions it holds about the same pro-
portion to their weight as is found
with growing cattle. The shrinkape of |
range cattle in transit over 10 hours
during a normal year is from to 81
per cent OF their normal weight. III
they are in transit So hours or less,
the shrinkage will range from to
per cent of their live weight. The
shrinkage of fed cattle does not differ i
greatly from that Of range cattle forl
equal periods Of time. Cattle fed on |
s!!age have greater gross shrinkage
but usually fill SO well at market that
he net shrinkage is small. Pulp-fed
cattle usually shrink more in transit
than any other class and also present
a greater net shrinkage. For a long
journey the common method of un-
loading for rest, feed and water is tol
be preferred to the use of feed and
water cars. Cattle should be weigh
ed before shipping whenever practi-
cable, since a comparison with this
weight with the shipping weight will
show the net shrinkage. Moreover,
this weight at point of origin may
be of material benefit to the shipper
in case of wreck or a very poor run
to market and save delay in having
claims adjusted.