SUPPLY CHAIN DELIVERING VALUE CATTLE BEHAVI TR IGGERS HEALT Astudy of cattle behaviour “The more severe the lung inAustralian feedlots scores were, the lower the hasidentified new carcase performed. behavioural distinctions “This isn’t surprising, but it becomes between healthy and sick important when we talk about cattlewhich could help in associations between animal earlierdiagnosis and treatment behaviour and lung consolidation of Bovine Respiratory or pleurisy scores at slaughter.” Disease (BRD). Behaviour clues The project was funded by MLA “We found that cattle which ended in consultation with the Australianup being sick spent more time at the Lot Feeders’ Association (ALFA) feed bunk in the first six days after and led by US veterinarian arrival at a feedlot than healthy cattle. Professor Brad White of Kansas “Importantly, the cattle spent State University and Precision more time at the bunk in the late Animal Solutions. evening and early morning hours Researchers analysed data and less time at the bunk during collected by remote early diseasedaylight hours, compared to the identification (REDI) technologyhealthy cattle.” at several Australian feedlots toAnother key finding was the illustrate specific relationshipsbehavioural difference between the between individual and group sick and healthy cattle at water. behaviour in cattle and the “Again, in the first six days at the associated health outcomes. feedlot, the sick cattle spent REDI technology provides objective,more time at the water,” Professor 24‑hour‑a‑day behavioural White said. monitoring to determine changes“Healthy cattle would spend in wellness status. between 1.5% and 2% of their time Researchersanalysed animal at the water, but sick cattle might behaviouralend 2.5% of their time orspdata,disease more at occurrencese water in those first six days.thand the magnitude of lung lesions associated with“This differed by time of day as well. BRD at slaughter. During the daytime, the water in a Early behaviour critical feedlot pen is much like the office ProfessorWhite said the researchwater cooler – it’s a place where providesnew insights through cattle socialise. remote monitoring, which could “During the day, we often see cattle improve BRD detection and go up to the water in groups of four, treatment rates, as well as animalfive or six, hang out for a while, then welfare and productivity outcomes.move away. “We found there were some “However, at night, if they go to the important behavioural distinctionswater, they tend to be as singles between healthy and sick cattle,because they’re thirsty – it’s not which carried through to their a social activity. So we observed lung scores at slaughter and thensick cattle going up to the water through to carcase performance,”overnight more frequently, likely Professor White said. because they’re dehydrated.” 32