Cattle shrink every time they are moved. Producers may not be able to do much about the price they get for their cattle, but they can minimize shrink, writes Heather Smith Thomas. Sorting, loading, hauling to a sale and standing without feed and water can result in body weight loss of 15 percent or more.
Thomas explains two types of shrink a) excretory and b) tissue, noting how hauling and handling affect cattle on the move.
Source: Bald Face Bottom Line, August 2025. Link.
The number of actual pounds lost due to shrink may be more important than the price received for cattle.”
INSIGHTS: Last-minute, poorly planned handling is still the default for many producers. This article is worth sharing with those producers who still need to adjust their processes.
Image: Link.