Management decisions made before transport had a far greater influence on calf health and survival than transport duration itself, according to a retrospective study. The message wasn’t that transport doesn’t matter. Rather, it showed that successful transport begins long before loading day. Transport success can be improved by viewing the journey as the final step in a much longer process.
“Key health-related factors play a much larger role in calf mortality at weaning than transport duration,” asserts Juan Piñeiro, PhD
Source: Bovine Veterinarian, August 3, 2026. Link. Andrea Bedford shares six areas to evaluate before calves ever leave the dairy.
For veterinarians; transport discussions should become whole-herd management discussions. For producers; recognizing that the trailer is not where transport success begins.”
Article photo by Gustavo M. Schuenemann and Juan M. Piñeiro)
Related: Clean farms, dirty trailers, National Hog Farmer, September 8, 2026. Link. Market hog trailers are farms on wheels: Without proper sanitation, they can contribute to virus spread.
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