Managing calf transportation: The Canadian perspective
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EmailAs more young calves are traveling the roadways, researchers have been gathering data to determine what challenges calves face due to transportation and what can mitigate those issues to give calves the best start and achieve high heifer completion rates.
For many dairy operations and calf raisers, transporting young calves from farm to another facility, potentially one that is in a different state, is a routine task, but one that can have lasting impacts on health, resilience and performance. During a Heifer Academy webinar, David Renaud, Ph.D. shared that transport decisions such as duration, calf age, nutrition and handling can significantly affect disease risk, growth rates and even mortality. Understanding these factors allows producers to manage the journey better to set calves up for long-term success.
In Canada, young calves can be transported for up to 12 hours, while the U.S. allows up to 28 hours and the EU permits 19 hours for calves over 14 days old. This lack of standardized, science-based guidelines highlights the need for research to determine which practices are best for the calf. Renaud’s team explored the benefits of rest stops during transport. They found that rest periods improved energy levels and growth in optimally aged calves but led to more handling, slightly increasing respiratory illnesses.
Global research supports the transportation of older calves. Studies from the Netherlands and Canada show that calves moved at 11 days or older had:
- 1.5 fewer days of diarrhea
- 2–3 fewer days of respiratory illness
- Up to 5 kg. greater weight gain over a 50-day period
The hidden challenge: Stress accumulates along the journey
Whether calves go directly from farm to raiser or pass through multiple auction and transport stages, each leg of the journey introduces stress. Colostrum intake, pre-transport nutrition, and calf age all influence how well calves cope with these challenges. Early-life stress weakens immunity, making calves more susceptible to diseases like diarrhea and pneumonia before they ever reach group housing.
Renaud’s research found that longer transport durations directly correlate with increased dehydration, illness and stress markers. In a study of 175 calves transported for 6, 12 or 16 hours, those on the longest trips experienced:
- Greater dehydration lasting up to 48 hours
- One extra day of diarrhea
- 2–2.5 more days of respiratory illness in 2 to 6 day old calves
- Energy depletion, shown by lower glucose and higher NEFA levels
Behavioral studies added further evidence: calves transported for 16 hours stood longer during transit but rested significantly more afterward. They also showed avoidance behavior toward environments resembling transport trailers, indicating that transport affects both physical and psychological well-being.
Doing right by the calf: Today and tomorrow
High-quality colostrum intake remains essential for all calves, whether they’re destined for dairy, beef or veal. Data from 1,000 calves showed survival rates rose from 87% to 97% when blood IgG levels exceeded 25 g/L. Effective passive transfer is one of the strongest defenses against transport-related stress and illness. If you are currently implementing a strong colostrum management program, you are already making a positive impact on that calf.
Feeding milk before transport, rather than only electrolytes or withholding feed, also supports better outcomes. Calves given milk before departure had lower NEFA levels and trended toward fewer illness cases, with no adverse effect on growth. This small management change can help calves better withstand challenges around transportation.
Transporting compromised calves is another major risk. Clear fitness checks should be enforced to avoid moving animals with:
- Fevers above 39.5 degrees Centigrade
- Umbilical infections
- Pre-existing diarrhea
- Depressed or dull behavior
Only bright, healthy calves should be transported to improve survival and reduce health-related costs. Reducing any stressor that a calf may face before, during, and after transport benefits the calf in the moment and in the future, as she has a decreased likelihood of non-completion.
Calf transportation is more than a logistical step; it’s a pivotal control point for long-term health and productivity. According to the findings shared by Renaud, producers can make a meaningful difference by reducing time in transit, transporting calves at older ages, feeding milk before departure, minimizing unnecessary handling, applying strict fitness-to-transport criteria and ensuring excellent colostrum management. These science-backed strategies lower disease risk, improve growth and enhance welfare. As David Renaud emphasized, continued research is needed to refine best practices, including breed-specific strategies, ventilation improvements and vaccination timing. Still, with the knowledge already available, farms can take proactive steps today to turn a stressful journey into a strong start.