Transporting cattle over long distances without access to feed and water often leads to weight loss, commonly referred to as “shrink.” This loss, caused by the depletion of faeces, urine, and body tissues, impacts both animal well-being and producer profits.
In this BeefConnect webinar, Dr Tony Parker (Meat & Livestock Australia) and Dr Elizabeth Parker (The Ohio State University, Department of Preventive Veterinary Medicine) explain:
- Why shrink in cattle happens.
- How to estimate weight loss during transport.
- Simple, cost-effective strategies to reduce shrink and maintain animal condition.
- Practical tips for preparing cattle for transport to minimise stress and improve outcomes.
You can watch the full recording or use the playlist below to jump to the start of a particular section within the presentation (36 minutes:23 seconds; published 23rd July 2026 by FutureBeefAu).
Download a copy of the presentation – Driving Down Shrink (PDF, 2.23MB)
Additional audience questions were answered and can be found here: Driving down shrink FAQ’s (PDF 89 kB)
Additional resources:
- Preparing for transport- setting cattle up for optimum performance and health (FutureBeef)
- Livestock Transport Hub (MLA)
- Selling and transport regulations for cattle in northern Australia (FutureBeef)
- Research Paper – Dr Elizabeth Parker: Journal of Animal Production Science
Full recording
Playlist
- Driving down shrink: How producers can protect cattle weight in transit
- Industry Challenge
- Historical preparation of cattle
- Water access in 1980 at saleyards
- Why deprive cattle of feed and water during preparation?
- Where is the silver bullet for cattle body weight loss?
- Was the answer to minimizing shrink under our nose?
- Research aims and methods
- Criteria for study, variables considered
- Variables analysed for effects on body weight
- Results from analysis
- Results for univariable analysis
- Predictive model
- Predictive equation for body weight loss
- Growth and development in cattle
- Digesta weight increases with body weight
- Water compartments in the body
- Effect of animal size on body weight loss
- Effect of feed and water deprivation on rumen microbes
- Recovery of a functional rumen microbiota
- Case Studies: Assembly and Lairage
- Preparation of cattle
- Take Home Messages
- Preparing livestock for transport checklist