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. 2023 Jan 3:101:skad300.
doi: 10.1093/jas/skad300.

Influence of handling in corrals on the temperament of different breeds of beef cattle raised in Brazil

Anielly de P Freitas  1   2 , Maria Lúcia P Lima  1 , Flávia F Simili  1 , João A Negrão  3 , Flavio S Schenkel  4 , Claudia Cristina P de Paz  1   2
Affiliations

Influence of handling in corrals on the temperament of different breeds of beef cattle raised in Brazil

Anielly de P Freitas et al. J Anim Sci. .

Abstract

The objective of the present study was to verify the effect of handling in corrals on the stress of beef cattle of Nelore, Caracu, and Guzerá breeds through the analysis of the relationship between behavioral traits, growth, and blood parameters. A total of 778 records of entry scores, chute scores, exit scores, flight speed, cortisol, glucose, lactate, live weight, and body condition scores were collected on steers and heifers of the three breeds, born between September and December. The animals came from the Advanced Beef Cattle Research Center of the Animal Science Institute. The variance analyses were performed using the GENMOD procedure. The PROC CORR estimated Spearman correlation coefficients for all traits studied, and the principal components analysis was performed according to the procedure PRINCOMP. Heifers had higher reactivity than steers, with higher behavioral scores and blood parameters. Overall, Caracu individuals demonstrated lower reactivity in comparison to Nelore and Guzerá. However, they presented high stress when they were restrained. The principal component analysis highlighted that behavioral traits and blood parameters were contrasted with growth traits; thus, this analysis can help selectors (livestock farmers) understand the importance of selecting less reactive animals and more easily choose the animals they want to select for breeding. Our results indicate that handling in corrals could be considered a stressful event for bovines. For this reason, measuring blood parameters and behavioral traits can compose necessary decision-making tools regarding changes and adequacies while handling events to reduce stress and consequently improve the herd's reactivity.

Keywords: principal components analysis; reactivity; stress; taurine; zebu.

Plain language summary

Some scientific studies have shown the negative effect of poor handling on the welfare and temperament of animals. Furthermore, there is evidence that more reactive cattle present the highest blood cortisol concentrations indicative of stress. In our study, the objective was to evaluate and quantify the temperament of animals from three different breeds of beef cattle in a stressful situation handled in the corrals. Differences in behavior between breeds and sexes were also analyzed. Through a statistical method, such as principal component analysis, we verified that exit and chute scores are better behavioral indicators of animal stress, allowing the development of sound management practices, especially when passing through the corrals.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest for this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
View of the entry, restraining, and exit of the two handling corrals used in the study, the familiar corral and the new corral. Source: Personal file.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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