Elanco's Cattle Mobility Assessment Program

All information in this blog post is derived from my interview with Dr. Michelle Calvo-Lorenzo: Chief Animal Welfare Officer, Elanco Animal Health

Elanco's Cattle Mobility Assessment Program, launched in 2014, serves a diverse range of stakeholders including customers, industry professionals, the scientific community, nutritionists, and veterinarians. The program aims to provide comprehensive insights into fed cattle mobility trends across the United States. By using third-party observers, independent of Elanco, the program ensures objective assessments of cattle mobility throughout the beef supply chain. The collected data forms a robust database that is used to publish findings, conduct educational sessions, and help customers and partners better understand cattle mobility trends.

Key Benefits and Applications

The data from this program is invaluable for updating protocols, facilities, and training programs, ultimately enhancing animal welfare across the industry. Understanding these trends allows stakeholders to make informed decisions that improve the management and welfare of cattle.

Mobility Scoring System

A crucial element of the program is the mobility scoring system, specifically designed for fed cattle. This program employs a four-point scale to assess cattle mobility, where a score of zero indicates normal, healthy movement, and a score of four signifies severe mobility issues, with cattle being extremely reluctant to move.

This system, created by the North American Meat Institute's Animal Welfare Committee, includes training videos for feeders, researchers, and veterinarians, ensuring that it is well-understood and effectively implemented. The scoring system is tailored for beef cattle in the feedlot phase, allowing for precise assessment of movement problems from a welfare perspective.

Understanding Mobility Scores

The scoring system addresses the unique management and production phases of beef and dairy cattle, recognizing that these animals, though similar, require different approaches due to their varying roles and physical demands. The scores range from zero (normal movement) to four (severe issues), enabling a clear understanding of what constitutes normal versus abnormal movement in these animals.

Elanco's program includes a wide array of stakeholders to ensure that these scores are understood and applied correctly. This program helps the entire industry to update protocols, facilities, and educational programs to continually enhance animal welfare.

How Animal Welfare Decisions Improve Operation Efficiency

Animal welfare decisions are increasingly being tied to operational practices, enhancing both welfare and efficiency. By maintaining high welfare standards—such as ensuring quality feed, adequate water, proper pen conditions, and routine maintenance of facilities—producers can improve overall production efficiency. Key welfare practices, such as timely euthanasia and handling, are essential for both ethical and economic reasons.

These practices contribute to more comfortable, less stressed cattle, which in turn improves productivity. Positive human-animal interactions and low-stress handling from the farm level to the transport and plant levels ensure better animal welfare and operational outcomes.

Enhancing Transport and Handling Practices

Cattle are often assessed for mobility during shipping. Data from the program has identified several risk factors affecting mobility, such as weather conditions, transport distances, and mixing fit-for-travel and compromised animals. By addressing these factors—through better preparation, efficient loading and unloading, and proper handling—producers can enhance cattle mobility and overall welfare.

For example, avoiding prolonged wait times, using low-stress handling techniques, and maintaining good truck conditions can significantly reduce mobility issues. These practices not only improve animal welfare but also benefit producers economically by ensuring cattle reach their destinations in better condition.

Access to Resources

Producers interested in adopting mobility assessments can refer to training videos created by the Meat Institute. These resources help producers apply the scoring system effectively within their operations, ensuring improved welfare and efficiency.

Training Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QIslfHCvkpg

Listen to the Full Interview Here: https://youtu.be/K3psZNRYagc