Calves are getting bruised in transport trucks, NZ study shows

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2026-08-06 03:00

New Zealand

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Almost 3 in 4 calves transported to meat processing plants in NZ end up with at least one bruise bigger than 1.5 cm across, finds a study by a veterinary research company. Researchers examined calf carcasses at two meat processing plants, finding that bruises were most common on the calves’ knee joints. However, calves killed on a farm before being transported were much less likely to be bruised. The researchers said this may be because the steel floors of trucks aren’t suited to young calves, which tend to want to lie down. They say this is a significant welfare issue, which could be improved by increased space and better truck flooring.