Bruising in cattle transported over long distances

The relative susceptibility of cattle of different sexes to bruising was examined in five trials. In each trial there were three groups of cattle--bullocks, cows and mixed (bullocks and cows). The weight of bruised tissue trimmed from the carcases of the cows was significantly greater than that trimmed from the carcases of bullocks. The amount of bruising in cows, but not in bullocks, increased with increase in duration of journey. There was no evidence to suggest that differences in carcase weight or temperament, or "riding" of cows in oestrus were major contributing factors to the different levels of bruising.