Behavior of beef cattle at auction ring

This work was aimed at characterizing the behavior of beef cattle at an auction ring. 1572 animals were computed. Of this total, 1317 animals were crossbred Bos taurus taurus x Bos taurus taurus and 255 were pure European breed Bos taurus taurus. The animals were evaluated at the auction track during the IV Calves and Heifers market, held at Pinheiro Machado, RS. Temperament was evaluated according to the attribution behavior scores of the animals reaction when they entered (EEP) and moved (EMP) in the auction track. Scores could assume values from 1 to 4, low scores indicate calm animals whereas high scores indicate highly resistant animals to enter into auction ring (EEP) or highly agitated animals (EMP). Average facial whorl location (RED) was registered for each group of animals based on individual scores. Data were analyzed through linear association test according to procedures freq (Cochran-Mantel-Haenzel test) and corr (Pearson) of statistical program SAS (1989). Crossbred animals showed higher scores values for EEP (1.57 x 1.18, P<0.05) and EMP (1.63 x 1.18, P<0.05) and facial whorl was located well above the eyes level compared to animals with predominance of European blood (3.27 x 2.48, P<0.001). Facial whorl location was positively correlated to EEP (r=0.48; P<0.0001) and to EMP (r=0.49; P<0.0001). Crossbred animals showed greater reactivity than European animals when managed in an auction ring. Facial whorl location may be an auxiliary tool to identify highly agitated or fearful animals. EMP could be used to identify animals with worse temperament.

behavior; bovine; genetic group; temperament