REBEFAR – Management and nutrition strategies during transport and arrival to recover suckling calves on feedlots

The REBEFAR project aims to improve the health and welfare of suckler steers during transport and on arrival at fattening farms, through management and nutrition strategies that reduce stress and optimise recovery.

The beef cattle sector relies on imports of suckler steers from other regions or countries, therefore ensuring that the impact of transport on health and welfare is minimised, and improving the recovery of the animals’ condition on arrival is a priority for the sector.

To achieve these objectives, we are working in two main areas of action:

1) Transport

Transport is a critical stage in the transition of steers to fattening farms. During this process, they can suffer stress, dehydration and intestinal alterations that affect their health and development. To minimise these effects, rebefar implements:

✅ Feeding system to trucks to ensure that steers ingest nutrients during the journey.
✅ Reduction of total transport time to reduce stress and loss of body reserves.

2) Arrival

Adaptation of steers to the new environment is key to their growth and welfare, recovery needs to be optimised and the need for veterinary treatment reduced, these strategies are developed:

✅ Immediate access to drinking water to avoid dehydration.
✅ Different feed formats to improve intake and digestive adaptation.
✅ Inclusion of fibre in the diet to support intestinal function.
Use of emulsifiers in milk to enhance digestion and nutrient absorption.

REBEFAR is a project led by Vilarta SA and Corporación Alimentaria de Guissona SA, with the participation of IRTA as a technology centre and under the coordination of the Association of Beef Cattle Farmers of Alcarràs and Asoprovac Catalonia.

Project co-funded by the EU through PEPAC 2023-2027 intervention 7161