Comparison of image analysis, exertion force, and behavior measurements for use in the assessment of beef cattle responses to hot-iron and freeze branding.

Thirty-three steers (328 ± 2 kg) from a total of 300 animals were randomly selected for a comparison of techniques designed to quantify the behavioral response to painful procedures. The steers were randomly assigned to freeze-branding, (F), hot-iron branding (H), and sham branding (S) treatments. The responses of all steers were videotaped to quantify the amount and intensity of head movements during branding. In addition, the force that steers exerted on the headgate and squeeze chute during branding was recorded using strain gauges and load cells. Behaviors believed to be indicative of pain (tail-flicking, kicking, falling, and vocalizing) were also recorded during branding. These techniques were compared for their effectiveness in measuring behavioral responses of steers during branding. Hot-iron-branded steers had greater maximum and average head movement distances and velocities than F or S steers (P <.05), and F steers only had greater maximum values than S animals (P <.05). The maximum exertion forces obtained from headgate load cells were also greater in H than in F or S steers ( P < .05); however, no differences were observed between H and F treatments for squeeze load cell or headgate strain gauge data. Hot-iron-branded steers had the greatest incidence of tail-flicks, kicks, falls in the chute, and vocalizations, and S steers had the least. Results indicate that H steers experienced more discomfort at the time of branding than F and S steers, whereas F steers experienced more discomfort than shams. Image analysis was a superior technique for detecting treatment differences compared with exertion force measurements and frequency counts of tail-flicks, kicks, falls, and vocalization during branding.