December 16, 1 9! 3. 
THE SHRINKAGE IN WEIGHT OF BEEF CATTLE IN 
TRANSIT. 
I. Southwestern Shrinkage Work of 1910-11 W. F. Ward. 
II. Northwestern Shrinkage Work of 1911-12 . . .... James E. Downing. 
III. Northwestern and Southwestern Shrinkage Work of 1911 W. F. Ward. 
IV. Summary of the Three Years' Shrinkage Work ? W.F.Ward. 
I. SOUTHWESTERN SHRINKAGE WORK OF 1910-11. 
By W. F. Ward, 
Senior Animal Husband man. Animal Husbandry Division. 
INTRODUCTION. 
The transfer of cattle from the farm or ranch to the market 
usually necessitates a drive to the railroad and a further journey 
on the cars. These i drives may vary in distance from a few hun- 
dred yards to more than a hundred miles, depending upon the loca- 
tion of the ranch, while the railroad journey may consume any time 
from a few hours to several days. All cattlemen know that when 
their stock arrives at market they are usually lighter in weight 
than when they started. This loss in Aveight is called shrinkage. 
The shrinkage in weight of cattle in transit to market is the dif- 
ference between the weight of the animals at the point of origin 
and the weight of the animals on arrival at destination. The net 
shrinkage is the difference in the weight at the point of origin and 
the weight of the animals when sold at the market. 
In shipping all animals there will be some loss in weight during 
the journey due to excretions from the alimentary canal, from the 
urinary organs, and from moisture given off by the lungs in breath- 
ing. A portion of this loss may be regained at the market by the 
food and water taken into the system. The consumption of this food 
and water at the market is termed the " jftll. 9 " 1 The loss in weight 
which occurs while the cattle are in the cars between the point of 
origin and the destination is termed " shrinkage en route " or "shrink- 
age before fill," and the loss in weight after the animal has had feed, 
water, and rest is termed the "shrinkage after fill " or the "net 
shrinkage," or simply as the shrinkage of the animal. In all parts of 
8472° —Bull. 25—13 1 
