Risk Factors Associated with Animal Mortality During the Receiving Stage of Feedlot Cattle Production Systems

Mortality in the receiving stage is considered a direct indicator of animal health and productivity, and it may also serve as an indirect indicator of animal welfare. This study aimed to identify the risk factors associated with animal mortality during the receiving stage of feedlot cattle production systems. A cohort study conducted between August-December 2022 and January-May 2023. The receiving stage was analyzed production systems at state of Queretaro, Mexico. An integrated checklist was applied to assess the transport, handling, and infrastructure of animal pens. A descriptive, bivariate and multivariate analysis to assess potential risk factors associated with mortality, using Stata version15 software. The receiving stage in feedlot cattle lasted an average of 24.9 days. Included a total of 2263 animals. Nineteen lots originated from the south of México. A mortality rate of 0.75% was observed. Multivariate analysis revealed that cattle lots in which animals slipped during handling had an IRR of 6.6 (CI: 1.08-40.22; <i>p</i> = 0.041), compared with lots where no slipping animals was observed. These findings suggest that optimizing unloading and animal handling process may reduce cattle mortality in feedlots. In addition, the implementation of welfare practices under veterinary supervision could further decrease mortality rates.