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Despite being considered a major stressor for livestock, transportation is performed at different stages of an animal's life. Breeding, exhibition, growing and fattening and especially slaughter are the reasons for transporting live animals. Around the world, current production systems and the distance from farm to abattoir mean that live animals must be transported by aircraft, ships, trains and a large variety of road vehicles. In North America, the most common means of livestock transportation is by land. Road and weather conditions, vehicle type, travel distance and driving quality can affect animal health, welfare and performance as well as product quality.