Evaluation of the new Jarvis ‘Stealth’ box in improving animal movement

Improving animal welfare during handling at processing plants is essential. Jarvis Australia developed the “Stealth Box,” a new restraint unit designed to reduce noise and stress during livestock handling through innovations such as silencer manifolds, nylon linings, and rubber matting. The unit also integrates advanced pneumatic and electrical stunning systems with monitoring capabilities.

This research aimed to validate the Stealth Box’s effectiveness in improving animal behaviour, meat quality, and acoustic conditions, while also exploring the potential for automated animal welfare monitoring using sound analysis. Data were collected from eight beef processing plants to compare animal behaviour, handling practices, and meat quality before and after installation. Results showed cattle were 1.74 times less likely to receive handling aids post-installation (60% vs. 80%), indicating improved welfare. However, noise reduction was limited, suggesting a shift from physical handling to less intrusive methods such as whistling.

Meat quality and pH results suggested possible improvement, though data were limited. Acoustic monitoring revealed changes in the sound environment, reflecting behavioural and operational differences across plants. While AI-based acoustic monitoring is feasible, further research and larger datasets are needed to overcome variability and optimise automated welfare surveillance.