In the majority (42 %) of plants assessed, 0-1 % of cattle vocalized, while over 10 % of the cattle vocalized in only 8 % of the plants. Repeated use of an electric prod was responsible for as high as 17 % of the vocalizations. Reducing the voltage on an electric prod was able to reduce vocalizations by 5 % in one plant. Addition of illumination to a dark entrance and addition of a false floor to a conveyor restrainer was sufficient to reduce the number of cattle who backed up or balked by 8-15 %. Because the number of cattle who balked was reduced, electric prod use was also be reduced. In one plant, reduction in the pressure exerted by a neck restraint reduced the percentage of cattle vocalizing from 23 to 0 %. The mean percentage of cattle who vocalized in the plants initially was 12.8 %. After all of the modifications were made in the plants, the mean percentage of cattle who vocalized was reduced to 0.8 %. Thus, vocalization scoring was proven to be an efficient method for identifying handling and equipment problems that had the potential to compromise animal welfare.