Prepare livestock for transport

Wairarapa dairy farmers are being reminded to make sure cows are properly prepared for transport when being moved off-farm.

Nita Harding, DairyNZ development team leader for animal husbandry, said many farmers transport cows at this time of year, either to winter on another farm or as cull cows.

Dr Harding said there were several things farmers needed to do, and checks they should make with transport drivers before cows are loaded on to trucks, or trailers.

"Travel can be stressful for the animals and it's important they are well presented for transport.

"At this time of year, farmers who are wintering-off stock are moving animals which are in late pregnancy and they need to be handled with particular care and patience.

"Farmers should take the opportunity to have a good chat with the driver to make sure the truck is in good order for transport.

"Trucks need to have sufficient effluent collection capacity for the journey and be in good repair."

Dr Harding said farmers should make sure the truck has enough space, including crate height for larger cows, proper ventilation and that cows are protected from bad weather.

With the National Animal Identification and Tracing (NAIT) scheme coming into effect on July 1 it may be better to tag animals before transporting them, especially if the home farm has better animal handling facilities than the wintering block.

Dr Harding said when cows are being moved to a wintering block care must be taken to ensure there is a feed transition plan in place so the cows adjust to the different feeding of the two farms.

"A gradual adjustment over seven to 10 days is recommended," she said.

Cows should have a diet containing 80g to 100g elemental magnesium a day for three days either side of being transported as the stress of transport causes a drop in blood magnesium levels, so supplementation is needed.

Dr Harding said before being moved cows should be fit, healthy and strong and be able to bear weight on all four legs.

Cows in the last three months of pregnancy should not be transported over longer journeys than eight hours without a rest period, she said.