The May period is a time of year when livestock transportation is perhaps at its peak. The return of grazed heifer animals to the home dairy platform, the off-farm grazing of cows for the winter, the sale of prime animals, the destocking of culls prior to winter and farm sales mean transfers of stock mean carriers have a logistical challenge.
As veterinarians, we are consulted on the transportation of livestock and can treat or certify animals suitable for transport if the farmer is unsure. The involvement with your local veterinarian can help avoid situations where stock are transported and are not fit enough to endure the journey without suffering pain and distress. Ethical transport operators and stock agents will guide you to seek veterinary advice if you have animals that are marginal in terms of transportation.
Recent experience highlights that many experienced farmers are still uncertain of what conditions can be made worse through transportation, particularly around the area of lameness, cancer eye, body condition, horns and late pregnancy.
Lameness, in particular, is a contentious area. Even if an animal has suffered a severe traumatic event i.e. fracture or soft tissue injury veterinary attention must be sought immediately. It is no longer acceptable to leave an animal suffering pain and distress in the 'back paddock' for five-six months and then seek a veterinary certificate for fitness to transport. The key point here is that livestock must be able to weight bear on all four limbs and not have a definite limp. The backline must be straight and their heads must be above their backline as a guide.
Horns must not project beyond the length of their ears, not ingrown, bleeding or causing injury to other stock.
