Gippsland › Latest news › Department of Primary IndustriesLivestock TransportationA number of issues need to be considered when transporting livestock. •Tell us your opinion •See what others have said A number of issues need to be considered when transporting livestock. The animal’s welfare, the suitability of the transporting vehicle or vessel, and the distance and time of travelling must be taken into consideration to reduce adverse effects on the animals. Prior to transport the stock should be inspected to ensure they are fit and healthy to enable them to cope with the transporting process. Some animals may be stressed by mustering. "The Code of Practice for Welfare of Farm Animals During Transportation," recommends that a rest period of at least 12 hours is beneficial for excitable animals such as cattle mustered by helicopter or light plane. This will reduce stress during subsequent transportation. Assembly yards should be provided with sufficient drinkable water to cater for the number of stock to be handled. If animals are to remain in yards for more than 24 hours before loading, or if animals are to travel for 24 hours or more, feed as well as water should be provided. Animals yarded just prior to loading may not have had time to empty out. This can result in a large volume of dung on the floor of the transport vehicle making it slippery and less safe for the animals. Transport vehicles can only hold a limited volume of material on the floor after which it may overflow on to the road and create a hazard for which the driver can be penalised. The transport vehicle or vessel must be suitable and in a condition so as not to cause injury. There should be no protrusions or sharp edges capable of injuring animals on the framework, doors, floors or partitions. Certain classes of stock, for example calves and adult cattle, should be transported in separate vehicles. Alternatively, they may be transported in the same vehicle if they are separated by partitioning. Loading facilities should be constructed so that they are unlikely to cause injury to animals. The ramp should be wide enough to allow for the hips of mature animals. Planning the loading well in advance will allow adequate time for stock to be loaded quietly and with care. Animals should be loaded in a way that does not cause them injury. During road transport inspections of animals should be carried out by either the driver or attendant, at roadside, not later than 30 minutes after commencement of the journey, and thereafter at intervals of at least every two hours. All journeys with animals should be completed as quickly as possible, within limits imposed by rest stops and road safety. Detailed guidelines on rest stops and the food and water requirements of livestock during transport can be found in the "Code of Practice for Welfare of Farm Animals During Transport". The Code of Practice is available on the NRE website at www.nre.vic.gov.au. Select Plants and Animals, then Animal Welfare and Management, Legislation and Codes of Practice, Codes of Practice for Animal Welfare. Then scroll down the page to Transportation. Animals should be unloaded as soon as possible after arrival at the destination. Injuries to stock will be reduced if they are given the opportunity to walk quietly off the vehicle. All stock should be given access to water when unloaded. Animals to be held in yards for 24 hours or more should be provided with food. IDENTIFICATION OF PIGS Alan Ross, Animal Health Officer, Box Hill. All pigs consigned for sale or slaughter must be identified with either an official tattoo brand or ear tag. This identification system is an essential part of disease control and chemical residue minimisation programs. The Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak in the UK, which caused severe economic and social consequences, highlights the need to be able to trace livestock to the point of sale. The FMD virus is excreted in high quantities in expired air and in all secretions and excretions. Pigs excrete in the order of 1000 times as much virus in the expired air, compared to cattle, sheep or other ruminants. The Livestock Disease Control Act 1994 requires:
Owners of pigs are required to make application to the DPI (formerly NRE), for the issue of a property identification number. This can be done by contacting Animal Health staff at DPI Offices in Box Hill (92964400), Ellinbank (56242222), Leongatha (56629900), Maffra (52470800) or Bairnsdale (51520600). Applicants will be advised by post of their new property identification number and where they can then obtain tattoo branding equipment and/or eartags from approved suppliers. Producers who cease to keep pigs on their property are required to notify the Department and return any unused tags. UDDERLY EASY MILKING "Summertime, and the milking is easy - but flies are biting and the cell count is high!" Not quite the right lyrics we know, but even in summer when milking routines should be at their easiest, some issues need careful management to ensure good udder health. Teats should be clean and dry when cups go on. This is important for good milk quality and to reduce the opportunity for mastitis-causing bacteria to be carried to the teat opening. When the heatwaves hit and you start up the sprinklers at the dairy, do the cows walk onto the platform with wet, dirty teats? If so, how will you adapt your milking routine? Try checking the cleanliness of teats on the first 10 cows that you are about to put cups on by taking white tissues or teat wipes and gently rubbing the bottom of the teats. Is there dirt or faeces on the wipes? If so, these teat ends are not clean enough. It’s better to increase the likelihood of cows entering the shed clean than to try to deal with dirty udders once they are inside. In summer in the hotter regions, this often means managing holding yards in a way that prevents slurries of manure and water from forming when sprinklers are operating. If teats do need washing, the best method is to use low-pressure hoses. During summer the heat makes "drip drying" a real possibility if cups on occurs 30 to 90 seconds later. Flies may also interrupt good milking routines by making cows (not to mention milking staff) fidgety. Cow behaviour is a good indicator of cow comfort. If flies are plentiful and cows are stepping (lifting a foot off the concrete) before the machines are attached, review your fly control management. If you would like to attend a Countdown Downunder farmer short course and learn more about how you can improve your cell count and mastitis control, gaining more dollars in you pocket then ring 1800 777 530 for bookings and/or enquiries. Next courses for 2003
The six day course will cost $174 to FarmBis eligible dairy farmers and includes course materials and lunch. Course days start at 10:30 am and finish at 2:30 pm. For more information, please contact Carol Bradshaw at DPI Ellinbank on Tel: 5624 2257 Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
 There are no responses to this topic yet. Start the discussion now Note: To start the discussion you will have to login with your member account. Related Articles
|
 | Baw Baw |  | Bass Coast |  | Cardinia |  | East Gippsland |  | Latrobe City |  | South Gippsland |  | Wellington |
|
© 2001-2024 gippsland.com
Print this page |
Email a friend this page |
Subscribe to Newsletter |
Feedback / Inquiries |
Login Edit Page | Edit Site | Uploader | Admin : 7.31 sec |
