Expert advice from the vet for moving stock

Gypsy Day is an exciting and busy day. Every little detail needs to be well planned to make sure the movement of family, household, farm machinery and stock goes with the minimum of stress.

Clutha Vets has some expert advice to offer regarding the movement of stock. Whether the cows are being walked or trucked to the new location, the factors to consider are the same.

Along with knowledge of the legal regulations, you need to be aware of what you can do to minimise stress on the cows, and not compromise their health and welfare.

This is especially important now that Mycoplasma bovis has become a problem; stress is often a precursor to the disease.

A checklist can be really helpful – Which day are they leaving? How soon after drying off? Who is going to move them? How long will the trip be? Where will they be unloaded? How long will they be yarded at either end? How, what and when will they be fed and watered before leaving and on arrival? Which staff will be given these tasks? Are all cattle fit to be moved?

Cows must have adequate body condition score at drying off for transport. Of course this is really important for them to get back in calf in Spring, too.

They must have sufficient energy reserves (both in the gut and body tissue) to withstand the stress of the trip. All cows under BCS 3 should be assessed by a vet prior to transport.

Some cattle may need to be managed differently from the rest of the mob (from now on) or transported at a later date, if transport is not appropriate on Gyspy Day.

Lame cows require special consideration too. If the plan is to walk the herd, there may be a group for which trucking is more appropriate.

If they are unable to bear weight and walk evenly on all four legs, they should not be transported. Again, it may be necessary to hold a cow back until she is fit enough to make the trip.

Even with the best laid plans, unfortunately cattle may become injured getting on and off the truck, or go down in the truck.

Talk with your transporter about allowing adequate time to load and unload the trucks, to avoid having to rush the animals in an unfamiliar and potentially dangerous environment.

Minimise the risk of injury by checking yards and loading ramps for hazards prior to the day of transport.

Don’t allow a dangerous gap between the truck and the ramp. Make sure enough staff are on hand at each end of the job.

If magnesium supplementation has stopped at prior to drying off, it is worth restarting it at least three days before transport, to reduce the risk of metabolic conditions developing on the truck. 80-100g of CausMag (providing 12-20g of dietary magnesium) should be adequate.

If a cow does go down in the yard or on the truck, it is important to have lifting gear on hand; as well as calcium, magnesium and dextrose solutions.

Have a first aid kit ready, with metabolic bags, anti-inflammatories and antiseptic spray. Be aware of withholding times for both the cow and the calf.

It is important to be able to access help quickly if something does go wrong. Have on hand the contact numbers of local veterinary clinics in a new area, just in case veterinary assistance is required.

A topical issue this year of course is the presence of Mycoplasma bovis. It is important everyone involved with the movement of stock is aware of the biosecurity measures needed to prevent its spread.

■ Determine the health history/ mycoplasma records of the animals coming onto your farm.

■ Graze animals from as few different farms as possible. Ask for the bulk milk M. bovis test results of the 2017/18 herd if available. ■ Ask about the health of the cows and calves during the 2017/18 season – including calf health, mastitis, pneumonia, ear infections and swollen joints.

■ Set aside land where new animals can be kept, separate to stock already on farm, for seven days for quarantine purposes. ■ Use a mobile ramp to unload cattle directly

into paddock or laneway.

■ Stagger arrivals of cattle from different mobs into yards- ideally a week between mobs.

■ Yards can be sprayed with disinfectant; including virkon, trigene, vetsan (all made to manufacturer’s directions), or 0.2% citric acid solution (made by mixing 1tsp to 1 L water)

■ Complete all NAIT movement records

■ Double fence between herds so there is no nose to nose contact.

Being well prepared can help avoid many of the potential problems that can be associated with shifting cattle.

Only shift cattle that are in a fit state for the trip, and prepare them with adequate feeding and extra mag. Ensure adequate time and staffing for the job.

Check for cow hazards, and be prepared for things to go wrong – that way nothing will go wrong, and there will be one less cause for stress on the big day!

- Editorial supplied