Meanwhile regional and district councils are issuing reminders to stand stock before movement and for transport operators to check effluent tanks are empty before loading.
With thousands of dairy cows on the move as sharemilkers and farm owners move to new farms for the 2014/15 dairy season – often over long distances – DairyNZ animal husbandry and welfare team manager Chris Leach says a good plan ensures stock arrive fit and well for winter.
“A cow’s diet is a good place to start,” he says.
Provide 12-20g/cow/day of elemental magnesium for three to four days either side of transport to help manage drops in blood magnesium due to transport stress, he advises. “If dusting CausMag, this equates to 80-100g/cow/day.”
Where cows will be going onto a different feed a transition plan is needed.
“Gradually ease them onto the new feed over 7-10 days prior to transport. If feeding crops over winter, allocate one to two hours of crop each day on the milking platform, while grazing pasture or feeding silage. This will help minimise the effects of a sudden change in diet.
“Animals must also be fit, healthy and able to bear weight on all four legs when being moved, so all farmers should check cows for any signs of ill health. Talk to your vet if you have any concerns.”
Prior to transport, cows should be off green feed for 4-12 hours but with access to good quality hay, baleage or dry feed and water. Use a standoff pad or grazed-out paddock rather than concrete. A grazed-out paddock is often best as it gives cows space to lie down.
Checks for Theileriosis are also advised for cattle from the North Island. Look for ticks and signs of the disease before loading and if taking in new stock from the North Island quarantine them for seven days, monitor for signs of anaemia and ticks, and treat.
“Theileriosis is transmitted by ticks and the single most important factor in its spread from farm to farm is the movement of stock… make sure the animals leaving are healthy and not tick infected,” stresses Leach.
Movements requiring NAIT records should be logged at www.nait.co.nz
Meanwhile councils’ focus is on the effluent factor, and not just for farmers: in the central South Island Selwyn District Council’s call is for farmers and motorists to be extra cautious.
“Take care on Selwyn’s rural roads at this time as many cows will be moving between farms if it’s a short distance, or shifted in trucks if they need to travel further,” the council says.
Farmers droving stock on state highways need consent from the New Zealand Transport Agency and, in Selwyn’s case, council consent for roads with a 70km/h speed limit and other high volume roads. It also has a rule stipulating no more than 400 cattle per mob for droving.
It recommends drovers wear high visibility garments, and use flashing lights and temporary warning signs to ensure they are clearly visible at 150m. On roads with bends extra caution is required, with signs or pilot vehicles warning motorists of stock ahead.
Plan the most direct route, during the day, avoiding peak driving times. If a council consent is needed, apply at least two working days in advance.
SDC also called for motorists to be patient, advising them to slow down when approaching cattle on the road, and not to sound their horn.
“Assess whether you can wait for the mob to reach their destination, or quietly move through the mob if it is safe to do so.”
www.dairynz.co.nz/transportingstock
