Safe transportation helps cattle stay healthy

Proper care of cattle does not stop when they get on the trailer.

Safe transportation is essential to making sure that animal arrives on the farm, at the sale barn or at the packing plant in excellent condition.

“You need to be very careful when moving livestock,” says Beth Doran, Extension beef specialist with Iowa State University based in northwest Iowa.

She says training programs such as Beef Quality Assurance or Transport Quality Assurance can run producers through the requirements necessary to obtain this certification.

Transport Quality Assurance is a certification program that trains pig transporters, producers and handlers. It includes training on the potential impacts transporting can have on pig well-being and pork quality.

Doran adds that good old-fashioned common sense also plays a role.

Cattle should be checked thoroughly before they get on the trailer.

“You want to score their mobility,” Doran says. “If they have a score of 1, they’re normal. If they’re a 4, they are stiff and not moving very well. Packers need to see them walk off that trailer, so you don’t want to take something you might be bringing home.”

Body condition also needs to be factored into any transportation decision. Doran says cattle that are too thin or too heavy may not be accepted by the packer without a huge reduction in price.

Health also should be considered. She says sick cattle should not be loaded until they are healthy enough to travel safely, adding most packers have health requirements that must be met before cattle are unloaded.

Doran also suggests cattle get some water prior to loading. She says on long trips, cattle should have access to some hay.

Once cattle are loaded, Doran says producers need to work on weight distribution to make sure the ride is smooth.

“You can look at the recommended numbers for each compartment, but nowadays we have steers that are 1,600 and 1,700 pounds and those recommendations might not work,” she says. “It's a much smoother ride with the cattle ahead of the trailer axle. If you don’t have a full load, most will use the upper compartment.”

She says cattle should be sorted by weight, adding females should be separated from males.

Doran says other factors will play a role, including temperature and the time of year.

“Once you’re on the road, if you have to stop, make it a very short stop,” she says. “Park away from other vehicles. You need to be able to keep air moving through that trailer.”

Doran says drivers should be well rested before they embark on a trip. She also suggests drivers have a contingency plan should they need to unload the animals before arriving at their destination.

Doran adds drivers should be aware of local biosecurity protocols before they unload any cattle.