Rules for transporting cows and which transport to choose, required documentation

Proper transportation of livestock is one of the important conditions for livestock farming. The transportation of cows, bulls, and calves is organized in such a way that during the moving process the animals do not get injured or lose their physical condition. Even if they are sent for slaughter, transportation in violation of established rules will lead to a decrease in the weight of the animals and a deterioration in the quality of the final product.

Basic rules for the transportation of cattle

Animals can be transported by road, rail, or waterways. Most often, transportation is carried out by cars or livestock trucks.When moving cattle, you must follow the following rules:

1. It is advisable to transport livestock along highways. A smooth road will allow you to carry cargo without painful “bouncing” of the car. Move smoothly, without jerking.
2. In cold weather, maintain the temperature inside the body in the range of 12-16 °C with a humidity of 70%. In the warm season, temperatures up to 30 °C and humidity up to 60% are considered favorable conditions. If the temperature rises, then it is worth turning on ventilation at a speed of up to 0.3 m/s. Do not transport livestock in conditions of high temperatures and humidity. In this case, it is better to travel at night.
3. If you have a long trip ahead, then every 6-8 hours you need to stop and check the availability of food and water, and the physical condition of the animals. Make rest stops every 10-14 hours, removing the livestock from the transport. At the rest stop, feed the animals and give them a rest.
4. Milk cows at least once every 12 hours.
5. Adult animals should be separated from each other by strong partitions and securely fixed. Young animals can be tied more loosely, but consider the area of ​​the vehicle so that the calves can lie freely on the floor. Place the bulls at a safe distance from each other. You cannot transport bulls and cows in the same vehicle.

Depending on the duration of transport, calves can be transported standing or lying down. Also, for each adult cattle, you need to calculate the amount of food and water. The tables show acceptable parameters.

By adhering to these rules, you can transport animals to their destination without harming their health.

Recommendations for preparing for transportation

Before the trip, you need to make preparations. To transport animals without complications, it is advisable to first perform the following steps:

1. Check the health of livestock by passing veterinary and sanitary control. Also, a month before the intended transportation, complete the entire range of veterinary procedures, including the necessary vaccinations.
2. For a long trip, a month before the start, introduce into the animal’s diet the food that will be used during transportation. This will help avoid gastrointestinal dysfunction on the road.
3. Based on the weather forecast, choose a day with favorable climatic conditions.
4. Prepare a detailed route plan and calculate the time.
5. If there are stops along the way, then provide resting areas with high-quality hay and water.
6. Check the operation of the temperature control system. Ensure the cleanliness of drinking devices.
7. Collect all necessary documents.

Before the trip, animals should be well-fed and well rested. The hair of animals is cleaned with a brush. Hooves must be treated with a 5% formaldehyde solution or 10% copper sulfate. Also provide for quick loading and unloading of livestock.

Loading and unloading

When loading and unloading, you need to use gangways and ladders with guardrails on the sides. Bridges should not be slippery; in addition, they can be equipped with profiles for better adhesion. Must have an inclination of no more than 30°.

The corral must be carried out during daylight hours. If the procedure takes place at night, ensure good lighting. Same-sex animals are driven into one car, otherwise a strong partition is installed between females and males.

Transport intended for moving cattle

Most transportation within the country is carried out by road. Livestock transporters can move large numbers of animals. They provide all the conditions for careful transportation of livestock:

• there are heating and ventilation systems;
• separate pens for animals with strong partitions;
• automatic manure collection systems, drinking machines;
• lighting to monitor the condition of animals;
• The covered vehicle has ventilation hatches in the floor to remove gaseous waste products of animals.

If you need to transport several animals, then small specialized Gazelle vehicles are used. For example, cows in a gazelle can comfortably travel to a remote location. The distance can be up to 1000 kilometers. Such vehicles are convenient to use if you need to transport livestock from your private farm.

Documentation authorizing the transportation of cattle

Transportation of cattle is regulated by legislative acts. To avoid problems during transportation, it is necessary to obtain all permits and certificates. If animals are to be moved to another region of Russia or abroad, the following documents are required:

• waybill and waybill;
• veterinary certificate and State Veterinary Supervision certificate authorizing the transportation of cattle;
• sanitary passports of animals and a veterinarian’s report issued before shipment;
• To export outside Russia, you need permission from the Ministry of Agriculture and transit documents.

To move within the region, it is enough to have a veterinary passport, a certificate issued in Form 1, and permission for transportation from the chief veterinarian of the region.

To transport cattle, it is better to contact companies specializing in this type activities. A car that is not prepared for transportation can cause large financial losses. Before transporting cows or bulls, it is necessary to prepare accompanying documentation.