Did you know that transporting livestock by truck requires proper planning, coordination and sometimes the use of professional help? Here are some tips on what you need to know to successfully and safely transport your livestock.
Poor transportation can have serious effects on the welfare of animals, leading to a significant loss of quality and production in transported animals.
Tshepiso Madiga, owner of Shiira Boerdery, shares valuable information on livestock transportation and provides a checklist for loading a livestock trailer.
1. Check your transport
First and foremost, ensure that your vehicle is roadworthy, advises Madiga, who is a Kalahari Red and Dorper stud breeder. This is crucial for the livestock to reach its final destination.
“Depending on the type of livestock farmer that you are, vehicle accessories such as cattle rails also come in handy,” Madiga says.
According to him, the vehicle must have mesh sheet rails. Also, trailers or trucks must have a mesh sheet on the floor to prevent livestock from slipping.
2. Legal livestock documentation
In terms of the Stock Theft Act, South African law also requires farmers to have several important papers and documentation in place.
There is the livestock removal certification which contains important information such as the name and address of the owner of such stock or produce; the place from where and the place to where the stock or produce is being driven, conveyed or transported etc.
These documents are issued at the department of agriculture, land reform and rural development.
Madiga says, “A farmer or owner will need a certificate of registration of the animal. This document shows the owner’s details and the specific identification mark which he can mark all his animals with.”
3. Pen livestock the right way
Usually, 24 hours prior to transporting livestock, animals are put in very specific pens. Madiga explains it is important to prioritise the animal’s health and to cause minimal stress to the animals. Also, proper facilities eliminate the possibility of injuries to workers and animals.
“[On our farm] we ensure that every pen has access to unlimited water and food. We also separate the animals by sex, each pen will have male animals and another pen will have females,” he says.
Livestock are also penned as a method of quarantine. When new livestock is purchased, they are quarantined and penned for seven days (method of observation), Madiga explains.
Madiga shares valuable insights on how to pen your livestock. He explains why water is important, how they separate the animals, an important note on what happens before slaughter, quarantine of the animals and more.
4. Keep biosecurity top of mind
When moving cattle, do not forget about hoof care as it is an essential part of maintaining healthy livestock. Problems with hooves can be very painful for your animals and can ultimately decrease their production and performance.
This is why practising stringent biosecurity is essential when transporting livestock, Madiga says.
“People who export livestock quarantine the animals for 90-120 days. So, this quarantine period is very crucial for the animals. It also helps with the possible outbreaks of diseases which may occur.”
Tshepiso Madiga owner of Shiira Boerdery
In essence, quarantining animals is important to ensure that the animals are healthy and no diseases have interfered with the transportation of livestock.
ALSO READ: Mokatsane credits Voermol Premix 450 for thriving livestock
5. Moving livestock
The key is to always stress animals as little as possible, which is why the time of day you transport livestock also matters.
For example, experts advise that pigs be transported early in the morning (around 05:00 or 05:30) or late in the afternoon (around 17:00 or 17:30). This is because pigs do not sweat to regulate their body temperature so travelling during hot and humid conditions can be dangerous to the health of the pig. Loading early in the morning or late in the afternoon prevents meat damage due to stress.
With regards to the ruminants – sheep, cattle, and goats – which are more heat tolerant, these are loaded in the late mornings or afternoons. The animals are moved from the pens, to the chute and into the trailer or truck.
6. Can you restrain livestock?
South African law prohibits restraining livestock and it constitutes animal cruelty. “Rather load a ‘problem animal’ with another to calm it down. Use strong vehicles which are in good condition so there is no need to restrain animals while in transit,” Madiga recommends.
When moving livestock, it is also important to provide unlimited access to water and food preloading. On a three-hour trip, stop to check on the animals for any signs of stress, or water needed. Any trip longer than three hours must provide water and food when halfway in order to reduce stress.
ALSO READ: Why livestock branding is important for farmers
7. Here’s a livestock moving checklist
Covering all the basics will ensure that you and your animals are always on the safe side, Here’s a handy checklist for you:
Preloading checklist
- Check if the vehicle will be able to carry all animals.
- Check all gates.
- Check the bottom mesh of the trailer/truck if present and its condition.
- Check all transport documents.
Offloading checklist:
- Ensure offloading in a safe area.
- Ensure that there is sufficient water to assist animals to calm down.
- Ensure animals exit the vehicle the correct way. It must be a forward movement and never reverse, in order to eliminate the risk of injury.
Owners’ or drivers’ responsibility:
- Make sure all animals reach their final destination alive.
- Ensure all paperwork is in order.
- Ensure all animals are properly marked, this indicates ownership.
- All animals must be stress-free during transit.
- All animals must be able to manoeuvre easily in the vehicle.
- All animals must be in good body condition to be transported. Skinny animals are at high risk of death during loading, while in transit, or after offloading
Enjoyed reading? Tell us why with a quick 5-min survey!
Sign up for Farmer’s Inside Track: Join our exclusive platform for new entrants into farming and agri-business, with newsletters and podcasts.
