We all want our livestock to be safe, happy, and stress-free, don’t we? We want our cattle, goats, and lambs to trust us and feel comfortable during handling and transportation processes. Well, Queensland producer Glenda Henry and her partner Collin Valler have shared some valuable insights on how to achieve just that. Let’s dive into the world of handling and transporting livestock with care and consideration.
Glenda and Collin, who run Bellarine Boer Goats alongside their Brahman cattle and fat lambs in Emerald, have highlighted the importance of familiarising weaners with handling processes. According to Glenda, this practice can make a significant difference for both the producers and the animals in the long run. By making livestock comfortable with transport, yard handling, and loading, producers can streamline processes and reduce stress for their animals.
Transporting livestock can be a daunting task, especially if you’re not well-prepared. Glenda emphasises the importance of building trust with your animals and creating a safe environment for them. By moving weaners around paddocks in a trailer and making loading a familiar experience, you can help your livestock feel more at ease during transportation. This simple step can have a big impact on how smoothly the entire process goes.
Handling goats, in particular, requires some extra consideration due to their nature as jumpers and climbers. Glenda advises adding coverings to trucks and trailers to prevent goats from escaping during transport. Additionally, ensuring that animals are comfortable and have access to water and electrolytes before the journey can help alleviate stress and make the trip more pleasant for them.
When it comes to preparing livestock for transportation, Glenda has a few key tips that can make the process easier and more efficient. These tips include: familiarising goats with handling, loading, and transportation from a young age, using trusted operators who practice low-stress handling, and ensuring that animals are fit for the intended journey. By following these guidelines, producers can help their livestock stay calm and comfortable throughout the transportation process.
Here are Glenda’s top tips for transporting goats:
– Familiarise goats with being handled, loaded, and transported as weaners.
– Use trusted operators who practice low-stress handling.
– Yard goats the day before the trip and discuss time off feed and water with your transport operator.
– Consider a layer of straw in the bottom of a truck for comfort and to reduce slipping.
– Consider adding electrolytes to animals’ water in advance of transport to assist their response to travel.
– Ensure trucks and trailers are covered to stop goats jumping out.
– Avoid transporting pregnant goats in the third trimester.
– Ensure animals are fit for the intended journey.
– Consider the weather conditions as goats are susceptible to the cold.
– Follow the Australian Land Transport of Livestock guidelines available from the Transport Hub.
By following these tips and taking the time to prepare your livestock properly, you can ensure a smooth and stress-free transportation experience for both you and your animals. As Glenda and Collin have shown, a little effort and consideration can go a long way in creating a safe and comfortable environment for your livestock during handling and transportation processes.
So, the next time you’re gearing up for a trip with your cattle, goats, or lambs, remember to take the time to familiarise them with the process, create a safe and comfortable environment for them, and follow these expert tips for a successful journey. Your livestock will thank you for it, and you’ll enjoy a smoother and more efficient transportation experience overall.
If you found this article helpful and want to stay up-to-date on more useful tips and insights for livestock handling and transportation, subscribe to Cattle Weekly’s Newsletter today. Join our community of producers who are dedicated to providing the best care for their animals and learn from experts like Glenda Henry on how to improve your livestock management practices. Stay informed, stay connected, and keep your livestock safe and happy.
