IF you’re selling livestock to the saleyard or in a private sale, it’s important to consider whether the stock can be transported correctly.
Agriculture Victoria has created a livestock transport checklist to help farmers prepare and plan their trips. Technical specialist with Agriculture Victoria, Kirstie Anderson, said the transport of cattle, sheep or goats involves rules and regulations across a number of agencies.
“The new ‘Transporting livestock responsibilities and recommendations’ webpage provides everything farmers need to be across from market expectations to curfews, animals being fit to load, planning the journey and getting the paperwork right,” she said.
The checklist includes links to resources relating to market specifications such as age or dentition, weight, fat or condition scores, withholding periods, Livestock Production Assurance (LPA), Meat Standards Australia (MSA) or other quality assurance program information.
Producers, stock agents and transporters can access curfew advice and information as well as links to MSA handling requirements and standards to better understand specific supply chains.
The page has links to Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines, including the handy and easy to use booklet, ‘Is the animal fit to load?’.
For more information visit the ‘Transporting livestock responsibilities and recommendations’ page on the agriculture.vic.gov.au website.
