Transporting livestock, of any kind, presents a host of challenges that need to be considered before a person ever hooks up to any kind of trailer. Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) now offers a course for producers to take that goes over the various aspects of transporting livestock, especially cattle. This new course is called Beef Quality Assurance Transportation (BQAT) and is offered through the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension.
BQAT is offered in two formats: one for the professional driver, focusing on hauling cattle in tractor-trailer loads, and one for the rancher or farmer who may be hauling livestock in a more traditional stock trailer. A professional driver is a driver that is typically hauling livestock in a tractor-trailer combination totaling approximately 80,000 lbs. The professional driver is required to have a Class-A CDL and required to adhere to current commercial travel laws. Some processors and/or feedyards also require professional cattle haulers to be BQAT certified to haul into their facilities. A rancher or farmer will not have strict hauling regulations compared to a professional driver but nevertheless will find the BQAT class informative and helpful to their business. Both BQAT courses include critical information on fitness for transport, safe loading and unloading, recommended loading densities, cattle behavior and handling, travel considerations, and biosecurity and emergency response preparedness.
Before hauling livestock, producers should consider some key elements before they begin:
- What am I hauling?
- Where am I going?
- How am I going to get there safely?
What am I hauling?
In Arizona, hauling cattle has many components that need to be considered. Are cattle fit for transport? Are there various age and weight differences that could make the load uneven? Do I have a load of cows and bulls and want to split the load and make it more uniform? Are you hauling dry pairs, thin Holstein cows from the dairy, or finished steers? To ensure the safety of the livestock and drivers on the road, questions like these and others need to be answered and planned for accordingly.
Fit for transport
Scoring cattle to ensure they are fit for transfer is critical before loading and hauling. Body condition scoring (BCS) cattle can help ensure that cattle can be hauled without incident (Figure 1). The BCS system uses numbers to describe the relative fatness or body composition of the cow. The scoring system for beef cattle has a range of 1 to 9, with 1 representing very thin cows and 9 representing very fat cows (extension.missouri.edu).
Many times, BCS directly correlates with an animal’s ability to travel. Cattle that have a body condition score of 1-2 may have difficulty remaining upright in the trailer and should be separated from other animals if possible. Do not ship animals with a body condition score 2 or less to harvest, they will not be accepted.
When discussing fitness for transport, another metric to consider is mobility score. Animals that have a mobility score of 3 or greater need extra consideration when transporting, such as loading them last and unloading first. Mobility score 4 should only be transported when absolutely necessary. Drivers that choose to haul animals that score a 4 or neglect to notice animals unfit for transport, take more liability upon themselves for animals being down or deceased upon arriving at their destination. If you are transporting directly to harvest, do not transport any animal that you think may not walk off the trailer and into the facility upon arrival. Remember that many facilities require cattle to walk a significant distance from the offload point to enter the plant and they will not accept an animal that is nonambulatory (BQAT manual).
Mobility score 1
- Normal
- Walks easily
- No apparent lameness or change in gait
Mobility score 2
- Minor stiffness, shortness of stride or slight limp
- Keeps up with normal cattle in group
Mobility score 3
- Obvious stiffness, difficulty taking steps, obvious limp or discomfort
- Lags behind normal cattle in group
Mobility score 4
- Extremely reluctant to move, even when encouraged
- Statue-like
Sorting and loading density
Care should be taken when loading a trailer to avoid problems such as too much or too little room. If only a few cattle are loaded, confine them to a smaller part of the trailer using gates if possible. This gives them the ability to use the trailer walls and each other for stability. However, do not overpack cattle into any compartment or the entire trailer. Overcrowding can cause overheating or injury during transport. Avoid hauling mixed sizes of cattle together (example, weaned calves with mature cows), as larger animals can accidentally trample or crush smaller ones. Sort animals by size, class, sex, or condition depending on what cattle you are transporting as well as the size and type of trailer you will be using.
Where am I going?
When hauling livestock, it is important to keep in mind the end destination. Producers might be hauling across state lines or from one end of the ranch to the other. No matter the end destination, there are some considerations that need to be addressed before hauling livestock.
Traffic and weather conditions along travel route
Weather can be especially volatile in Arizona. It may be clear and pleasant in the southern part of the state and be stormy in the northern part of the state. Or a beautiful 75-degree day up in the mountains and 110+ down in the valley. In addition, special consideration needs to be given during the monsoon season. Some locations in Arizona, like the Phoenix metro area, are subject to significant travel delays due to traffic conditions. Standstill traffic coupled with extreme heat, can pose a serious risk to a load of cattle. A driver might avoid Phoenix in the summer to guarantee that animals do not sit in a trailer during rush hour traffic in 120-degree weather. Adjust your travel plans to accommodate adverse weather conditions and typical traffic patterns to ensure a safe arrival at your destination. It the livestock. Another consideration when planning your trip is possible detours because of construction or natural disasters like wildfire. There are several apps available for your mobile device to help, including weather apps, GPS maps that include real time traffic information, and the Arizona Department of Transportation App. You can also call 511 at any time for updated traffic information within the state of Arizona.
Applicable state or national regulations when crossing state lines
There may be stricter laws and regulations in other states, like Trichomoniasis or Bangs testing cattle meant for breeding. Cattle may require a brand inspection and/ or health certificate from a veterinarian. Be aware of the change in policy and regulation. Check with your state’s Department of Agriculture to see what the requirements are. The website www.interstatelivestock.com can aid you in determining what the regulations are from one state to another for many classes of livestock. There is also the U.S. Animal Welfare Act (AWA) that sets a standard for humane animal transport for commerce. The AWA ensures that animals have adequate ventilation, secure enclosures, food/water provisions, temperature control if necessary and contingency planning.
How am I going to get there safely?
One of the main things that need to be considered before animals are ever loaded to haul, is the truck and trailer. Doing a pre-trip inspection can have a large impact in ensuring safe travel for drivers and animals. Checking parts like tires and axles on both truck and trailer and ensuring lights and brakes work on the trailer are essential. When checking the trailer ensure that the floor is in good working condition and can withstand the load. Check the sides of the trailer to make sure there are no cracks or broken elements of the trailer that could harm livestock as they are being hauled. Make sure that trailer gates can properly be secured and that all safety mechanisms are in place. Lastly, ensure that the spare tires for both the truck and the trailer are in good working order.
While driving, remember safety is your priority. Your safety, the safety of others on the road, and the safety of the cattle in your care is in your hands. Minimize movements that might cause cattle to lose their balance, like aggressive braking or quick turns. Be aware of traffic conditions so you can brake gradually. Obey traffic laws such as speed limits and recognize that you may need to slow down for curves more with your trailer in tow. Avoid distracted driving, set up your phone for hands free (there are inexpensive aftermarket options available if your truck is not equipped with this feature), prepare your GPS maps and routing before you begin driving, and take regular breaks to avoid
driver fatigue.
Conclusion
Hauling livestock is looked at by some as a job while others do it as a hobby. Whether you are a professional driver or driving kids to stock shows, it is crucial to consider what you’re hauling, where you’re going, and how best to get there. Being proactive while hauling livestock allows you to get to your destination successfully and ensures that the livestock are as healthy and stress free as possible. If possible, producers should take a BQAT class to learn industry standards for hauling cattle and implement those practices to protect the product they supply as well as the others on the highway.
References
Beef Quality Assurance. (2021). BQA Transportation manual. https://www.bqa.org/Media/BQA/Docs/bqat-manual_02-10-2021-91.pdf
Grandin, T. (n.d.). Mobility scoring of cattle. https://www.grandin.com/references/abstract.mobility.scoring.cattle.html
Interstate Livestock. (n.d.). Interstate Livestock. https://www.interstatelivestock.com
U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2023). Animal Welfare Act. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal-welfare
University of Missouri Extension. (n.d.). University of Missouri Extension. https://extension.missouri.edu