Heat, thirst and distance: Livestock travel warnings for drought-stricken farmers

Western Victorian farmers are being urged to take extra care when sending livestock on long-distance journeys, as the region’s drought conditions heighten risks to animals.

Agriculture Victoria District Veterinary Officer Cathy Bunter said that while livestock often travel hundreds, sometimes even thousands of kilometres interstate for processing, careful preparation can make a substantial difference.

🐄 Prepping the cattle: “Where transport journeys are projected to be long it is important to have animals well prepared for the journey in terms of their nutrition, hydration and heat management,” Bunter said. 

Bunter said shorter transport distances bring a range of benefits, including reduced risk of injury, disease and death. 

Incidents increase substantially when stock travel more than 400km or endure trips longer than 30 hours.

🥱 Rest breaks for driver and livestock: According to Meat & Livestock Australia’s guidance on resting cattle during relocation: “An experienced transport operator will be able to provide professional guidance in relation to preparing your animals and will outline where animals will be unloaded and rested through the journey.

“Factors to be considered include forecast weather conditions, locations to feed and rest animals, total duration of the journey and where they will finally be delivered – for example to a feedlot or farm.”

📖 Rules, not suggestions: Bunter reminded producers and transporters that the Land Transport Standards are nationally mandated animal welfare guidelines, developed jointly by industry and government.

“Better preparation improves welfare outcomes, regardless of distance,” she said. 

“It is especially important where livestock are still recovering from the prolonged impacts of drought.”

The Agriculture Victoria advice also links animal welfare to meat quality, with less stressed stock producing more tender carcasses and higher consumer satisfaction, a benefit for farmers still recovering from the harsh conditions.