MasterMaster CattleCattle TransporterTransporter GuideGuide

This project is funded by America’s Beef Producers through the Cattlemen’s Beef Board.

For more information, visit www.tbqa.org National Beef Quality Assurance Guide for Transporters Emergency Contact Information

Name/Organization, Location, Phone Number Dear Cattle Transporters,

Welcome to this Master Cattle Transporter training program.

As a transporter you play a critical role in the health and welfare of the cattle we raise. The proper handling and transport of cattle can reduce sickness in calves, prevent bruises, and improve the quality of the meat from these animals. By using best practices you and other transporters literally save the beef cattle industry millions, if not billions, of dollars each year.

Participation in this Master Cattle Transporter program is one way to show your customers that you are ready to take every step possible to keep their cattle healthy and safe as possible. This training will cover properly moving cattle up to and on to the trailer, distributing cattle correctly on the trailer, hauling techniques that reduce cattle stress, and handling emergency Publication Contributors situations. This training consists of a manual that we hope you will keep in your glove box and refer to often and a 45 minute long video training on a Anne Burkholder – Will Feed Feedyard DVD disc. Ken Real – Real Cattle Company Dell King – King Livestock Express On behalf of the over 800,000 cattle raisers in the United States I would like to express my appreciation to the vital work you do in delivering cattle Temple Grandin – Colorado State University safety to their destination. You are a critical link to our Beef Quality Dee – University of Nebraska Assurance program. Moreover, we appreciate you joining us in meeting our Tim O’Byrne – Calico Consulting goal of providing high quality and safe beef to the consumer. Dan Hale, Davey Griffin, Ron Gill and Rick Machen – Texas Cooperative Extension Many volunteer hours have gone into developing this program to provide Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance you the best training possible. I would like to thank the animal handling and transport consultants, producers, auction operators, feedyard managers, National BQA Advisory Taskforce packer representatives and university friends who have shared their time and Jay Gray – Graham Land & Cattle insight with us in the production of the manual and DVD. Janice Swanson – Kansas State University

Contacts and Questions about Again thank you for participating. Master Cattle Transporter Sincerely, Ryan Ruppert Dan Hale Director; Quality Assurance Programs Professor Animal Science National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Texas Cooperative Extension Office: 979-845-3934 Office: 303-850-3369 Ran Smith, DVM Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] 16 Chairman, National Beef Quality Assurance Advisory Board 1 Checklist Cattle Handling Biosecurity and Emergency Action Plan

Biosecurity Action Plan: 4 Cattle Vision In the event of a biosecurity concern, follow these procedures to aid in con- tainment of disease, contamination, intruder posing a threat to the health u Cattle have a wide area of peripheral vision, with only a small blind and well being of your livestock load. spot immediately behind the animal. u Do not approach cattle from directly behind. Assessing The Situation: The first step is to assess the situation at hand. If the situation appears to 4 Flight Zone be life threatening for you, other bystanders, or the livestock on your trailer, u The flight zone is the distance that the cattle can be from you and request emergency medical or law enforcement assistance immediately. still feel comfortable. u You can use the flight zone to quietly move cattle. Is it a disease or health concern of one or more animals on your load? Contact your dispatch office or local authorities and they will contact the 4 Point of Balance and Movement appropriate officials. Wait for their instructions to proceed. u There is a place on the shoulder of the animal called the point of balance. Is it a contaminant concern? If a contaminant is suspected, pinpoint u You can use this point to encourage the animal to go forward and the source and isolate it. Set up a safe perimeter around your load, taking backward. necessary precautions to protect the safety of yourself, bystanders, and the u You should move cattle calmly and slowly. livestock. Contact your dispatch office or local authorities and they will u Quick movements and loud noises will make moving cattle more contact the appropriate officials. Wait for their instructions to proceed. difficult. Is it an intruder concern? Be extremely cautious of strangers, even if they 4 Moving Aids appear friendly. Do not allow anyone access to your load. u “Persuaders” such as flags, plastic paddles, and a stick with plastic ribbons should replace electric prods as much as possible. Procedures For Responding To Emergencies: An electric prod should NOT be a person’s primary driving tool. It In the event of an emergency, contact the local law enforcement agency and should only be picked up and used when absolutely required to move describe your location, the nature of the emergency, and include the infor- a stubborn animal and then should be put back down. mation about your load.

u “Persuaders” are the best tools for moving cattle. These devices can The following is a list of contact people for each operation/location: be used to turn cattle by blocking their vision on one side of their ______, ______, ______head. ______, ______, ______

Alternate delivery location(s) if cattle are in transit to the operation and they need to be cancelled or rerouted: ______, ______, ______

______, ______, ______

2 15 Checklist for Unloading Cattle Cattle Handling Guidelines Diagrams

4 Determine if you are at the correct facility before unloading. Blind Spot 4 Weigh truck if cattle are to be Edge of weighed on the truck. Flight Zone Handler Position 4 Back the trailer up to unloading A to Start Movement 15º B chute squarely and evenly. A B to Stop Movement

4 Determine if unloading chute is 45º in good repair (if portable, it must be properly anchored to truck). 90º

4 Make sure the gates to the desti- Point of Balance nation pen are open and the path is clear, then unload cattle from the truck. Gate Direction of desired movement 4 Use good, low stress handling procedures.

4 Be sure the holding pen gate is shut for the cattle before pulling away from the chute.

4 Weigh truck empty, unless cattle are weighed on the ground. Do NOT chase lone animals! 4 Give all documents to the recipient of the cattle (health certificate, 90º inspection papers, brand papers, etc.). Handler Movement Pattern

Return path leaving flight zone Path to move animals forward

Point of Balance 14 3 Checklist Prior to Loading Checklist for Traveling

4 Check weather to determine if 4 Clean truck: the road is clear and/or passable. u Between species u Between changes from 4 Route has been determined, feeders to fat cattle taking into account weather and u Once a day road construction u Clean top to bottom, front to back, inside to outside 4 Paperwork needed for transit and unloading is in the driver’s possession.

4 Truck has been checked on all sides to make sure all cattle are standing and ready for travel. 4 Driver’s schedule for the day – needs to know: u Specific locations of load pickups and drop offs u Phone numbers of producers at pickup and drop off 4 Pull away from u Approximate loading time chute slowly u Other relevant information about the shipment and make gentle l Correct pen number turns. This is l Correct lot number especially impor- l Sale barn buyer number tant the first hour l Head count and loading instruction on the road while cattle are getting their balance.

4 Check cattle on a long haul after two hours on the road, and then every 4 hours after that. u Remember to keep stops as short as possible in extreme heat or cold condi- tions.

4 13 Checklist “Fit” vs. “Injured and Weak” Cattle Checklist Hot Weather Factors

4 Extreme heat conditions exist when temperature and humidity are at 4 All cattle appear healthy levels in which they create a heat index greater than or equal to 100ºF. ATTENTION and no foot injuries are u Heat index levels at 100ºF noted. or greater pose a significant USDA PROHIBITS risk to stressed cattle. am12 NON-AMBULATORY ANIMALS 11 1 4 Cattle being transported u Avoid transporting cattle FROM BEING MARKETED FOR SLAUGHTER. for slaughter meet the in extreme heat conditions 10 2 packing plants (when temperature and NON-AMBULATORY ANIMALS minimum weight humidity create heat CAN NOT BE OFFLOADED AT 9 3 requirements. indexes in gray zones (see THIS FACILITY. the heat index chart). 8 4pm 4 Avoid hauling and handling 7 5 cattle between 11:00am and 6 4 Cattle being transported for slaughter meet the USDA-FSIS 4:00pm, which is most often minimum health requirements. the hottest time of the day. u Do not accept: cancer eyes, debilitated thin animals, downers, or animals that appear sick. 4 If cattle must be hauled at times of high temperature and humidity, avoid stopping. 4 If an individual animal passes the above requirements, but is STILL questionable and it MUST be loaded, be sure to load it onto the back 4 If stopping along the way is absolutely necessary: end of the trailer (last on, first off ). u Make stop durations as short as possible. u Try stopping during cooler parts of the day if at all possible. u Pick shaded areas if you have to stop.

4 During hot weather consider placing fewer cattle on the trailer.

4 Handling cattle gently and patiently is especially critical in extreme heat conditions: u When cattle are stressed in extreme heat conditions, they are more likely to become non-ambulatory, sick and even die.

12 5 Checklist Cold Weather Factors Loading Worksheet

4 Extreme wind and cold condi- In to accurately load the correct number of cattle and pounds on the tions can have drastic adverse trailer, consider developing a worksheet for your particular trailer as in the effect on the health of cattle. example shown below. (courtesy of King Livestock Express) u Unprotected cattle hauled at highway speeds can be Blank subject to dangerous wind Loading Diagram chill. If cattle are wet, the danger is even greater. Head Ct. Head Ct. Head Ct. Head Ct. 4 Extreme cold and wind condi- Pen No. Pen No. Pen No. Pen No. tions exist when the wind chill Head Ct. Head Ct. is below 0ºF. Pen No. Pen No. u Extreme wind and cold conditions can be viewed in the gray area Head Ct. Head Ct. of the wind chill index chart. Pen No. Pen No.

4 Special Instructions Avoid transporting cattle in extreme wind and cold conditions. Date: Hubometer End: Driver: Hubometer Begin: 4 If cattle must be transported in cold and windy conditions, avoid Location: Total Miles: stopping if at all possible. u It is critical to deliver cattle to their destination as quickly as possible. Example Loading Diagram

48’L x 8.5’W 10’4” 13’8” 13’9” 9’7”

Head Ct. Head Ct. 4 Head Ct. 13 Head Ct. 13 2 4’2½” 4’2” Pen No. 5’9” Pen No. Pen No. Pen No. Head Ct. 5 Head Ct. 7 5’0” Pen No. 4’4½” Pen No. Head Ct. 13 Head Ct. 13 5’7” Pen No. Pen No.

Special Instructions Date: Hubometer End: Driver: Hubometer Begin: Location: Total Miles:

6 11 Loading Suggestions Heat and Wind Chill Indexes

The values presented in this document are recommendations only. It is the driver’s responsibility to know the dimensions of the trailer, to load only the size of cattle that will safely and humanely fit the trailer and to adhere

to the maximum legal load limit for the states in which they are operating. 0 9 1 4 6 -6 -4 -3 -1 30 26 17 23 13 15 129 176 167 158 136 124 114 109 106 143 118 102 100 100 1 4 7 -9 -7 -5 -4 -2 99 98 28 24 15 10 21 170 145 126 120 115 161 153 138 132 107 104 111 101 1 4 8 -8 -6 -4 -2 98 97 99 26 13 22 18 -12 -10 164 155 148 128 109 134 141 123 117 113 105 48 ft – 50,000 lb Gross – Fat Cattle 102 6 2 97 97 95 -9 -7 -5 -2 24 10 20 16 158 150 143 136 130 125 119 114 110 103 106 100 -14 -13 -11 Do Not Do Not Use 3 8 96 98 96 94 -7 -4 -1 22 18 14 152 145 138 132 126 121 116 112 108 104 20,000 lbs – DO Not Close Gate 101 Use -17 -16 -14 -12 -10 6 1 94 95 99 96 93 -7 -3 16 12 21 147 140 134 128 123 118 113 105 109 102 6,000 lbs 4,000 lbs -20 -19 -17 -15 -13 -10 20,000 lbs – DO Not Close Gate 93 97 95 91 94 4 -9 -6 -2 141 135 129 124 119 114 110 106 100 103 19 14 10 -23 -22 -20 -18 -15 -13 93 98 95 93 90 92 8 1 -8 -4 136 104 130 125 120 116 111 107 101 17 12 -26 -25 -23 -21 -18 -15 -12 92 99 96 94 92 90 89 6 131 126 121 116 112 108 105 101 -6 -1 10 15 -29 -28 -26 -23 -21 -18 -15 -11 91 97 94 92 90 99 89 88 8 4 126 122 117 102 105 113 109 -9 -3 13 53 ft – 55,000 lb Gross – Feeder Cattle Lighter Than 700 lbs -32 -30 -28 -26 -24 -21 -17 -13 Area) is the Emergency Zone 90 95 92 91 89 97 88 87 117 113 103 122 109 106 100 6 2 -5 11 3,800 lbs -35 -33 -31 -29 -26 -23 -20 -16 -11 1,400 lbs Heat Index 9,500 lbs 9,500 lbs , Red # 95 88 87 86 89 97 93 91 89 117 106 103 100 113 110 0 9 4 -8 -38 -36 -34 -32 -29 -26 -23 -18 -14 95 91 89 88 98 93 88 87 86 85 113 106 110 103 100 7 8,000 lbs 2 3,800 lbs -3 Wind Chill Index (WCI) 9,500 lbs 9,500 lbs -41 -39 -37 -35 -32 -29 -25 -21 -16 -10 87 95 91 88 87 86 85 84 98 93 89 106 100 109 103 6 0 -5 HI > 100 (Gray -44 -42 -40 -37 -35 -31 -28 -23 -18 -12 93 89 88 87 85 85 84 83 97 95 91 86 100 105 102 4 -7 -2 -47 -45 -43 -40 -37 -34 -30 -26 -21 -15 99 97 95 93 91 89 88 86 85 84 84 83 82 85 102 2 -4 -9 -50 -48 -46 -43 -40 -37 -33 -28 -23 -17 92 90 86 98 96 94 89 88 85 84 83 83 82 82 84 0 -6 -53 -51 -49 -46 -43 -39 -36 -31 -26 -19 -11 53 ft – 55,000 lb Gross – Fat Cattle y 83 95 93 91 90 88 87 86 85 84 83 82 82 81 81 -8 -2 -56 -54 -51 -49 -46 -42 -38 -33 -28 -21 -13 Humidit

Do Not emperature ºF ve 84 91 90 89 88 86 85 84 83 82 81 81 80 80 Do Not Use 82 21,000 lbs – DO Not Close Gate Use -4 -59 -57 -54 -52 -48 -45 -41 -36 -10 -30 -24 -15 emperature ºF LowT

90 85 80 75 70 65 60 55 50 45 40 35 30 25 RH

9 7 5 3 High T RH = Relati 4,000 lbs 9,000 lbs 25 23 21 19 17 15 13 11 Wind

21,000 lbs DO – Not Close Gate Speed

10 7 Checklist For Loading Loading Suggestions

4 Truck has been weighed empty The values presented in this document are recommendations only. It is (unless cattle were weighted on the the driver’s responsibility to know the dimensions of the trailer, to load ground). only the size of cattle that will safely and humanely fit the trailer and to adhere to the maximum legal load limit for the states in which they are 4 Truck is ready to load, verify: operating. u Clean-out traps are shut. u All gates and ramps are set before backing up to the chute. Compartment Average Weight of Cattle u Gates are open and in good repair. Weight 400 500 600 700 800 900 1000 1100 1200 1300 1400 1500 1,500 3 3 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 4 4,000 10 8 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 3 2 2 Truck is backed up to load-out chute 4,500 11 9 7 6 5 4 4 3 3 3 2 2 squarely and evenly. 6,000 15 12 10 8 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 4 u Avoid excess noise when backing 8,000 20 16 13 11 10 8 8 7 6 6 5 5 9,000 22 18 15 12 11 10 9 8 7 6 6 6 up to the chute. 20,000 50 40 33 28 25 22 20 18 16 15 14 13 u Shut off engine before loading 21,000 52 42 35 30 26 23 21 19 17 16 15 14 (to avoid noise from rattling bullrack).

4 Chute is in good repair (if portable it 48 ft – 50,000 lb Gross – Feeder Cattle Lighter Than 700 lbs must be properly anchored to truck). Crank Up Use Dog House Jail Top Nose Center Gate ONLY if lighter than 700 lbs. 4 If Over 700 lbs. Approximate weight and size of Bullboard Swing Out cattle and head count are needed Bottom Nose Pull Nose Center Gate Out Ramp to estimate the number of cattle Gate per compartment to load the trailer properly.

4 Weigh truck full before leaving the facility (unless cattle were weighed on the ground).

48 ft – 50,000 lb Gross – Feeder Cattle Lighter Than 700 lbs

4,000 lbs 9,000 lbs 9,000 lbs 1,400 lbs

4,000 lbs 4,600 lbs 9,000 lbs 9,000 lbs

8 9