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May 20, 2014 · Where possible, cows that are calving or which have calves at foot should be kept away from fields crossed by the public; again temporary fencing can be considered where this is not feasible.
- Andrew Gillett
Nov 6, 2016 · #1. i have a footpath which runs down the side of a building and continues straight down the middle of a 16 acre field which is currently in grass. The field in question has direct access to our main cattle shed and is currently stocked with 30 home bred lim X cows and their heifer calves.
Mar 5, 2021 · Where possible, cows that are calving or which have calves at foot should be kept away from fields crossed by the public; again temporary fencing can be considered where this is not feasible. It can be helpful to make sure the public rights of way are well waymarked and unobstructed to avoid people wandering off the correct route and into areas ...
- Preface
- Introduction
- Section 1 – Recommendations for all cattle
- Section 2 – Specific recommendations
- Appendix
This preface is not part of the code; instead, it explains the code’s role and the broad considerations on which it is based. The legal text in shaded boxes throughout this document is not part of the code either but highlights the legal position. The text in these boxes is the law as it stands on the date that this code is published or reprinted (please turn to the back cover for this information ). You should be aware that any of the legal requirements quoted here could change – you should check that these are an accurate statement of the law as it currently stands. (See the Appendix for a list of relevant legislation).
The Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2000 (S.I. 2000 No. 1870) Regulation 10, provides that:
Any person who employs or engages a person to attend to animals shall ensure that the person attending to the animals:
•is acquainted with the provisions of all relevant statutory welfare codes relating to the animals being attended to;
•has access to a copy of those codes while he is attending to the animals; and
•has received instruction and guidance on those codes.
1. This code (which only applies in England) covers all cattle. ‘Cattle’ refers to all bovine stock (such as cows and oxen), and includes buffalo and bison. A calf refers to any animal under six months old.
2. The code’s recommendations apply to cattle under all husbandry systems. Section 1 of the code gives the recommendations that apply to all ages and types of cattle. Section 2 covers those recommendations that apply to specific categories of cattle (such as calves, breeding cattle and dairy). If these recommendations are followed, they will help to protect the stock’s welfare. The code’s recommendations are not a complete list and they are not meant to replace expert advice, such as from a veterinary surgeon.
3. The husbandry system that is used, and the number and stocking rate of cattle kept at any one time, should depend on:
•the suitability of the farm environment
•how many animals the farm can accommodate at one time
•the competence of the stock-keeper
Stockmanship
The Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2000 (S.I. 2000 No. 1870) define a “keeper” as ‘any person responsible for or in charge of animals whether on a permanent or temporary basis.’ The Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2000 (S.I. 2000 No. 1870) Schedule 1, paragraph 1, states that: Animals shall be cared for by a sufficient number of staff who possess the appropriate ability, knowledge and professional competence. General 7. The stock-keeper has the most significant influence on the welfare of cattle. The stock-keeper should draw up a written health and welfare plan with the herd’s veterinary surgeon and, where necessary, other technical advisors, which should be reviewed and updated each year. This plan should set out health and husbandry activities that cover the whole year’s cycle of production, and include strategies to prevent, treat or limit existing disease problems. The plan should include records to enable you to monitor and assess the health and welfare of the herd. 8. Those responsible for farm management should make sure that the cattle are cared for by enough well-motivated and competent staff. These staff need to be aware of the welfare needs of cattle and be capable of protecting them from all expected problems before they are given any responsibility. This means that the staff need specific knowledge and skills, which they should develop on-farm by working with a skilled stock-keeper who is experienced in the relevant system. Wherever possible, staff should also go on a course run by a suitable training organisation. Ideally, the training should lead to formal recognition of competence. Any contract or casual labour used on the farm in busy periods should be trained and competent in the relevant activity. 9. Stock-keepers should be knowledgeable and competent in a wide range of animal health and welfare skills, which should include: handling skills (see paragraphs 14 to 17) ear tagging (see paragraphs 18 to 21) preventing and treating certain basic or common cases of lameness (see paragraphs 31 to 33) preventing and treating internal and external parasites (see paragraphs 34 to 35); administrating medicines (see paragraph 36) providing appropriate care to sick and injured cattle (see paragraphs 39 to 48); castration (see paragraph 116) disbudding (see paragraphs 117 to 119) removing supernumerary (extra) teats (see paragraph 120) milking (see paragraph 143 to 149) It is particularly important that stock-keepers are competent in calving assessments and simple deliveries, if this is part of their role. If they are expected to perform specific tasks on-farm, such as foot trimming, then appropriate training should be given. Otherwise, a veterinary surgeon or, for certain tasks, a competent and trained contractor will be required. 10. It is important that grazing cattle, especially young stock come into regular contact with a stockkeeper so that they will not be too frightened if they need to be gathered or treated. Careful supervision and handling of the animals will reduce their fear. The stock-keeper needs a back-up plan and equipment available if he needs to catch and restrain an extensively grazed animal that is not so used to human contact (for example, if it needs to see a veterinary surgeon). You should avoid mixing groups of animals, especially where the animals are horned. Inspection The Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2000 (S.I. 2000 No. 1870) Schedule 1, paragraph 2, requires that: All animals kept in husbandry systems in which their welfare depends on frequent human attention shall be thoroughly inspected at least once a day to check that they are in a state of well-being; and Animals kept in systems other than husbandry systems in which their welfare depends on frequent human attention shall be inspected at intervals sufficient to avoid any suffering. 11. The health and welfare of animals depends on them being regularly inspected. All stock-keepers should be familiar with the normal behaviour of cattle and should watch for any signs of distress or disease. To do this, it is important that stock-keepers have enough time to: inspect the stock check equipment take action to deal with any problem There are more detailed inspection rules for calves (see box before paragraph 99 and paragraphs 99 to 101). 12. The stock-keeper should be aware of the signs of ill-health in cattle, which include: listlessness separation from the group unusual behaviour loss of body condition loss of appetite a sudden fall in milk yield constipation scouring (diarrhoea) not cudding any discharge from the nostrils or eyes producing more saliva than usual persistent coughing rapid or irregular breathing abnormal resting behaviour swollen joints lameness mastitis 13. You should be able to anticipate problems or recognise them in their earliest stages. In many cases, you should be able to identify the cause and put matters right immediately. You should always consider the possibility that cattle may be affected by a notifiable disease (see paragraphs 37 to 38). If the cause is not obvious, or if your immediate action is not effective, a veterinary surgeon or other expert should be called in immediately – failure to do so may cause unnecessary suffering. Handling The Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations (S.I. 2000 No. 1870), Schedule 1, Paragraph 30, states that: No person shall apply an electric current to any animals for the purposes of immobilisation. 14. Cattle should be moved at their own pace, without being hurried by stock-keepers, vehicles or dogs. You should encourage them gently – especially around corners and where it is slippery underfoot. You should avoid using too much noise, excitement or force. You must not put pressure or strike at any particularly sensitive part of the body (such as the head or udder). Anything that you use to guide the animals (such as a stick) should only be used for that purpose and must not have a sharp or pointed end. The use of electric goads on adult cattle should be avoided as far as possible. If goads are used, you should always ensure that there is sufficient space for them to move forward. 15. You should regularly assess the type and condition of any track on which cattle are moved and the distance from housing or milking facilities to pasture. Your assessment should include: gateways tracks the areas surrounding water troughs so that you can take appropriate action to avoid possible injury or lameness. You should make sure that any concrete floors and walkways have a non-slip surface, which does not cause too much pressure or excessive abrasion on the animals’ feet. 16. All stock-keepers should have access to easy-to-use and efficient handling pens (the right size and scale for the type and number of animals in the herd). This is so that you can routinely manage and treat the animals, and make sure that they are quietly and firmly handled. Ideally, these handling pens should protect the animals from extreme weather. You should keep all pens, races (narrow passageways), crushes (restraining gates to assist handling) and floors in good condition and make sure that they are free from any sharp edges or projections which might injure cattle. Where possible races should be gently curved rather than have right-angled bends. Transport off-farm The Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997 (S.I. 1997 No. 1480) Schedule 2, Part II, Paragraph 15, states that: (1) Animals shall not be suspended by mechanical means, nor lifted or dragged by the head, horns, legs or tail. (2) No person shall use excessive force to control animals. (3) Subject to sub-paragraph (4) below, no person shall use: (a) any instrument which is capable of inflicting an electric shock to control any animal; (b) any stick, goad or other instrument or thing to hit or prod any cattle of six months or under. (4) The prohibition in sub-paragraph (3)(a) above shall not apply to the use of any instrument of a kind mentioned in the sub-paragraph, on the hindquarters of any cattle over the age of six months which are refusing to move forward when there is space for them to do so, but the use of any such instrument shall be avoided as far as possible. (5) Nothing in this provision shall prevent the suspension by mechanical means of a receptacle in which an animal is being carried. The Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997 (S.I. 1997 No. 1480), Schedule 2, Part II, paragraph 10 states that: (1) Animals shall be loaded and unloaded in accordance with this paragraph. (2) Save as provided in sub-paragraphs (6) and (7) below they shall be loaded and unloaded using suitable ramps, bridges, gangways or mechanical lifting gear, operated so as to prevent injury or unnecessary suffering to any animal. (3) The flooring of any loading equipment shall be constructed so as to prevent slipping. (4) Subject to sub-paragraph (6) below, ramps, bridges, gangways and loading platforms shall be provided on each side with protection which is: (a) of sufficient strength, length and height to prevent any animal using the loading equipment from falling or escaping; and (b) positioned so that it will not result in injury or unnecessary suffering to any animal. [(5) not relevant.] (6) An animal may be loaded or unloaded by means of manual lifting or carrying if the animal is of a size that it can easily be lifted by not more than two persons and the operation is carried out without causing injury or unnecessary suffering to the animal. (7) An animal may be loaded or unloaded without equipment or by manual lifting or carrying provided that, having regard to the age, height and species of the animal, it is unlikely to be caused injury or unnecessary suffering by being loaded or unloaded in this manner. 17. You should have the facilities on-farm to load and unload cattle onto and from a vehicle, with as little stress as possible. Stock-keepers should know how to handle animals during loading and unloading, including: using visual fields (i.e. cattle have a wide field of vision but have a blind spot behind them, which you should avoid entering) and flight zones (an imaginary area which if you enter will make the animal want to move away. You can control an animal’s movement by understanding the flight zone) lighting (as cattle prefer to move from the dark into the light) when and how to use such things as sticks and other implements Marking 18. The law states that all cattle must be permanently identified by an official ear tag in each ear. These ear tags should be fitted by a properly trained and competent operator, so that the animal does not suffer any unnecessary pain or distress – either when the tags are fitted or later. Think carefully about the best type of tags for your animals. A suitable style and size of tag should be used for the breed of animal. Make sure that you fit the tag correctly by following the manufacturers’ instructions and using the correct applicator for the model of tag you are fitting. Always fit the tags under hygienic conditions. 19. When fitting ear tags, you must properly restrain the animals. You should take care to position and insert tags correctly, avoiding main blood vessels and ridges of cartilage. When inserted, the tag should be properly closed to minimise snagging. Remember to leave a suitable gap under the tag and at the edge of the ear to allow for growth. If you are tagging cattle during the fly season (i.e. summer) you should take precautions to prevent the animals being irritated by flies. 20. If you are marking the cattle with neck bands or chains, and tail bands or leg bands (which you use for herd management identification purposes) you should fit them carefully and adjust them as necessary to avoid causing the animals any unnecessary pain, suffering or injury. If you are using aerosols or paints for temporary marking, make sure you only use nontoxic (safe) substances. 21. You can find out more information on cattle identification and cattle movements from the British Cattle Movement Service (see the Appendix for contact details). Clipping 22. Anyone who clips cattle should be experienced, competent and trained in clipping techniques. Clipping operators should clean and disinfect their equipment between cattle to reduce the risk of spreading disease. The clippers they use should always be appropriate for the purpose and well maintained.
Health
General 23. Maintenance of good health is the most basic requirement affecting the welfare of cattle. Measures to protect health include good hygiene, good husbandry and effective ventilation. Vaccinations may be appropriate against certain diseases. You should ensure that only authorised veterinary medicinal products, including vaccines, are used. 24. The written health and welfare plan (see paragraph 7) should also, as a minimum, look at: biosecurity arrangements on-farm and in transport purchased stock procedures any specific disease programmes, such as leptospirosis, Johne’s disease, salmonella, Bovine Viral Diarrhoea (BVD) and tuberculosis vaccination policy and timing isolation procedures external and internal parasite control lungworm control lameness monitoring and foot care routine procedures, such as ear tagging mastitis control The health and welfare plan should make sure that animals get any necessary medical treatment at the correct time and in the correct dose. 25. In geographical areas with known mineral deficiencies and imbalances – and where vitamin or mineral deficiencies are likely – you may need to supplement the animals’ diet. Supplementary magnesium should be provided during periods when there is a recognised risk of deficiency, for example, in early spring or at weaning in suckler herds. This aspect should be covered in your health and welfare plan. Equally, too much of a particular vitamin or mineral may cause problems. For example, too much copper can lead to copper poisoning. You need to look carefully at the amount of copper in the existing diet, prior to the administration of copper orally or by injection. 26. If your herd has a serious problem with summer mastitis, you need advice from a veterinary surgeon about introducing a suitable control programme. Controls for summer mastitis may include: dry cow therapy teat sealants controlling flies (particularly from July to September) by using ear tags impregnated with insecticide or pour-on/spray insecticides where possible, avoiding high-risk pastures (such as areas close to hedges and slow moving water which attract flies) (see paragraph 142) Condition scoring 27. Body-condition scoring can contribute greatly to good husbandry and help to avoid costly welfare problems. Condition scoring is an easy technique to learn. Basically, it means that you can quickly assess the body reserves (i.e. fat) of individual animals. The technique will be of benefit if you use it as a routine management tool to check that cattle are in the target condition for each stage of the production cycle. This will be particularly useful at: drying off or weaning calving peak yield early lactation You should adjust feeding as necessary for animals that are too fat or too thin. You will find more information in the Defra booklets, ‘Condition scoring of dairy cows’ and ‘Condition scoring of beef suckler cows and heifers’ (see the Appendix). Biosecurity 28. Biosecurity means reducing the risk of disease occurring or spreading to other animals. Good biosecurity can be obtained through: good management/husbandry good hygiene reducing stress on the herd effective disease control systems such as vaccination and worming programmes Biosecurity results in: farm units being more secure from the introduction of new infectious diseases the spread of any diseases on the unit itself being kept to a minimum 29. If you are careful when you move livestock onto a farm, and within the farm (particularly if the farm is on more than one site), this can greatly reduce the chance of a major outbreak of disease. For example, any cattle must only be transported in vehicles that have been properly cleansed and disinfected. You should ask the vendor to provide you with information on the health of the herd, such as routine vaccination and worming procedures, so that their suitability for your herd can be assessed and, where necessary, appropriate treatments and vaccinations administered. 30. You should have isolation facilities so that you can isolate and observe/test new animals for a suitable period when they arrive, before they join the rest of the herd. Hired bulls should only be used when no alternative is available. The potential disease status of the hired bull should be carefully considered prior to its introduction. Get advice from your veterinary surgeon. You can find more information in the Defra publication ‘Better biosecurity provides peace of mind, healthy stock and a more viable business’ (see the Appendix). Lameness 31. Lameness in any animal is usually a sign that they are in pain. Lameness in cattle is a sign of ill-health and discomfort. It clearly affects animals’ welfare, as well as their performance and production. For this reason, very lame cows should be taken off concrete and housed in a suitably bedded pen. If a significant percentage of your cattle has severe lameness, this can be a sign of poor overall welfare standards within the herd. You can find more information in Defra’s booklets, ‘Lameness in dairy cattle’ and ‘Lameness in beef cattle and dairy followers’ (see the Appendix). 32. If lame cows do not respond to treatment, you need to call a veterinary surgeon immediately. Lameness can have a number of causes. This is why you need the veterinary surgeon’s early and accurate diagnosis of the specific type of lameness affecting the herd before you can identify the likely causes and take the appropriate action. 33. If a lame animal does not respond to the veterinary surgeon’s treatment, you should have it culled rather than leave it to suffer. If you cannot transport lame animals without causing them more pain, you should slaughter them on the farm (see paragraph 47). Also, you must not transport any cattle off-farm that cannot stand up unaided or cannot bear their weight on all four legs when standing or walking. You should not take any cattle that can bear weight on all four feet but are slightly lame to market or anywhere else if it is likely to aggravate the injury, however slightly. External parasites 34. You should control diseases caused by external parasites – especially where the animal’s skin is irritated and it is rubbing the area – with the appropriate parasiticides. You should treat your animals for parasites with your veterinary surgeon’s advice and ensure that control and treatment regimes form part of your herd health and welfare plan. Internal parasites 35. You should control internal parasites by planning the grazing rotation and by using effective medicinal products (to control roundworm and fluke) or vaccines (to prevent lungworms). As part of the herd health and welfare plan you should ensure that treatment is based on the life cycle of the particular parasites you are tackling. You should treat your animals for parasites with your veterinary surgeon’s advice. Organic producers, in particular, should seek veterinary advice on this aspect of their health and welfare plan. Dosing and vaccination equipment 36. You must make sure that all the equipment you use for dosing, vaccinating and treating the animals is in good working order. Ideally, use equipment from your own farm. If you must borrow it, make sure it is cleaned and disinfected before use on your farm. You should regularly clean and sterilise any equipment you use for injections, to avoid infections and abscesses. Ideally, you should use disposable needles. The size of a dosing-gun nozzle should be suitable for the animal’s age. You should dispose of any dangerous objects (such as needles) safely. Products should be administered according to manufacturer’s instructions and you should be trained to give treatments – such as injections or boluses by mouth – as the animals could be injured by poor administration of treatments. Notifiable diseases 37. If you suspect that any animal is suffering from a notifiable disease, you have a legal duty to notify a Divisional Veterinary Manager (DVM) of Defra as soon as possible. 38. The following are the main notifiable diseases which affect cattle: Anthrax Aujesky’s disease Bluetongue Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) Brucella abortus (Brucellosis) Enzootic bovine leukosis Foot-and-mouth disease Lumpy-skin disease Pleuropneumonia Rabies Rift-valley fever Rinderpest Tuberculosis Vesicular stomatitis Warble fly For more information on these diseases contact your veterinary surgeon or local Animal Health Divisional Office. Sick and injured animals The Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2000 (S.I. 2000 No. 1870) Schedule 1, paragraph 5, states that: any animals which appear to be ill or injured: shall be cared for appropriately without delay; and where they do not respond to care, veterinary advice shall be obtained as soon as possible. The Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2000 (S.I. 2000 No. 1870) Schedule 1, paragraph 6, states that: where necessary, sick or injured animals shall be isolated in suitable accommodation with, where appropriate, dry comfortable bedding. 39. You should take action immediately if any cattle are injured or appear ill or distressed. It is important to exclude the possibility of notifiable diseases. If you are in any doubt about the ill-health or the most effective treatment, consult your veterinary surgeon without delay. Likewise, if an animal you have treated does not respond to treatment, seek your veterinary surgeon’s advice. 40. When necessary, you should have a procedure for isolating and caring for sick or injured animals. Hospital pens should be an essential component of any cattle unit and they should have an entrance that is wide enough for an animal to be easily herded into the pen. When moving sick or injured cattle to the hospital pens, you should ensure that unnecessary suffering does not occur. These pens should be easily reached so that you can regularly check on the animal. You should make sure that drinking water is freely available in the pens, and that there are feeding facilities. The possibility of spillage should be minimised by using an appropriate receptacle and positioning it carefully, so as not to wet the lying area and deprive the animal of feed or water. Ideally, you should also be able to milk any cows in them, if you need to. 41. If an unfit animal does not respond to treatment, it should be humanely killed on-farm (culled). You should cull any animals suffering from an incurable condition (such as mucosal disease or Johne’s disease), poisoning or untreatable painful conditions, as soon as possible after diagnosis. Downer animals 42. When an animal is unable to rise – a ‘downer animal’ – the prospect for recovery of the animal can be greatly increased by providing quality care in the initial period of recumbency. The animal should be provided with a comfortable dry lying area and given food and water. Treatment should include frequent turning to ensure that the animal is not continuously resting on one side or leg, which could lead to irreversible muscle damage. 43. When an animal becomes recumbent, it is important to identify the likely cause. Where there is a history of trauma, for example, falling or slipping, a veterinary surgeon should assess the extent of any injury. Where the prognosis for recovery is poor, early intervention, by humanely destroying the animal on-farm, should not be delayed. 44. Where the history indicates a medical origin for the recumbency, such as milk fever or toxic mastitis, appropriate treatment should be given in accordance with veterinary advice. Where a ‘downer animal’ has not responded to treatment, it should be assessed by a veterinary surgeon. Attempts to lift ‘downer animals’ must not be made prior to an assessment by a veterinary surgeon, to ensure that the procedure will not result in additional suffering for the animal. The Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997 (S.I. 1997 No. 1480) Articles 4 (1) and 6 respectively provide that: No person shall transport any animal in a way which causes or is likely to cause injury or unnecessary suffering to that animal. No person shall transport any animal unless: it is fit for the intended journey; and suitable provision has been made for its care during the journey and on arrival at the place of destination. For these purposes an animal shall not be considered fit for its intended journey if it is ill, injured, infirm or fatigued, unless it is only slightly ill, injured, infirm or fatigued and the intended journey is not likely to cause it unnecessary suffering, likely to give birth during transport, has given birth during the previous 48 hours or is a new born animal in which the navel has not completely healed. 45. You can only transport an unfit animal if you are taking it to a veterinary surgeon for treatment or diagnosis, or to the nearest available place of slaughter and even then, only if you do so in a way that does not cause the animal any more suffering. You will find more information in Defra’s booklet, ‘Guidance on the transport of casualty farm animals’ (see the Appendix). 46. In an emergency, you may have to slaughter an animal immediately to prevent its suffering. In such cases, you should destroy the animal humanely and, where possible, it should be done by someone who is suitably trained and competent both in slaughter methods and use of the equipment. Under these emergency circumstances a slaughter licence is not required. It is a general offence under the Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995 (S.I. 1995 No. 731) as amended by the Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I. 1999 No. 400), to cause or permit any avoidable excitement, pain or suffering to any animal during slaughter or killing (regulation 4(1)). The general offence applies in all cases, but the detailed provisions in respect of the method of slaughter or killing do not apply when an animal has to be killed immediately for emergency reasons (regulation 13(2)). 47. If you have to slaughter the animals on-farm in a non-emergency situation, you must do so using a permitted method which is in line with current welfare at slaughter legislation (see box below). The Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) Regulations 1995 (S.I. 1995 No. 731) as amended by the Welfare of Animals (Slaughter or Killing) (Amendment) Regulations 1999 (S.I. 1999 No. 400) state that when an animal is slaughtered or killed onfarm, this must be done using a permitted method. The animal could be: stunned using a captive bolt pistol, concussion stunner or electrical stunner after which it must be followed by bleeding – or pithed – without delay (regulation 14 and Schedules 5 (Part II) and 6). If the animal is stunned and bled, the operation must be carried out by a slaughterman licensed for these operations (Schedule 1), unless the owner is slaughtering an animal for his own consumption; or killed by a free bullet (regulation 15 and Schedule 5 Part III); the animal should be killed with a single shot to the head. 48. After slaughter, you must dispose of the carcass by a suitable method (see the box below): Article 5 of the Animal By-Products Order 1999 (S.I. 1999 No.646) requires that fallen stock are disposed of by: despatch to a knackers yard, hunt kennel or similar premises; incineration; rendering; in certain circumstances, burial in such a way that carnivorous animals cannot gain access to the carcass, or burning. This provision applies to the disposal of still-born or unborn calves, as well as to older cattle. The Dogs Acts 1906–28 include provisions making it an offence for a person knowingly to permit a carcass to remain unburied in a place to which dogs could gain access. At present, burial or burning is only permitted in very limited circumstances. If you plan to bury the carcass on-farm, you should first check that the local authority allows this under the Animal By-Products Order 1999. However, from 30 April 2003, new EU legislation, the Animal By-Products Regulation, will ban the routine burial or burning of animal carcases. Record Keeping The Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2000 (S.I. 2000 No. 1870) Schedule 1, paragraph 7, states that: A record shall be maintained of: (a) any medicinal treatment given to animals; and (b) the number of mortalities found on each inspection of animals carried out in accordance with any of the following provisions. Schedule 1, paragraph 8 states that: The record referred to in paragraph 7 shall be retained for a period of at least three years from the date on which the medicinal treatment was given, or the date of the inspection, as the case may be, and shall be made available to an authorised person when carrying out an inspection or when otherwise requested by such person. It is a requirement under the Animals and Animal Products (Examination for Residues and Maximum Residue Limits) Regulations 1997 (S.I. 1997 No.1729), Part V, paragraph 32, that you keep a record of: ‘The name and address of the supplier of the veterinary medicinal product’. 49. You should only buy and use authorised animal medicines. You must keep full records of all the medicine you buy, including where you bought it. Also, you must keep records for at least three years of: the date you treated the animals how much medicine you used which animal or group of animals you treated You will find more information in the Code of Practice on responsible use of animal medicines on the farm (see the Appendix). 50. In terms of individual animal management, you may find it useful, as part of the health and welfare plan, to note specific cases of mastitis, lameness and disorders, such as milk fever, and where appropriate, the relevant treatment given.
Feed, water and other substances
The Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2000 (S.I. 2000 No. 1870) Schedule 1, paragraphs 22–27, states that: Animals shall be fed a wholesome diet which is appropriate to their age and species and which is fed to them in sufficient quantity to maintain them in good health and to satisfy their nutritional needs and to promote a positive state of well-being. No animals shall be provided with food or liquid in a manner, nor shall such food or liquid contain any substance, which may cause them unnecessary suffering or injury. All animals shall have access to feed at intervals appropriate to their physiological needs (and, in any case, at least once a day), except where a veterinary surgeon acting in the exercise of his profession otherwise directs. All animals shall either have access to a suitable water supply and be provided with an adequate supply of fresh drinking water each day or be able to satisfy their fluid intake needs by other means. Feeding and watering equipment shall be designed, constructed, placed and maintained so that contamination of food and water and the harmful effects of competition between animals are minimised. No other substance, with the exception of those given for therapeutic or prophylactic purposes or for the purpose of zootechnical treatment shall be administered to animals unless it has been demonstrated by scientific studies of animal welfare or established experience that the effect of that substance is not detrimental to the health or welfare of the animals. 51. All cattle need a balanced daily diet to maintain full health and energy. You should monitor how much forage is available and when there is no longer enough for the animals’ needs, you should supplement it with other suitable feeds. You should regularly check the weight and type of supplementary feeds offered, to make sure they are well balanced. You should plan any changes in the diet and introduce them gradually. 52. Sufficient roughage must be available in all diets to reduce the risk of inducing bloat or laminitis. In intensive barley beef systems, long roughage, such as straw, should be made available ad lib. Where total mixed rations are used, you should seek specialist advice. 53. Animals that have been isolated for treatment must have plenty of water available. Unless a veterinary surgeon tells you otherwise, you must give the animal its normal feed. 54. There should be enough water available for at least 10% of housed cattle to drink at any one time. Water troughs – especially those in loose housing or cubicle units – should be designed and placed where: they are protected from fouling there is a low risk of the water freezing in cold weather there is sufficient space and easy access for all stock and dead-ends are avoided You should keep water troughs or bowls thoroughly clean and check them at least once a day to make sure they are not blocked or damaged, and the water is flowing freely. Checking for blockages is equally important where drinking nipples are used. Provision must be made for providing emergency supplies of water. 55. For grazing cattle, you need the appropriate number of water troughs (large enough and of the right design) or some other source of drinkable water (such as a bowser, or water tanker) that the animals can readily use wherever they are grazing. These areas should allow easy access, be smooth underfoot and not prone to waterlogging.
Pregnancy and calving
The Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2000 (S.I. 2000 No. 1870), Schedule 5, paragraphs 1 and 2 state that: Where any lactating dairy cows or any cows which are calving are kept in any roofed accommodation they shall have access at all times to a well-drained and bedded lying area. Where any cows which are calving are kept in a building, they shall be kept: (a) in a pen or yard which is of such size as to permit a person to attend the cows; and (b) separate from other livestock other than calving cows. 90. A large proportion of calving difficulties and losses can be prevented by making sure that cows are at the correct condition at calving. Stockkeepers in charge of calving should be: familiar with all the signs that a cow is about to calve well trained in caring for calving cows and their calves, including the use of mechanical calving aids 91. You should always provide adequate supervision at calving, whilst ensuring that calving cows should not be disturbed, unless there are indications that the birth process is not proceeding normally. Enough space should be available to allow cows to exhibit their normal behaviour at calving. If space is limited, you should not house heifers with older cows, as the cows may dominate their feeding and lying areas. 92. Before you use any type of recognised calving aid, you should examine the cow to make sure that the calf is properly presented (i.e. in the correct position – head first, the right way up and with the head between the two front feet). You also need to check that the calf is not too large for a natural delivery, so that it will not cause any unnecessary pain or distress to either mother or offspring. 93. If you have any concerns about the presentation or the ability to calve naturally, you should get advice from a veterinary surgeon immediately. 94. If you help in the delivery, good hygiene of both yourself and the equipment, is essential. You should clean and disinfect calving aids and ropes after each time you use them. You should only use calving aids to help with a delivery, not to extract the calf as quickly as possible. Calving ropes need to be flexible and thick enough not to damage the calf. After the birth, you should treat the calf’s navel with a suitable antiseptic to prevent infection, particularly when calves are born inside. 95. Where calving pens are used, you should do everything possible to prevent the build-up and spread of infection by making sure that they have enough clean bedding and that they are regularly cleaned and disinfected. 96. Where cows and their calves are group housed, calves should have a separate solid floor and bedded area which the cows are unable to access. 97. Calving should not be induced routinely. Induction does have a role to play in preventing oversized calves, but you should seek advice from your veterinary surgeon.
Calf rearing
General The Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2000 (S.I. 2000 No. 1870) Regulation 6, states that owners and keepers of calves confined for the rearing and fattening shall ensure that, in addition to the requirements set out in Schedule 1, the conditions under which the animals are kept comply with the requirements set out in Schedule 4. 98. Caring for calves, particularly when you buy calves from a number of sources, should be part of your written health and welfare plan. As calves are more susceptible to a number of diseases, good hygiene is essential, particularly with the equipment used artificially to rear calves. You will find more information in Defra’s booklet, ‘Improving calf survival’ (see the Appendix). Inspection The Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2000 (S.I. 2000 No. 1870) Schedule 4, paragraphs 3 and 4, state that: All housed calves shall be inspected by the owner or keeper of the calves at least twice a day to check that they are in a state of well-being. Calves which are kept outside shall be inspected by the owner or keeper of the calves at least once a day to check that they are in a state of well-being. 99. It is particularly important that you watch calves carefully for signs of diarrhoea or respiratory disease, such as coughing or rapid or laboured breathing, both of which could spread rapidly. When you buy in calves, you should inspect them as soon as they arrive, before they come into contact with other calves on the farm. You need to assess their general health, paying particular attention to their posture, breathing and the condition of their nose, eyes, navel, anus, feet and legs. 100. After carefully inspecting any calves you have bought, you should rest them in comfortable conditions for a few hours and then give them a first feed of milk or other suitable liquid, such as electrolyte solution. Where practicable, you should keep them apart from other calves for long enough to prevent any possible cross-infection. 101. If you rear calves in a system where milk is provided by artificial means, you should closely monitor their feed intake. If calves have a reduced or slower feed intake, this is often an early sign of disease. Sick and injured calves In addition to the provisions laid down in Schedule 1, paragraph 5 of the Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2000 (S.I. 2000 No. 1870), Schedule 4 paragraph 5 states that: where necessary sick or injured calves shall be isolated in suitable accommodation with dry comfortable bedding. 102. You should isolate and treat calves if, for example, they have diarrhoea or pneumonia. Monitoring their temperature is a useful means of assessing their response to treatment. If the calves do not respond to treatment promptly or properly or these illnesses return, you need to get advice from a veterinary surgeon.
Feed, water and other substances
The Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2000 (S.I. 2000 No. 1870) Schedule 4, paragraph 11, states that: each calf shall receive bovine colostrum as soon as possible after it is born and in any case within the first six hours of life. Schedule 4, paragraph 12 states that: (1) All calves shall be provided with food which contains sufficient iron to ensure a blood haemoglobin level of at least 4.5mmol/litre. (2) A minimum daily ration of fibrous food shall be provided for each calf over 2 weeks old, the quantity being raised in line with the growth of the calf from a minimum of 100g at 2 weeks old to a minimum of 250g at 20 weeks old. Schedule 4, paragraph 13 states that calves shall not be muzzled. Schedule 4, paragraph 14 states that: (1) All calves shall be fed at least twice a day. (2) Where calves are housed in a group and do not have continuous access to feed, or are not fed by an automatic feeding system, each calf shall have access to food at the same time as the others in the feeding group. Schedule 4, paragraph 15 states that: (1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2) below, all calves shall be provided with a sufficient quantity of fresh drinking water each day. (2) Calves shall be provided with fresh drinking water at all times (a) in hot weather conditions, or (b) when they are ill. 103. Bovine colostrum is essential to protect the calf against infectious disease. Ideally calves should be left with their dam for at least 12 and preferably 24 hours after birth. It is recommended that the calf should continue to receive colostrum from its mother for the first three days of life. Allowing the calf to suckle naturally may be the best way to make sure that it gets enough colostrum. However, you should supervise suckling carefully and ensure that the udder is clean before the calf sucks. If the calf is unable to suck, colostrum should be given by a suitably trained person using a stomach tube. When there is any doubt about the quantity or quality of colostrum that is available from the cow, you should give it to the calf by teat feeder or stomach tube from another source within six hours of its birth. A store of frozen or some other form of colostrum should be kept on the farm for use in emergencies. 104. Removing the calf earlier than 12–24 hours after birth should only be done for disease control purposes, under the advice of a veterinary surgeon and the protocol should be recorded in the health and welfare plan. These calves should still be fed colostrum. In some circumstances, such as in the control of Johne’s disease, the use of pooled colostrum may promote the transfer of infection. In such cases, to prevent the risk of the spread of infection in the herd, you should ensure that each calf receives colostrum only from its dam or if this is not possible, only from a single animal. 105. You can increase the value of colostrum by specific vaccination of the cow or colostrum donor. In high-yielding dairy cows, you may find that the concentration of antibodies in colostrum is diluted. You should get advice from your veterinary surgeon on ways to improve colostrum to protect calves against infectious diseases. 106. You should not offer milk from cows treated with antibiotics or those being treated for mastitis to calves fed on whole milk. 107. In artificial calf-rearing systems, it is better for the calf to drink from, or be able to reach a dummy teat. Fresh water should be available in the pen. All calves should receive liquid food every day during their first four weeks of life and, in any case, until they are eating enough solid food. 108. When calves are put on unlimited milk-feeding diets, you should make sure that they have enough teats to avoid undue competition and watch them carefully to check that they are all feeding properly. You should take the same care when you introduce solid food, as and when the calves want it. 109. You should wean suckler calves so that it causes as little stress as possible to both cows and calves. You should take particular care of newlyweaned suckling calves and keep them in groups of familiar animals to avoid fighting and crosscontamination. If you have to mix some of the animals, to minimise disease you should make sure that the environment does not stress the calves. 110. You should avoid the routine early weaning of suckled beef calves (at two to three months old) as it can increase the post weaning growth check and thus reduce their resistance to disease. Weaned calves must always have access to fresh forage and weaner mix. You should replace the feed each day so that the food is fresh and appetising. Weaning at between six and nine months of age is recommended, although earlier weaning is acceptable for suckler calves where the cow’s health or body condition is poor. Accommodation The Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2000 (S.I. 2000 No. 1870) Schedule 4, states that: 1. -(1) No calf shall be confined in an individual stall or pen after the age of eight weeks unless a veterinary surgeon certifies that its health or behaviour requires it to be isolated in order to receive treatment. (2) The width of any individual stall or pen for a calf shall be at least equal to the height of the calf at the withers, measured in the standing position, and the length shall be at least equal to the body length of the calf, measured from the tip of the nose to the caudal edge of the tuber ischii (pin bone), multiplied by 1.1. (3) Individual stalls or pens for calves (except for those isolating sick animals) shall have perforated walls which allow calves to have direct visual and tactile contact. (4) For calves kept in groups, the unobstructed space allowance available to each calf shall be – (a) at least 1.5 square metres for each calf with a live weight of less than 150kg, (b) at least 2 square metres for each calf with a live weight of 150kg or more but less than 200kg, and (c) at least 3 square metres for each calf with a live weight of 200kg or more. (5) Each calf shall be able to stand up, turn around, lie down, rest and groom itself without hindrance. (6) Subject to sub-paragraphs (7) and (8) below, each calf that is kept on a holding on which two or more calves are kept shall be able to see at least one other calf. (7) Sub-paragraph (6) above shall not apply to any calf that is kept in isolation on a holding on veterinary advice. (8) For the purpose of calculating the number of calves being kept on a holding in order to determine whether sub-paragraph (6) above applies, no account shall be taken of any calf that is being kept in isolation on that holding on veterinary advice. Transitional provisions for accommodation 2. -(1) Until 1st January 2004 sub-paragraphs (1), (3) and (4) of paragraph 1 shall not apply in relation to accommodation in use before 1st January 1998. (2) Until 1st January 2004, in the case of accommodation brought into use after 1st January 1994 but before 1st January 1998 (a) where calves are housed in groups, each calf of 150kg or more live weight shall have at least 1.5 square metres of unobstructed floor space; and (b) where a calf is housed in an individual stall or pen, the stall or pen shall have at least one perforated wall which enables the calf to see other animals in neighbouring stalls and pens unless isolated for veterinary reasons. Tethering 6. -(1) Calves shall not be tethered, with the exception of group-housed calves which may be tethered for a period of not more than one hour when being fed milk or milk substitute. (2) Where tethers are used in accordance with the preceding sub-paragraph, they shall not cause pain or injury to the calves and shall be inspected regularly and adjusted as necessary to ensure a comfortable fit. (3) Each tether shall be designed to avoid the risk of strangulation or pain or injury and allow the calf to lie down, rest, stand up and groom itself without hindrance. Lighting 7. Where calves are kept in an artificially lit building then, subject to paragraphs 14 and 16 of Schedule 1, artificial lighting shall be provided for a period at least equivalent to the period of natural light normally available between 9.00 a.m. and 5.00 p.m. Cleansing and Disinfection 8. -(1) Housing, stalls, pens, equipment and utensils used for calves shall be properly cleaned and disinfected to prevent cross-infection and the build-up of disease-carrying organisms. (2) Faeces, urine and uneaten or spilt food shall be removed as often as necessary to minimise smell and to avoid attracting flies or rodents. Floors 9. Where calves are kept in a building, floors shall: be smooth but not slippery so as to prevent injury to the calves; be so designed as not to cause injury or suffering to calves standing or lying on them; be suitable for the size and weight of the calves; and form a rigid, even and stable surface. Bedding and lying area 10. -(1) All calves shall be provided with appropriate bedding. (2) All calves shall be kept on, or at all times have access to, a lying area which is clean, comfortable and well-drained and which does not adversely affect the calves. (3) All housed calves and calves kept in hutches or temporary structures shall be kept on, or at all times have access to, a lying area which is well maintained with dry bedding. 111. Housed calves need an environment that is: dry well drained well bedded well ventilated draught free The calves must have enough space for each of them to lie down comfortably. Young calves are particularly susceptible to pneumonia so good ventilation is essential. Ventilation should not be restricted to try and raise the air temperature. 112. Until they are weaned, you should keep housed calves in small groups to: make it easier for you to inspect them limit the spread of disease When calves are fed by natural suckling, other penning arrangements may be satisfactory. 113. You should not put newborn and young calves on totally slatted floors. Suitable bedding should always be provided. Moving and selling calves The Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997 (S.I. 1997 No. 1480) Article 6, states that: (3) Animals shall not be considered fit for transport if (inter alia) they are newborn animals in which the navel has not completely healed. The Welfare of Animals at Markets Order 1990 (S.I. 1990 No. 2627), Article 14, states that: no person shall bring to a market a calf which is less than 7 days old or which has an unhealed navel. no person shall bring to a market a calf which has been brought to a market on more than one occasion in the previous 28 days. it shall be the duty of the owner of any calf in a market on any day, or of his duly authorised agent , to remove it from the market within 4 hours of the time when the last sale by auction of a calf has taken place on that day. in this article “calf” means a bovine animal under 12 weeks of age. 114. To reduce the risk of disease, wherever possible, you should make arrangements to transfer the calves directly from farm to farm rather than through a market. 115. Ideally, young calves reared without their mothers, should receive human contact, preferably from the same stock-keeper. Castration Under the Protection of Animals (Anaesthetics) Act 1954, as amended, it is an offence to castrate calves which have reached two months of age without the use of an anaesthetic. Furthermore, the use of a rubber ring, or other device, to restrict the flow of blood to the scrotum, is only permitted without an anaesthetic if the device is applied during the first week of life. Under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, as amended, only a veterinary surgeon may castrate a calf which has reached the age of two months. 116. Stock-keepers should consider carefully whether castration is necessary. If it is necessary, there are three methods which can be used to castrate calves: a rubber ring or other device, which can only be used in the first seven days of life, by a trained and competent stock-keeper, to restrict the flow of blood to the scrotum bloodless castration, by a trained and competent stock-keeper, by crushing the spermatic cords of calves less than 2 months old, with a burdizzo castration by a veterinary surgeon, using an anaesthetic Disbudding and dehorning Under The Protection of Animals (Anaesthetics) Act 1954, as amended, it is an offence to disbud calves or dehorn any cattle without the use of an anaesthetic other than when chemical cauterisation is used. Chemical cauterisation may only be used during the first week of life. 117. Disbudding means removing the horn buds in calves, before any horn material can be seen. It is preferable to dehorning as it is less stressful to the animal. Disbudding should take place before calves are two months old and ideally as soon as you can start to see the horn bud. It is strongly recommended that chemical cauterisation should not be used. Disbudding should only be carried out with a heated iron, under local anaesthetic, by a trained and competent stock-keeper. 118. Dehorning should not be a routine procedure. It involves cutting or sawing horn and other sensitive tissues under local anaesthetic. Ideally, a veterinary surgeon should do it, and only if it is necessary for the herd’s welfare. It should not be a routine procedure. If you feel that dehorning is necessary, it should be done in spring or autumn to avoid flies or frosts. Following the procedure, the animal should be given appropriate pain relief. You should protect the wound from contamination by such things as grass seeds, hay or silage until the hole has scabbed over. You should put hay racks at a level which reduces the risk of food falling onto the head and contaminating the wound. 119. The person doing the disbudding or dehorning should always allow enough time for the anaesthetic to numb the area before they begin. They should test this by pricking the skin in the area to see whether the animal can still feel anything around the horn bud or the base of the horn. Supernumerary teats Under the Veterinary Surgeons Act 1966, as amended, only a veterinary surgeon may remove a supernumerary teat from a calf which has reached three months of age. The Protection of Animals (Anaesthetics) Act 1954 makes it an offence to remove a supernumerary teat from a calf which has reached three months of age without the use of an anaesthetic. 120. If an animal has supernumerary teats (i.e. too many teats) and the extra ones are to be removed, the operation should be done at an early age. Anyone carrying out the procedure should be suitably trained and competent. Once the local anaesthetic has numbed the area and antiseptic has been applied, the supernumerary teats should be removed with clean, sharp scissors. Any bleeding should be stopped immediately.
Useful publications
A Defra publications related to cattle welfare as at March 2003 You can get copies of all these publications, free of charge, from: Defra Publications Admail 6000 London SW1A 2XX Telephone enquiries: 0845 955 6000 Email: defra@iforcegroup.com Website: http://www.defra.gov.uk These publications are updated regularly. For more information on the most current versions and new publications, please contact Defra’s Animal Welfare Division on 020 7904 6521. B Legislation related to cattle welfare as at March 2003 You can get copies of the legislation quoted in this code from the Stationery Office at: TSO Publications Centre PO Box 29 Norwich NR3 1GN Telephone orders: 0870 600 5522 Email: book.enquiries@theso.co.uk Website: https://www.tsoshop.co.uk/bookstore.asp C Other useful publications related to cattle welfare British Standard for milking machine installations, BS/ISO 3918, 5707 and 6690 (1996). British Standard on the design and construction of cattle buildings, BS5502 Part 40. Code of practice on the responsible use of animal medicines on the farm (2001) (Veterinary Medicines Directorate).
Further information
For further information on cattle identification and cattle movements Contact: British Cattle Movement Service BCMS Curwen Road Workington Cumbria CA14 2DD Helpline: 0845 0501234 Email: ctsonline@bcms.defra.gsi.gov.uk If you would like any more information or advice about this code, please contact your local Animal Health Divisional Office or Defra’s Animal Welfare Division on 020 7904 6521. Back to top
outside. A bull or bull’s head should be shown (black on yellow) on the sign, with supplementary text (also black on yellow) such as ‘bull in field’ if desired. Supplementary text should not...
Apr 11, 2024 · Fetlocks should be able to be pulled outside the vulva and the legs should be straight. If the legs are crossed over, it could be a sign of a large calf with big shoulders, and a vet may be...
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Explore the complexities of dairy farming, from global production statistics to welfare concerns for dairy cows. Learn about the impact of intensive farming practices, including confinement, high milk yields, and health issues, and discover efforts toward higher welfare standards.
