Friday, March 29, 2024

Staying within the law

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Dairy NZ began a series of workshops for farmers on calving issues within two weeks of the Government announcing changes to the code of welfare for dairy cattle to cover the humane destruction of calves on farms. How to humanely slaughter stock and stay onside with the law was among the topics covered.
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Starting in Stratford on June 12, the StockSense workshops were designed to provide farmers and their staffs with the practical skills and knowledge needed to make the calving season “the best it can be”. The workshops move to the South Island this month and were scheduled to finish in Westport on July 16.

Nita Harding, technical policy advisor (veterinary) at DairyNZ, said several topics were addressed at each workshop. One stream of topics was intended for new and junior staff, dealing with calving management and care of new-born calves. The other was intended more for managers and owners and focused more on preparing for calving, including the humane slaughter of stock on farms.

To help farmers deal with requirements under the new code, farmers were given an opportunity to practice with a captive-bolt gun, but not on animals, Harding said. The practice sessions used a piece of medium-density fibreboard with a diagram of a calf’s head. Instruction was given on the safe use of the weapon, safe storage, and how to use it properly on an animal.

Farmers also were instructed on the signs to look for to confirm if an animal was unconscious or dead. 

“The changes in the code of welfare with regard to the slaughter of calves on farms emphasise that people with those [captive bolt guns] are trained and competent,” Harding said. .

“This addressed that training requirement.”

The code also requires people who are euthanasing animals on farms to make sure they are “rendered insensible” or unconscious immediately.

“So we talk about how to assess that and what it, means because it’s a technical term which needs explanation,” Harding said.

“We also talk about what to do to confirm the animal has died from the procedure.”

Taking its pulse isn’t easy but “you can get idea if it’s dead if you watch for chest movement”. 

Eyes are a good indicator – there will be no blink reflex in a dead animal and pupils will dilate and glaze. Farmers can try to detect a heartbeat, too, although Harding said this can be difficult in wet, cold or dark conditions out in the field.

When an animal is shot, either with a rifle or a captive-bolt gun, it should collapse immediately. It will stiffen for a short while, then relax “and could do a bit of paddling” (a reflex action).

If there is uncertainty about whether an animal is dead, it should be shot again or its throat should be cut. It also can be pithed, a process that destroys the brain tissue by putting something through the hole where the animal has been shot and into the brain.

“It sounds a bit gruesome but it is quite effective,” Harding said.

“But the easiest thing to do on a farm is to shoot the animal again because it can be messy if you bleed them out.”

Another acceptable method for euthanasing an animal is an injection of lethal chemicals. But the drugs are strictly controlled and must be administered only by veterinarians. 

One issue is that the drugs would remain in the carcase. If dogs or other animals ate the carcase they could become sick or die. 

“If you do have a vet, and use chemicals, disposable of the carcase is important,” Harding said.

“The veterinarian should advise farmers on that.”

The revised code does allow the use of blunt force trauma – hitting the animal on the head with a hammer, a piece of steel pipe or something similar – but only in unexpected and unforeseen circumstances.

“The emphasis is on ‘unexpected’ and ‘unforeseen’,” Harding said.

“We are interpreting this to mean that if there is anything you could reasonably plan for, then you shouldn’t be using blunt force trauma.”

The changes to the code aim to encourage farmers to use better euthanasia practices. But on a well-run farm not many animals would require euthanasia, Harding said.

“Through the spring, yes, a few cows might need veterinary assistance,” she said.

“You will get deformed calves or calves unlikely to survive.

“But there won’t be many in a well-managed herd, particularly if supervision of calving is good, so a cow having difficulty with calving should be attended to quickly.”

The workshops also emphasised the need to take particular care of farm animals at that time of year, ensure staff were well prepared and set up good rosters so that animals were well cared for and there were fewer emergencies. 

DairyNZ has information on its website and had been quietly spreading the message about the revised code and its requirements, Harding said. 

“But it’s not a topic we want to put in neon lights.”

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