Considerations for Dairy Cattle Fitness to Transport

Transporting dairy animals requires a careful and considerate approach to guarantee their welfare while adhering to industry standards. In the past, dairy cull cows and bob veal have faced some tough challenges, leading to concerns about meat residue violations. The industry has seen a meaningful improvement over the past decade. The latest USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) report shows that fewer than 0.03% of dairy cull cows tested positive for any meat residues when sent to slaughter. This is a remarkable achievement we can all take pride in.

The USDA FSIS has two meat residue sampling programs. The first one samples a percentage of carcasses using a random testing program. The second type of residue testing is inspector-generated testing. In this system, a USDA inspector identifies carcasses for testing that are most likely to have residues, such as carcass defects like an injection site blemish on the neck. Cattle marketed with shortcomings like mastitis, metritis or lameness may also be targeted for testing. This testing helps ensure that any meat with drug residue does not enter our food system.

Factors to Consider before Shipping a Cull Cow

Recordkeeping

Recordkeeping is an easy first step when making decisions to transport your cattle. It is recommended that you keep records on cattle for a minimum of two years. When it comes to treatment records, the following should be recorded:

• Date of treatment
• Medicine name
• Purpose of treatment
• Dose and route
• Length of treatment
• Withdrawal time for milk
• Withdrawal time for meat

Records should be shared with anyone purchasing your cattle. Likewise, it's important to check your records for the milk and meat withdrawal times before shipping a cow to a packing plant or auction market. Treatments should be given according to the label and to the class of animal listed on the label.

Consult with the herd veterinarian if you are on the fence about culling an animal. If the animal has been treated, the veterinarian may recommend that the producer extend the label withholding time. Even if the drug dosage and route of administration are followed, sick or dehydrated cows may not clear drugs out of their systems as quickly or effectively as healthy animals.

Cull Cattle Quality Resources

Making the best culling decisions is more than just following drug withdrawal times. Certain animals are not suited for transport, like animals that are too weak, fatigued or that could become nonambulatory. These animals are also at higher risk of being red-flagged once they arrive at the processing plant, which could lead to condemnation.

Two helpful tools to determine if your cattle meet the requirements for fitness for transportation are body condition scoring (BCS) and locomotion scoring based on the FARM Animal Care Program. These scoring systems should be taught to all farm employees with animal care responsibilities to be able to gauge the well-being of animals.

• Body condition scores: A range of 1-5 is used, with 1 indicating a severely underweight or emaciated cow, and 5 indicating an obese cow. The ideal range for shipping dairy cattle is a score of 2 or above. Producers should not let cattle decline to a BCS of 1; however, with fast-acting diseases, this can occur. Consulting a veterinarian on whether treatment will be effective is pivotal. Thinking about what is best for the cow and even the consumer and their perception of our industry, we push for cattle that are scoring a BCS of 1 be euthanized on-farm and not sent to auction facilities, as their chances of making it through the entire process from farm to auction barn to packing facility is low.
• Locomotion scores: A scale of 1-3 is used. Animals scoring a 1 have a normal, healthy gait. Animals that score a 2 have a slight limp or favor one limb. Animals with a score of 3 are severely lame. It is recommended to avoid transporting animals that are severely lame. Animals that need mechanical assistance to stand or walk should not be shipped.

Not only do these serve as fitness tools for transportation, but they also help us pinpoint when problems arise and help us tackle these issues early. This can enhance cattle health, minimize the need for treatments and prevent costly complications down the line.

Tips Before You Ship

There are additional conditions to consider when checking cattle before transporting. Cattle should be in good health so they can withstand long hauling times. Prior to shipping, low-stress handling for loading and unloading should be used to help reduce risks like dark cutting beef and bruising. All cows should be sent with empty udders, as milk is considered a contaminant at the plant. Producers should also check for weather conditions that may make transportation a higher risk and plan accordingly. According to the FARM’s Considerations for Culling and Transporting Dairy Animals to Market, the following conditions are unlikely to pass preslaughter inspection and can include, but aren’t limited to:

• Cancer in the eye
• Blindness in both eyes
• Fever greater than 103ºF
• Peritonitis (any infection or inflammation around the abdomen)
• Cows with unreduced prolapses
• Cows that are calving or have an elevated chance of calving during hauling
• Distended udders causing pain and ambulatory issues
• Suspected central nervous system symptoms
• Visible open wounds

Trailer density and other related transportation topics can be referenced on the Beef Quality Assurance website.

Cull Cattle Quality Decision-Making Team

"Build your team before you get to the scene" is a saying that Lisa Pederson, North Dakota State University Extension Specialist, shares with producers. Pederson states, "It takes a great group of team members on your operation to make the best decisions for the health and well-being of your cattle and your business." Your team can include owners, herd managers, veterinarians, nutritionists, extension specialists and anyone else who can be a resource in your decision-making. Building your team can help ensure the best decisions are made for your operation.

Adhering to fitness-to-transport protocols and making informed culling decisions based on thorough assessments can enhance the quality of beef entering the food chain. By executing these practices, producers ensure that they deliver healthier, safer products to the market, ultimately building trust and loyalty among consumers.

This article was published in the August 22, 2025 issue of Progressive Dairy.