Inspect Stock Trailers Before Transporting Cattle
Courtesy of CattleNetwork.com
With spring work winding down in many areas of the state, beef producers are starting to bring cattle out to summer pastures.
For producers who don't pasture cattle close to home or don't herd their cattle cross-country to green grass, a stock trailer is an integral part of this spring ritual.
"Because the safety of the cattle and of the producers is at stake, it is important to take a few minutes to inspect the trailer and look for potential problems before loading cattle," North Dakota State University Extension Service beef cattle specialist Carl Dahlen says.
Here are parts of the trailer that producers should inspect:
* Floor: Make sure wood floors have not deteriorated excessively. Through time, wet manure can cause wood floors to rot, which can create a hazard for animals being transported in the trailer. Make sure the floors are sound, and minimize the possibility of animals slipping on floors. While secure footing and some bedding may minimize slippage, handling cattle in a quiet, calm, low-stress manner is of utmost importance.
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