Cull cow decision action card
Questions to help you determine if a cow is fit to ship.
This action card can help you decide if a cow is fit to ship. Discuss cull cow welfare and options for compromised animals with a veterinarian. The links provide additional information on each topic and how to assess. Check here for Humane Transport information. This card is meant to be a guide.
The information for this card was adapted from: Moorman, AKG et al. 2018 Assessment of culled dairy cows on farms, and at livestock auctions markets in Ontario. University of Guelph Thesis.
| Question | Measure and Record | Requirements or Resources |
|---|---|---|
| Is her body temperature normal? | Measure body temperature ____________ °C or °F Normal: Yes or No | Normal body temperature 37.9-39.4°C or 100.2 - 102.9 °F |
| Is her body condition score thin (<2.0/5.0)? | Body Condition Score _________________ Acceptable: Yes or No | Body condition score of 2.0 or higher out of 5.0. Body Condition Scoring of Dairy Cattle Quick Guide to Body Condition Scoring |
| Is she lame? (i.e., limping won't put full weight on foot) | Lameness Score _________________ Acceptable: Yes or No | Lameness score 0 (none) or 1 out of 5. The cow is not visibly lame. Lameness Descriptions Rendering Animals Compromised or Unfit for Transport - Canadian Food Inspection Agency Quick Guide to Gait Scoring - Dairy Farmers of Canada |
| Has she been dried off? | Last milking (dd/mm/yy) _________________ Dried off: Yes or No | Drying Cows Off |
| Are drug residues possible? | Last date treated (dd/mm/yy): _________________ Withdrawal time complete: Yes or No | Food Insight (Animal Antibiotics, Antimicrobial Resistance and Impact on Food Safety) |
| Could mastitis flare up? | Check California Mastitis Test (CMT): No or mild mastitis: | No or only mild cases of mastitis. |
| Is she sick or in pain? (i.e., snotty nose, vaginal discharge, off feed, twisted stomach, diarrhea, swelling/lumps, abscesses, surgery sites, abscesses) | List issue(s): _________________ Are these problems acceptable for sale? | Signs of an Unfit Animal |