Transporting Livestock Overseas – Tips and Advice

Livestock transport is the movement of farm animals across the land, water, or air. Types of animal livestock include cows, chickens, pigs, sheep, turkeys, ducks, geese, and rabbits. These are raised either for food, leather, fur, or down production.

In addition to the types of livestock mentioned above, there are many others, including fish, insects, reptiles, and birds.

The livestock industry is very big worldwide. There is an estimate of about one billion heads of livestock in Europe alone. This makes up approximately 50% of the total world livestock population. The largest exporter of live cattle is France.

Other countries include Germany, The Netherlands, Spain, and Italy. All of these countries export around 4.5 million tons of beef per annum.

In this article, we'll be covering everything you need to know about safe and successful livestock transport. Read on!

How Do You Transport Livestock Safely?

As you can probably imagine, safely transporting livestock requires meticulous planning and preparation. There are three main parts:

1. Loading
2. Transportation
3. Unloading

There are different requirements and protocols at each level. If you don't comply, you risk getting a hefty fine or possibly jail time. Poor considerations for your livestock during transit can also result in livestock death or injury.

Need some advice? Here are six tips to help you get started:

Tip #1: Consider Building Ramps

Build a ramp out of wood, or even just a few boards, and test it at a lower height. Once you've determined how well it works, you can add more panels for stability.

Keep improving until you reach the height you desire. Make sure you use enough reinforcements to hold the weight of your animals. When you're done, you'll have a safe and stable ramp that won't cost you much money.

Tip #2: Load Slowly and Quietly

Animals, during transport, make contact with other animals. Don't rush your loading process, or you risk injury and shock during transit.

If you move quickly or make loud noises while loading the animals, it could cause them to become anxious. This can lead to fidgeting, pacing, whining, and even aggression or overwhelm.

To avoid such problems:

1. Load your animals calmly and gently.
2. Start by backing up the vehicle slowly, checking for obstacles in your path.
3. Then stop the vehicle until it settles down.
4. When they are calm, start driving again.

Another thing to not forget is that even calm animals, like cows, can become dangerous if they feel threatened or scared. So, suppose your animals aren't responding well to the unloading process. In that case, it might be wise to stop and consider what's happening. Otherwise, you risk hurting or scaring them.

Tip #3: Consider the Climate

If you try to move animals in bad weather, you are unlikely to have a successful outcome. If you must transport animals in hot weather, do so in the morning or evening, when it's cooler.

When moving animals in cold weather, try to do so during the day. Animals will tend to stay warmer during the day than at night.

If you are transporting overseas, you may also want to purchase a trailer that has special insulation built in. This will help keep your animals warm and comfortable during the trip.

Tip #4: Don't Overcrowd

It's important to take into account that livestock doesn't travel well in cramped quarters. They need lots of room to stretch out and walk around freely. So try to give each animal enough space to stand up straight and turn around without bumping into anything.

Overcrowded animals can become frightened and aggressive. If you see signs of aggression, take steps to prevent it from escalating. For example, if your animals look agitated and overcrowded, consider moving your stock in two loads rather than forcing them all into one.

Tip #5: Recognize Animal Stress Symptoms

When transporting animals, it’s important to spot early warning signs of stress. Some common symptoms of animal stress include:

• An accelerated heartbeat
• Increased body temperature
• Breathing or panting
• Shivering or shaking
• Lethargy
• Excessive calling

The most obvious sign of stress is an elevated heart rate. This is usually accompanied by increased respiration and muscle tremors. Do not panic if you notice any of these symptoms. Instead, take immediate action. This takes us to the next tip.

Tip #6: Work with an Accredited Veterinarian

Transporting livestock overseas means a long journey. Weeks will probably pass before you get to your destination. That's why it's important to work with a veterinarian who is familiar with the needs of livestock and can handle any animal care.

A vet will be able to tell you about the best ways to prepare for the trip, including things like proper nutrition and exercise. He or she will also be able to provide advice on how to handle any potential health concerns along the way.

Tip #7: Have Your Animals Ready Ahead of Time

You should plan ahead for the transport of your livestock and make sure that your animals are ready to go. This includes making sure their vaccinations are current and that they have been fed, watered, and exercised. These steps are necessary to keep the animals safe and healthy for the trip.

Make sure you pack your livestock properly. Also, make sure you pack extra bedding material. This will help keep them comfortable while traveling.

Tip #8: Know The Regulations

Before you head off to transport livestock overseas, it's crucial to understand the rules. There are many different countries where you can ship livestock, and each one has its own set of regulations.

For example, some countries require that all animals arrive healthy and sound. Others only permit certain types of animals to be transported. For instance, some countries don't allow horses to be shipped but rather transported by airplane.

Also, there are different laws regarding the size of vehicles that can carry livestock. In some places, trucks over 12 feet wide are prohibited from carrying livestock.

Tip #9: Understand the Shipper's Responsibilities

In general, livestock transportation companies must ensure that the animals in their care are treated humanely. They must ensure the animals' safe transit. The animals must be sturdy and healthy. Disease-and-parasite-free.

The livestock transportation companies responsible for shipping livestock overseas must be licensed by the USDA. This license allows the company to legally ship livestock across state lines.

Tip #10: Don't Forget About Insurance

It's important to keep in mind that when you're shipping livestock overseas, you may be exposed to risks that aren't present in the United States. These risks include theft, damage to property, and injury. Consider buying insurance to protect yourself and your livestock.

Tip #11: Have an Emergency Plan

Animals on journeys abroad need to be prepared for emergencies. If anything happens, you want to know what steps you can take to get your animals back home safely. Having a contact at each stop could help. Now is a good time to start planning if you don't have an emergency plan already.

Final Thoughts

When transporting livestock overseas, it's essential to follow the right procedures. Doing so will help ensure that your animals reach their destination safely and without incident.

At A1 Auto Transport, we provide safe and reliable auto transport services locally and nationwide. In addition, we offer international transportation of live animals by air, land, sea, and train. Your livestock will be handled with extra care and respect.

To find out more about our expertise, please visit us online today!