All voyages leaving Australia will have accredited stockpersons accompany the voyage. 

Vets

Australian Accredited Veterinarians (AAV’s) are required on all journeys which are considered long haul, if the vessel is transporting pregnant animals and when directed by government.
It is the AAV’s duty to treat any sick or injured animals in designated hospital pens. If the animal requires euthanasia the AAV’s have the appropriate medical equipment supplied onboard to humanely carry this out. If an animal is found deceased in a pen, they are moved to specified points where a post-mortem is carried out to ensure the welfare of remaining animals. All sickness and death are recorded daily and sent to the Australian Federal Government.

Sick Animals

Depending on the type of illness the animal may have, treatment will vary however the general procedure is:

  1. Identify the animal and what is believed to be the issue or cause of the livestock’s concern.
  2. If required, pull the animal out of its pen and move it to a hospital pen where it can be isolated and treated without being potentially injured more by other livestock in a confined space.
  3. Each vessel is equipped with a range of medicines that the stockman will administer to the animal as required.
  4. Continue to monitor and treat the animal accordingly.

 

Daily Routine

Each stockperson/veterinarian will have their own routine, below is an example of the daily routine

  • 5:30am – 6am: Scan the decks prior to feeding to observe how the cattle are acting in a rest period.
  • 6am -7:30am: Watch the cattle as they are receiving their morning feed. Seeing how aggressive they are on the feed, and seeing which animals are hanging back and understanding the mood of the cattle.
  • 7:30 – 8:30am: Stockman breakfast.
  • 8:30am – 10am: Do the ‘rounds’. This is ensuring every animal stands up, checking their legs and individually assessing the animals to ensure they are all comfortable and healthy.
  • 10 – 10:30am: Morning Smoko.
  • 10:30 – 11:30am: Any other checks/treatments that are required. Moving animals to hospital pens if requiring any extra TLC. If required, a top-up of feed can be given.
  • 11:30-12:30: Morning meeting with Chief mate and Bosun (Deck Boss) about the voyage. At this time if adjustments to plans need to be made, it will be done here. The stockman will then go and write their daily report about the voyage to be sent to the exporter (and the department depending on the voyage).
  • 12:30 – 1:30pm: Stockman lunch.
  • 1:30 – 3pm: Walking the decks to observe the cattle. Making a plan for the afternoon feed and assisting the crew to clean waters.
  • 3 – 3:30pm: Afternoon smoko.
  • 3:30 – 5:30pm: Afternoon feed and doing the rounds of the cattle.
  • Between 5:30pm and 5:30am there will be a night watchman that goes through the decks to clean waters and observe the cattle. If they observe any issues, they will alert the stock person immediately. The stock person may also go down in the evenings to have a look at the cattle whilst they are in a resting state. You do not want to constantly be disturbing the cattle in the evening as they are trying to rest.

 

RESOURCES 

Australian Accredited Veterinarian Association

LiveCorp Accredited Stockpersons

 

VIDEOS

Veterinarian Bryce Mooring explains his role to ensure the health and well-being of the livestock in all parts of the supply chain.