23
www.age.co.nz Thursday, May 21, 2020
MOVING DAY
ON THE DAIRY FARM
Moving Day on Monday 1st June – road drivers please be considerate June 1st is traditionally the day when sharemilkers and other farmers change properties. It is one of the biggest days in the dairy farming calendar every year. Over a few hours, thousands of dairy cattle and associated stock will be on the move, along with sharemilkers, their families, vehicles, and household goods. Federated Farmers is asking for drivers to be aware of these stock movements on rural roads. “Moving Day involves moving the whole household too. We’re asking people driving in rural areas to be aware that there may be a larger than usual number of stock on the road or
in stock trucks. “If you encounter stock on the road then please be patient and please do not honk your horn as that will startle stock.” Large numbers of cattle on the roads can leave slippery residue, points out Darren Cottingham, director of DT Driver Training (www.drivingtests.co.nz) Farmers try to mitigate the worst of the mud and e˛ uent as they can be held liable if it contributes to a crash, but it is di˝ cult to eliminate it all and if there is light rain it can be almost as slippery as ice, Darren says.
Tips and tricks
Motorists should look out for evidence of cattle being on the road – trampled verges, mud and e˛ uent, and signage warning of livestock ahead - but also bear in mind that these might not be visible at night. There will be warning signs well in advance – the law is three times the speed limit in metres, for example, if it’s 80km/h, there will be a sign at least 240 metres before the herd. Companies should warn their drivers if they will be heading into rural areas, and rental vehicle agencies should make their clients aware of the potential danger, advises Darren.
• Get in touch with your insurer well before the move - there might be more things to discuss than you think. It’s a good idea to know the physical address, building details, any plant or machinery details, and the details of your sharemilking or contract milking agreement if applicable. • Use professional cleaners to do a full house clean - book early. • If you do clean the houses yourself make sure you do it to a standard that you would be happy with if your family were moving into the house, i.e. do a really good job • Make sure you know when the house you are moving into will be vacant • Check if there is the possibility of having 24 to 72 hours between families/tenants leaving and arriving. This can take the pressure o˜ . • Pack VERY important items separately. These should travel with you, e.g. phone chargers, Sky TV remote, ipads for kids, Important documentation including passport, visa, marriage certiÿ cates, insurance policies, motor vehicle ownership documentation etc.
Must haves for move day • • • • • • •
Movers’ contact details Mobile phone & charger Laptop computer & charger Pen & paper Cash Snacks & drink Applicable medicine
Motorists need to be patient when they come across moving cattle
Source: www.dairynz.co.nz
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24
Thursday, May 21, 2020 Wairarapa Times-Age
How to have a COVID-safe moving day Moving Day must be managed using COVID-safe protocols, says DairyNZ.
Some COVID-safe protocols should already be part of a farm’s existing safety requirements - managing Moving Day will simply be an extension of these. As with managing other hazards and risks on farm, the focus in managing COVID-19 is on ensuring all the necessary discussions are happening so that everyone knows what is expected of them and what others will be doing. Central to this is that COVIDsafe practices are in place, risks are managed and minimised where possible and alternative work practices are followed rather than reliance on PPE. One of the key strategies farmers can use is ensuring existing bubbles are maintained where possible. Farmers don’t have to submit a formal plan to anyone in order to proceed with Moving Day. However, business owners should have a plan and will be expected to complete some paperwork.
One of the key Covid-safe strategies is to stay in existing bubbles.
Business owners need to be able to produce these documents if requested by WorkSafe and/or MPI. Source: www.dairynz.co.nz
Minimising the risk of COVID transmission You are obliged to minimise transmission risks where
farm, those in supporting businesses, and friends and family who may help)
possible. All farms and businesses need to change their work practices appropriately to provide the highest level of control possible.
• Ensure physical distancing
There are ÿ ve key ways to control COVID-19 that should be used in your plan: • Conÿ rm people are okay to participate in Moving Day (includes people usually on
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• General hygiene including disinfecting surfaces and maintaining good personal hygiene, particularly hand hygiene and cough/sneeze etiquette
where possible – have existing bubbles work together on one task whilst another existing bubble does another task, try to prevent or minimise overlap • Keep records to support contact tracing if someone gets sick. Source: www.dairynz.co.nz
• Maintain existing bubbles
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www.age.co.nz Thursday, May 21, 2020
Moving animals
“At Alert Level 2 family and friends may help but physical distancing rules apply. Try to use already existing bubbles.”
All cattle, regardless of their purpose, must be treated with care and respect as they are being prepared for transport and then physically transported, advises DairyNZ. A comfortable and safe journey for cattle reduces effluent on public roads and ensures animals arrive at their destination fit and healthy.
Under Alert Levels 2 cows can be milked along their journey, although the preference is not to. This will require thorough disinfection of the dairy shed before and after your herd being milked – for both COVID-19 and biosecurity reasons. At Alert Level 2 family and friends may help but physical distancing rules apply. Try to use already existing bubbles.
Day prior to transporting • Confirm stock are all ‘good to go’ with BCS of 3 or higher, fit and healthy
MOVING DAY
ON THE DAIRY FARM
• Milk any lactating cows • Confirm with transport operator that effluent tanks are empty on trucks prior to loading stock • Complete ASD and NAIT documentation • Move to appropriate feed and water access as soon as possible after arrival
Looking after the cows will be all-important as farmers make the big Moving Day shift. DairyNZ recommends farmers stay calm around the cows throughout the move.
and not likely to give birth during the journey
milked immediately prior to loading.
• Stand stock off green feed for at least four hours, but continue feeding silage, hay or straw during stand-off
• Confirm with the transporter times and address details and your expectations for the move.
• Ensure all stock have access to water prior to loading. Many farmers have plumbed in a basic water trough at the yards that can be filled while the yards are in use.
• Make sure you have enough people to help with the loading and unloading for a smooth and efficient process.
• Give extra calcium and magnesium to any lactating cows and consider any other minerals or trace elements (eg extra phosphorus for cows being fed fodder beet). Make arrangements to ensure that these cows are
• Confirm that agreed food and water will be available to animals along the journey if necessary, and upon arrival.
Day of transporting
• Inspect each animal prior to loading to ensure they are fit and healthy for transport
• Two hours following unloading cattle must be checked for signs of injury or illness
Tips and tricks • Talk regularly to your stock carriers and transporters. Share your plans and have them share theirs. Remember some things are outside peoples’ control so if the plan changes find out why first and together work on a new plan • Transporting stock takes time – you will need to begin at least 12 hours before transportation • Be calm around the cattle in the lead up – the lower their stress levels the easier loading, transporting and unloading will be.
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