I've been pondering this for a couple of days, so here goes. The March April time frame may be the generally best time to transport cattle over long distances. Unless you are trailing them. If transporting them in some form of conveyence, i.e. trailer or truck the stress should be minimal. No severe heat, your worst cold/icey weather should be over, unless you are hauling them over the pass from the wesy side, and even then the roads will be clear. Draught free environment, good but not over fat BCS, a full load but not crowded, vaccinated, a minimum of pre and loading stress. This applies to the cattle going both ways but may be even more important for the younger ones. When they arrive at their destination, have plenty of fresh water, salt, minerals on preferably a reltively confined fresh pasture, or barring pasture a top quality hay available free choice. When you unload them, don't ptocess them or herd them around, just kick them out and let them rest and recuperate for a day or so. Keep a close on them for a week or so for any signs of illness. We have transported and had transported cows in the third stage with very little problem as long as they were healthy to start and in good condition with little stress. The hardest part will probably be trying to keep the draught away and still get adequate air circulation.
dunmovin farms
> ***** I have a question in here.
> Bottom line, I couldn't get my
> cows bred this summer since the
> weather turned unusually hot and I
> came up with a better plan. I
> decided to ship my cows down to my
> Dad's bull and let him do my job
> for this year. My question is:
> When can I plan on bringing my
> cows back home. We are talking
> about a 325 mile trip one way. I
> figure if he catches them in
> September, the calves will be
> coming in June -- I will worry
> about the heat next year... lol
> ... anyway, I traded my three cows
> to winter with Dad for six heifers
> that I am wintering for him. They
> have to be back home to the bull
> by the end of April and that is
> when I wanted to bring my pregnant
> cows back home. Is that going to
> be a problem, or will they be
> okay? Forty five years ago, the
> folks transported a pregnant cow
> the month before she calved and
> things were great. But that was
> then, and them... and this is now
> and ME! Know what I mean??? lol