NEDPA approves best management practices

Over 550 dairy producers and allied industry professionals gathered in Liverpool, N.Y., for the biannual conference of the Northeast Dairy Producers Association (NEDPA). Sustainable agricultural production, carbon footprints, markets, and animal welfare were key discussion topics for the two-day conference held on March 3 and 4 just outside of Syracuse, N.Y.

During the second day of the conference, animal welfare was a major focus as Candace Croney from Ohio State and Nina von Keyserlingk from the University of British Columbia discussed animal welfare initiatives across the country and around the world. Nina then turned the discussion to specific issues on dairy farms and Nigel Cook, D.V.M., from the University of Wisconsin detailed cattle housing.

After those presentations, Daryl Nydam, a Cornell D.V.M., began the Best Management Practices recently adapted by NEDPA. Three specific issues addressed were dehorning, tail docking, and nonambulatory cows. In their position statement, NEDPA supports the right of farmers to choose to dehorn and dock tails as appropriate management practices when these practices are conducted humanely, with best management practices, and under the supervision of a veterinarian.

When it comes to dehorning, NEDPA is recommending that it take place before 8 weeks of age through dehorning paste, thermal cautery, or by gouging technique. Cornual nerve block with lidocaine should be used with all dehorning procedures. In addition, a single-dose of a long-term analgestic, such flunixin, is recommended for pain control and inflammation reduction

For tail docking, NEDPA suggests using an elastrator or cautery tail docker in calves less then 30 days old. They recommend tail docking at a young age. If animals are docked over 1 month of age, cutting requires use of anesthesia with lidocaine. The tail docking issue may be the most controversial as Nydam went on to discuss the American Association of Bovine Practitioners (AABP) position statement on the subject: "The AABP is not aware of sufficient scientific evidence in the literature to support tail docking in cattle. If it is deemed necessary for proper care and management of production animals in certain conditions, veterinarians should counsel clients on proper procedures, benefits, and risks."

NEDPA's protocol for nonambulatory cows includes a provision for prompt relocation from concrete to a safe, well-bedded area. That area must provide adequate footing, provisions for water and food without competition from other cattle, protection from self-injury, injury from other animals, and protection from environmental elements. If it is determined a cow should be euthanized, it should be done quickly without moving the animal. NEDPA recommends using the AABP's guide on euthanasia found in the pdf below.

Practical Euthanasia of Cattle

Tail-docking law signed in California

The nation’s largest dairy state will also be the first to make tail-docking of cattle illegal effective January 1, 2010.

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who earlier this summer derided Senate Bill 135 banning the practice, approved the measure October 11 in a mass signing with 477 other bills. It adds cattle to an existing State Penal Code Section covering horses which makes it a misdemeanor to cut the solid part of the tail, except in medical emergency. Trimming of tail switches is not prohibited.

Introduced in February by State Senate Food and Agriculture Committee Chairman Dean Florez, SB 135 encountered little opposition as it sped through the legislative process. It was approved 58-15 by the State Assembly on September 3, and 26-12 by the State Senate on September 8.

Although relatively few California cows are believed to have their tails docked – industry estimates are just 1.5 to 3 percent – tail-docking is a practice that even the American Veterinary Medical Association has officially opposed since 2004.

California does not figure to be the only state banning the practice for very long. The Humane Society of the United States has already said it will now work for the same legislation in other major dairy states.

California tail-docking bill now goes to governor

Tail docking of cattle is poised to become illegal in the nation’s largest dairy state after lopsided votes of approval in both the California State Assembly and Senate. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who publicly derided the measure earlier this summer, must now sign it to become law. If he does, California will be the first state to ban the practice.

Senate Bill 135 was introduced in February by California Senate Food and Agriculture Committee Chairman Dean Florez. It adds cattle to existing State Penal Code Section 597n covering horses which makes it a misdemeanor to cut the solid part of the tail, except in medical emergency. Trimming of tail switches is not prohibited.

The measure was approved by the State Assembly on September 3 by a vote of 58 to 15 and by the State Senate on September 8 by a vote of 26 to 12.

At the height of the state’s lengthy and contentious budget struggle in July, Schwarzenegger derided the bill during a press conference, saying, “In the midst of a budget crisis they’re debating about cow tails, and I think that this is inexcusable.”

Several European countries already ban tail docking, and, since 2004, the American Veterinary Medical Association has had an official policy opposing the practice.