The Australian livestock industry has long utilised curfew practices to manage animal welfare and food safety during transportation, sale and slaughter. Livestock are withheld from lush pasture and green feed before transport to help manage effluent production and reduce faecal contamination. All livestock should have access to clean water up to the time of transport. Make sure the total time without water meets the guidelines for the species and age of the individual animals.
Cattle and sheep should be taken off lush pasture and green feed for 12 and 24 hours respectively before transport. Consider the body condition, health status, age of the animal, transportation time and environmental conditions. An alternative dry feed source, such as cereal or pasture hay, should be provided when livestock are taken off lush pasture and green feed
Feed curfew before transport factsheet
Factors to consider
Recommended curfew durations before the transport of livestock depend on these factors:
- the quality and availability of feed, and environmental conditions such as season, temperature, and humidity.
- livestock specifics such as age, breed, reproductive status and body condition.
- management factors such as mustering and handling practices, transport stocking density and the duration of transport.