Fax: 028 9263 3003
Operations Centre
Lissue House
31 Ballinderry Road
LISBURN
Northern Ireland
BT28 2SL
Housing And Facilities
All housing
In this section the areas to be checked are the floors, ventilation, draughts, drainage, cleanliness and lighting levels (including levels of low light to encourage rest).
Lying areas for young calves, in-calf or milking cattle will be checked to ensure non-slatted areas are available. The maintenance levels in all areas (including gateways and tracks) will be assessed to ensure livestock will not become injured or distressed due to damaged facilities.
Bull pens (if applicable) and the groups in which animals are housed i.e. size, sex and horned/un-horned will be checked as well as the method of dealing with tethered cattle.
Cubicles
The design, size and number of the cubicles will be assessed to ensure there is one for each animal if necessary and that the cubicles match the breed and size of the cattle so that they can show normal behaviour when loafing, lying, ruminating and rising. The cleanliness and bedding provided will be checked as well as the provision of a loafing area.
Group yards
If a group yard is provided, it must allow all cattle to have adequate space to lie simultaneously, and is this area kept clean, dry and bedded with a sufficient depth of bedding to prevent a build up of bacteria or soiling of the skin.
Out-wintered cattle
Shelter and feeding arrangements for out-wintered cattle will be checked.
Calving facilities
Calving facilities when assessed must have provision for restraining an animal, the area must be bedded and well lit.
Farm Appearance
The farm as a whole should present an acceptable and tidy appearance to the general public.