A down cow (recumbent cow) is one that is sitting or lying on the ground and unable to get up. Cows can become recumbent for many reasons, and at any stage of their lactation cycle, but this most commonly occurs around calving time. Preventative measures, such as appropriate bull selection, feeding and mineral supplementation, and springer management can avoid most down cows.

SPCA is concerned about the production demands placed on dairy cattle.

Our organisation advocates that anticipated levels of milk production should be balanced against, and be consistent with, the good health and welfare of the cows. Genetic selection and management practices to increase production levels must not be such that this is detrimental to the cows’ welfare or leaves them with metabolic deficiencies that result in poor health outcomes or do not enable them to perform their natural behaviours.

SPCA supports the rapid diagnosis and early treatment of down cows.

The longer a cow is down, the poorer the prognosis for the animal. Cows should receive veterinary attention if they have been down for 24 hours. Cows with a poor prognosis for recovery (recovery is unlikely or pain, suffering and distress cannot be mitigated) must be humanely euthanised immediately.

SPCA opposes the use of hip lifters.

SPCA advocates for the use of floatation therapy or the correct use of slings as the preferable methods to treat down cows. SPCA opposes the use of lifting cows with hip lifters as their use is detrimental to the cow’s welfare, and other preferable alternatives are available (e.g. correct use of slings or the use of floatation tanks). Cows must never be moved using hip lifters.

SPCA advocates that extra consideration is given to cull cows, lactating cows, and pregnant cows to ensure they do not go down during or after transport.

Decision-making tools reduce the risk of transporting cows at risk of going down during transport. MPI’s ‘Fit for Transport’ app provides guidance to reduce the risk of cows going down during the journey, such as selecting animals for transport, providing water up to loading, reducing time in yards before loading, minimising the distance travelled, and providing appropriate pre-transportation supplementation.

SPCA opposes the transport of sick or injured cattle.

Cull cows, lactating cows, and pregnant cows have specific welfare risks. Efforts need to be made across the supply chain to ensure that these animals are prepared adequately for transport, taken to the nearest processor, and transported in appropriate conditions. SPCA opposes the transport of lactating and cull cows across the Cook Strait.