Industry applauds livestock handling course

by Claire De'Athe

Unfortunately, on more than one occasion we’ve met them.
On our farm, the banging of cattle against the aluminum sides of the trailer makes us cringe. Then the whoosh of air brakes, more clattering, as the cattle liner backs up to our loading chute.

My husband Doug and I have looked at one another disparagingly and rolled our eyes: the unspoken words, “another live one,” hang in the air. We help the trucker load and when we are done, shake our heads.

Fortunately, the careless, untrained livestock hauler is not the average. I remember one of Doug Green’s drivers well.

I realized he’d arrived to pick-up a load of fats when I saw his rig idling in front of the chute. He was grumpy with us humans, but efficient at handling stock. In very short order the big, possum belly eased away from the yard. There was a minimum of scraping in the trailer and the odd click as he geared up. The motor growled steadily and we heard a hiss of brakes as the semi paused to turn onto the main road. We went back to work feeling pleased and confident that those steers would be well taken care of on the trip.

It isn’t always that livestock transportation companies are able to hire drivers with experience handling and hauling all varieties of cattle, hogs, the other four footed animals as well as poultry. With animal care and welfare issues growing within the agricultural industry, producers need to be concerned about our image—both on the farm and on the road­.

Seeing a need for better education, the Alberta Farm Animal Council became the driving force behind establishing the Canadian Certified Livestock Transport training program. Input and funding came from Agriculture Canada, various provincial government departments and the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. When the Farm Animal Councils of Saskatchewan and Ontario saw the benefits, they too, jumped on board.

The course is designed to provide skills certification for the Canadian livestock transportation sector. As well as elevating the degree of driver professionalism, it also provides some standardization.

This was a much-needed initative because the meat industry is wholly dependent on transportation. Hog plants, participants in the Canada Gold Beef program and an increasing number of major feedlots, are now demanding that drivers delivering or picking up stock at their premises be CLT certified.

On February 20, a day long CLT course, promoted by the MCPA, was held in Brandon.
Ken McDonald from Indian Head, Saskatchewan was the trainer for the for the classroom session. Other participants included two Canadian Food Inspectors and an assortment of experienced livestock haulers.
The goals
• Provide drivers with the tools to do a good job
• Increase the driver’s confidence by providing the knowledge of his rights and responsibilities.
• Promote opportunities for networking and new business.

McDonald began by explaining how a change in mandate in 2005 gave CFIA inspectors more options to deal with untoward situations regarding animal care. The federal government’s law, under the Health of Animals regulations, cannot be super ceded by provincial standards, unless the provincial standards are stricter. Codes of practice for farm animals, while not used in a legal sense, are the accepted standards used in evaluating a case. Today, the CFIA can handle a welfare infraction in several ways - from verbal instruction to the laying of charges.

Professionalism was an interesting, lively discussion topic as all drivers sometimes face problems dealing with producers, enforcement agents and auction mart personnel. The topic of downer stock provoked much discussion and debate.

What I found particularly interesting was learning how to calculate load density and ceiling clearance. Several videos showed handling techniques for horses as well as the food animals. It would be impossible to describe all the topics covered in the manual, which was comprehensive but easy to follow. The course is recommended for all livestock haulers, producers and especially entry-level drivers.

The CFIA inspectors rounded out the impromptu discussions and answered many questions. Because policy does not allow inspectors to make media statements, truckers are encouraged to go to the CFIA web site at www,inspection.gc.ca for more information or in person at the district offices in Brandon, Dauphin, Portage la Prairie, Steinbach and Winnipeg.

I spoke to Gary Rhodes at the course. He trucks livestock and employs eleven drivers. Although he hauls 99% cattle, his outfit has moved horses, bison and elk. Despite having 20 years of experience under his belt, Rhodes and several of his drivers found the course quite informative. He said that once his men have completed CLT certification, he wants them to carry their reference manuals in the semis.

Rhodes reported that before the course began, one of his more mature drivers stated, “I’ll be amazed if I learn anything new today.” As they left the building, Rhodes asked his employee if the day had been worthwhile. The reply was: “I definitely learned some important tricks.” Rhodes plans to have all his operators CLT certified.

- Claire De’Athe is a cattle producer and freelance
writer from Carberry.