Ohio Administrative Code
Title 901:12 - Ohio Livestock Care Standards Board
Chapter 901:12-6 - Dairy Cattle
Section 901:12-6-02 - Management
Universal Citation: OH Admin Code 901:12-6-02
Current through all regulations passed and filed through September 16, 2024
(A) The following livestock management procedures are acceptable and, if performed, must be performed in a humane manner:
(1) For horn removal, disbudding prior to eruption is
permissible without pain management; for dehorning after eruption, pain
management must be used;
(2) The responsible party in determining the method of
castration and use of pain management must take into consideration the animal's
age and weight, environmental conditions, and facilities available as well as
human and animal safety;
(3) Until December 31, 2017, tail docking can be performed
using elastrator castration bands in a manner that will result in the least
amount of pain, and under the advice and consent of a licensed veterinarian
pursuant to rule 4741-1-13 of the Administrative Code and meets the following requirements:
(a) Can be performed no sooner than the first confirmation of
pregnancy; or
(b) The animal is in a dairy herd management system that
practices tail docking; and,
(c) The responsible party must have a fly control program;
and,
(d) Any other method of tail docking must be performed by a
licensed veterinarian.
(4) Effective January 1, 2018, tail docking can only be
performed:
(a) By a licensed veterinarian; and,
(b) If the procedure is determined to be medically
necessary.
(B) All dairy cattle housing must meet the following requirements:
(1) Must provide a clean and safe environment that promotes the
health, welfare and performance of dairy cattle at all stages of their
lives;
(2) Must provide access to facilities or natural features that
provide reasonable protection from adverse weather conditions and
predators;
(3) Enclosures, including fencing, must be designed and
maintained so as to minimize bruising and injury and provide for the safety of
humans and other animals; and,
(4) Light intensity must be adequate for observation during
inspection.
(C) Maternity/calf indoor housing must meet the following requirements:
(1) Maternity areas must be clean, dry, well ventilated and the
light intensity adequate for observation;
(2) In maternity areas, there must be sufficient space to
enable cows to separate themselves from other animals during labor; and,
(3) Calves must be housed in a clean, dry area with space to
stand, lie down, turn around and be protected from adverse weather.
(D) Cow/heifer indoor housing must meet the following requirements:
(1) Housing must be designed and maintained in a manner
which:
(a) Seeks to minimize the effects of adverse weather;
and
(b) Provides ventilation to reduce concentrations of ammonia
and dust;
(2) Have a stocking density that allows for dairy cattle of all
ages to easily lie down in a normal resting posture and be able to easily stand
back up at all stages of production, and in addition all animals must be able
to access feed and water without excessive competition;
(3) If free stalls, tie stalls or stanchions are used, they
must be designed and maintained so that the length and width provides
appropriate space to accommodate the size of the animal's body so that the
animal is not forced to lie with her rear quarter contacting the alleyway or
gutter;
(4) If free stalls, tie stalls or stanchions are used, they
must be cleaned regularly and bedding replenished regularly;
(5) If bedded pack is used, it must be bedded
on a
regular basis to obtain adequate drainage and moisture control;
(6) Feeding, watering areas and alleys must be cleaned on a
regular basis so as to be free of continual standing water and excess manure
that may compromise the animal's health and safety;
(7) Alleys must be designed and maintained so as to minimize
the potential for injury and bruising;
(8) If tie stalls or stanchions are used, the animals must be
provided with the opportunity for exercise, weather permitting; and,
(9) If tie stalls or stanchions are used, the animals must have
room to stand, lie down, eat, drink, defecate, and urinate comfortably.
(E) Outdoor housing must meet the following requirements:
(1) Must seek to minimize prolonged exposure to adverse
environmental conditions that compromise the animal's health and safety;
(2) If open lots are used, they must be maintained to promote
proper drainage away from resting areas and feed and water; and,
(3) During prolonged periods of wetness, the responsible party
must ensure that cattle have access to feed and water.
(F) Breeding bull housing must meet the following requirements:
(1) Must allow bulls to easily stand up, lie down, and adopt a
normal resting posture;
(2) Must have a resting area that provides comfort, dryness and
protection from adverse weather;
(3) Feeding, watering areas and alleys must be cleaned on a
regular basis and be free of continual standing water and excess manure that
may compromise the animal's health and safety;
(4) Alleys must be designed and maintained so as to minimize
the potential for injury and bruising; and,
(5) Enclosures, including fencing, must be designed and
maintained so as to provide for the safety of humans and other animals.
Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Ohio may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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