302 Ky. Admin. Regs. 21:040

Current through Register Vol. 51, No. 5, November 1, 2024

Section 302 KAR 21:040 - Dairy cattle specific provisions

RELATES TO: 257.196, 525.130

NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 257.196 requires the Board of Agriculture to promulgate administrative regulations establishing on-farm livestock and poultry care standards recommended to it by the Kentucky Livestock Care Standards Commission. This administrative regulation establishes additional livestock standards and specifically authorized practices for dairy cattle.

Section 1. The provisions of 302 KAR 21:020 apply to on-farm livestock and poultry in Kentucky, except as provided by this administrative regulation. This administrative regulation adds additional standards and specifically authorized practices to 302 KAR 21:020 for dairy cattle.

Section 2.

(1) Additional Standards.

(a) If used, facilities shall be free of excessive manure.

(b) Calves shall be fed milk or milk replacer until weaned.

(2) Authorized Practices. The following shall be authorized practices:

(a) Tie stalls. Tie stalls shall be authorized if:

1. Cattle are turned out routinely for exercise;

2. The tie stalls are designed and maintained so that the length and width provides space sufficient 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; and

3. Cattle have room to stretch, eat, drink, and eliminate comfortably;

(b) Free stalls. Free stalls shall be authorized if:

1. The free stalls are designed and maintained so that the length and width provide space sufficient 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; and

2. Stocking rates allow for adequate time per animal for rest, exercise, and feed and water consumption;

(c) Dehorning;

(d) Disbudding;

(e) Tail switch trimming;

(f) Tail docking.

1. Tail docking may be performed using an elastrator castration band if:

a. It is performed no sooner than the first confirmation of pregnancy;

b. The animal is managed using a dairy herd management system that practices tail docking; and

c. The responsible party provides a fly control program.

2. All other methods of tail docking shall be performed only by a licensed veterinarian and shall meet the requirements established in subparagraph 1. of this paragraph;

(g) Castration; and

(h) Removal of supernumerary teats. Removal shall be authorized for young heifers. If extra teats are removed within the first six (6) months of life, they shall be removed with an emascu-latome, a scalpel, or sharp scissors in a hygienic manner. If extra teats on older calves or heifers are removed, the teats shall be removed under local anesthesia by a veterinarian.

302 KAR 21:040

40 Ky.R. 733; eff. 3-7-2014.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 257.196