The CATTLECARE system is an on-farm quality assurance program for producers raising cattle.
CATTLECARE places particular importance on:
- Minimising risk of chemical contamination through the safe, responsible use of chemicals.
- Minimising bruising and hide damage.
- More effective management and herd improvement through better record keeping.
The CATTLECARE program is an LPA Level 2 program and was developed in accordance with ISO 9000 and HACCP principles as the production-based quality assurance program for grassfed beef. The CATTLECARE program is an important initiative in industry self-regulation, to ensure correct practice without government intervention or supervision. Participation in the program is voluntary. Some aspects of CATTLECARE are covered by LPA level 1.
CATTLECARE addresses the following aspects of farm management:
- Chemical residues in soil
The risk of soil on the property being contaminated with persistent chemicals must be assessed and recorded. Contaminated land must be managed to prevent unacceptable residues accumulating in cattle. Feedlot sites are assessed before they are established to ensure they are free of chemical residues.
- Staff training
Employees shall have adequate training to enable them to meet the requirements of CATTLECARE. Records shall be kept.
Employees authorised to use farm chemicals shall attend a recognised farm chemical user's course.
- Stock identification record
Cattle shall be clearly identified from weaning.
Accurate treatment records shall be kept to ensure animals offered for sale are free from chemical contamination.
- Transaction and movement records
Accurate records shall be kept of purchases, sales and movements. They need to be sufficiently detailed to enable reliable traceback. A detailed history of purchased cattle shall be obtained and recorded.
Sale cattle shall be checked to ensure that recently treated animals have passed their withholding period or export slaughter interval(s) prior to slaughter.
- Animal welfare
Management and staff shall be familiar with the Animal Welfare Code of Practice – Cattle.
- Transport
Cattle truck interiors shall be free of obstruction and have non-slip floors. Cattle that are raised under exactly the same conditions shall be penned together, with cattle raised under different conditions penned separately. Multiple decked trailers shall be designed to minimise soiling of cattle on the lower decks.
- Labelling and storage of chemicals
Managers need to ensure that only legally available and properly labelled chemicals are obtained and used. A secure storage area shall be provided.
Accurate records shall be maintained of all chemicals used and where and how they were disposed of.
- The safe use of chemicals
Managers need to ensure that staff read and follow directions for use. Equipment shall be thoroughly cleaned before storage and re-use. Treated cattle shall be identified or segregated and withheld from sale until the withholding period or export slaughter interval has elapsed.
Any adverse reactions shall be recorded and discussed with a veterinarian.
- Treatment records
These shall ensure that treatments of stock are adequately recorded to enable traceback.
Application of chemicals to pastures and crops shall be recorded to ensure that quarantine periods are observed prior to grazing or harvesting.
- Stockfeeds
Care is needed to ensure that purchased stockfeeds do not contain unacceptable chemical contamination.
- Internal check procedures
All operators shall carry out regular checks to verify continuing compliance and take any corrective or preventive action that may be required.
CATTLECARE recognises the fact that many property owners run both sheep and cattle, and is compatible with the Flockcare Code of Practice.