Bringing Livestock Into Colorado? Here Are 4 Must-Knows

Livestock plays an important role in the United States economy. With millions of people consuming animal products each day, the routine buying and selling of livestock like cattle is necessary to keep up with market demand.

Each state has its own markets for livestock, but importing livestock across state lines is a common occurrence. In particular, the Colorado market for livestock and the number of livestock ranches in the state continue to grow. The purchase and sales of cattle and other livestock make up a significant portion of the state’s economy, making it a billion-dollar industry. Cattle is one of the biggest money makers for this industry.

However, ranchers are not allowed to transport livestock across state lines without adhering to specific rules and regulations. These rules are designed to keep animals safe and healthy and minimize the spread of diseases across breeds.

No matter if you’re bringing cattle into Colorado for exhibition, rodeos or other events, there are certain rules you must follow when bringing them across state lines. Here are four things to keep in mind when planning your trip to Colorado with cattle.

1. You’ll need a CVI

A certificate of veterinary inspection, or a CVI, is an official document issued by the government or an accredited vet. The document states the animals being transported into Colorado have been checked and their health has been certified to meet the requirements of the state.

The health certificate will ensure that all necessary vaccinations and test have been conducted and the animal will not pose a health danger to other animals in the area. CVIs will need to be issued within 30 days of your anticipated arrival in Colorado.

2. All animals will need ID numbers

Each animal over a specific age (for cattle, it’s usually 18 months) will be required to be issued an identification number that specifies its identity. These ID numbers will need to be listed on the CVI.

Additionally, ear tags such as an RFID or NUES tag must be placed on each individual animal to display its 15-digit ID number.

3. Different types of livestock will have specific requirements

When filling out the CVI and obtaining permits for animal transport into Colorado, make sure you specify the type of livestock you’re transporting and its intended use. For example, different types of cattle have different requirements. Breeding heifers and bulls have separate testing restrictions, while dairy cows will need to undergo additional testing that feeder/slaughter cattle do not.

4. The right equipment makes all the difference

During all of the testing and permitting that is necessary prior to transporting livestock across state lines, you’ll need to verify information about your livestock and assess its health. To provide accurate information to obtain health certificates, you’ll want to use accurate and reliable measuring equipment like livestock scales in Montana.

Livestock scales, both permanent and portable, can help ensure the health of your cattle or other livestock by monitoring its weight and determining whether the livestock is in the appropriate weight range for its intended purpose, such as breeding.

If you are planning on transporting livestock to Colorado in the future, make sure you are prepared with the best quality equipment to monitor your livestock. Rockwell Scales is a premier full-service provider of livestock scales in Montana. If one of our existing American-made models doesn’t fit your needs, we can custom-build a system that will. We also provide repairs and maintenance and carry an array of accessories to make your scale function most effectively. Call us today for a free quote!

Categorised in: Livestock Scales

This post was written by Writer