With calving season coming to an end, many farmers will soon be sending their calves off to grazing. However, this does not mark the end of your responsibility for their welfare. As the owner, you remain fully accountable for the care of your animals, even while they are under the grazier’s supervision. While day-to-day care may be delegated, it’s crucial to carry out regular checks to ensure your animals are receiving proper attention. Relying solely on weight records or reports isn’t enough. We recommend attending weigh-ins or arranging for a local vet to perform Body Condition Scoring (BCS) to ensure adequate oversight. The cost of these measures is a valuable investment in correctly raised cattle.

Equally important is ensuring that your grazing contract clearly defines each party’s responsibilities and that these align with the Animal Welfare Act and relevant Codes of Welfare. If you’re unsure whether your contract offers sufficient protection, our farming team at Edmonds Judd can review or draft a contract that ensures compliance with your legal obligations.

If you’d like to discuss your responsibilities or receive a copy of the applicable Code of Welfare to go over with your grazier, contact our team.