- (a) Dairy cows must have daily access to sufficient and nutritious feed to allow for growth and maintenance of adequate body weight or body condition to score at least a level 2.0 on the body condition scoring method described in R.A. Patton, H.F. Bucholtz, M.K. Schmidt, and F.M. Hall's, Body Condition Scoring - A Management Tool, Department of Animal Science, Michigan State University, September 1988, adopted by reference.
- (b) Replacement dairy heifers must have daily access to sufficient and nutritious feed to allow for growth and maintenance of adequate body weight or body condition to score at least a level 2.0 on the body condition scoring method described in M.A. Wattiaux's Body Condition Scores, Chapter 12 of Dairy Essentials, Babcock Institute for International Dairy Research and Development, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1999, adopted by reference.
- (c) Beef cattle must have daily access to sufficient and nutritious feed to allow for growth and maintenance of adequate body weight or body condition to score at least a level 2.0 on the body condition score method described in M.L. Westendorf and R.C. Mickel's Beef Cow Condition Scoring, Rutgers Cooperative Research & Extension, New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, July 1994, adopted by reference.
- (d) Other cattle and ruminants for which body condition score standards and methods are not published must meet or exceed an appearance comparable to the most appropriate method described in (a) - (c) of this section.
- (e) Cattle and other ruminants must have daily access to water in sufficient quantity and quality to satisfy the animal's physiologic needs as evidenced by the animal's hydration status.
- (f) Cattle being transported may not be held on a transport vehicle for more than 28 consecutive hours.
- (g) Cattle transported for any purpose must be handled and transported in a manner that minimizes injury, illness, and death. They must be able to stand in normal posture within the vehicle and may not be overcrowded so as to cause unnecessary injury or hyperthermia.
- (h) Cattle shall be grouped according to size and behavior when in a vehicle.
- (i) Non-ambulatory disabled cattle and other animals unable to move shall be separated from ambulatory cattle for transport. Those animals may not be dragged while conscious, except if necessary to provide lifesaving treatment.
- (j) Cattle shall be handled humanely at all times, even if they are to be slaughtered or euthanized, so as not to cause unnecessary pain and injury.
- (k) For cattle intended to be raised as veal, the owner shall provide an environment that prevents injury to calves and allows proper ventilation, temperature, and humidity control. The calves shall be permitted to stretch, stand, and lie down comfortably.
- (l) Ruminants not in transit may be tied using neck halters or neck bands in the ruminants' stalls or to stationary objects for up to 12 hours if feed and water are not available, or for longer periods of time if feed and water are offered at reasonable intervals and the ruminants can lie down safely.
(Eff. 3/24/2017, Register 221)
Authority: AS 03.05.011, AS 03.55.110, AS 03.55.130, AS 03.55.100, AS 03.55.120