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confined pen conditions and limitations on number and type of samples that can be collected and stored.
The special conditions operating on export vessels means that development of a dedicated training DVD specifically for necropsy of cattle during export voyages would be the most
effective way to provide suitable information for this industry.
2.4.3 Accredited Stockman Training Course
The current stockman training course is an amalgamation of the original cattle stockman and sheep stockman modules. It is a 5-day fulltime course that covers both the theoretical
aspects of livestock husbandry and practical animal handling. The course focuses primarily on the time aboard the vessel, though it does consider some pre-voyage preparation and
discharge of the ships at their destination.
The course is run by LiveCorp and involves 3 days of class room training in lecture and workshop format, practical cattle and sheep handling 1 day and a test focusing on feed
and water provision. About 10 of training time is devoted to health problems of cattle and sheep, environmental observations and postmortem examinations. A necropsy
demonstration which was part of the initial training courses has been abandoned in recent years because of logistical and ethical issues and replaced by viewing of the necropsy
training DVD described above.
Stockpersons become accredited by attending the training course and participating satisfactorily on two voyages. The courses are held in various locations around Australia
according to demand by exporters. Sometimes veterinarians have attended this training although it is not advertised to veterinarians.
2.4.4 The Stockman’s Handbook Transport of Cattle by Sea
This LiveCorp publication written by Dr Ross Ainsworth, is used as a training manual during the stockman training and as an ongoing practical reference for accredited stockpersons and
veterinarians. It covers all aspects of the live export process that are relevant to stockpersons and devotes relatively large sections to giving good practical information on
common health problems, how to detect them and their predisposing environmental and management factors.
The Stockman’s Handbook Transport of Cattle by Sea can be access on the FAO website.
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2.5 Best Practice Use of Veterinary Drugs Manual
