Perhaps the local Ag college who took our highschool ag students on a field day and discussed the shipping of "heavy bred cattle" was "rooted in some very bad experiences and/or misinformation"?
Perhaps…bad experiences but not misinformation given the fact one of these "incidents" was physically witnessed that day and brought the "heavy bred cattle" in the chain to light and made all the producers and students take note. Again "heavy bred cattle" was mentioned during the humane loading/transport segment and perhaps knowing what we all witnessed in our "back door tour" that day the trucker drummed the point home with his 50 years of experience.
"Heavy bred cattle" also came up in the feedlot/finishing conversation with the veterinarian that afternoon. And in Animal health and welfare as it relates to "heavy bred cattle"and their special considerations at their most vulnerable time in life!
Happily, I agree it is not the norm but this was a thread that opened the door to the discussion. I assume, by asking, libertygarden is intent on doing the right thing. My opinion highlighted the dark side of "unload". The responsibility of "unload". That field day shed a whole light on responsibility at every level of the chain on every person there. If this scenario was the norm Brute23 every female would be ultrasounded…they are not for economic reasons and frankly that is not fool proof. Also the assumption/trust that producers at each level are doing our best to keep "heavy breds" out of the chain still holds like a promise.
But there are ones that are missed accidentally, inadvertently or sadly on purpose! And this is a side/opinion of the discussion that is unpleasant. Being a"beginners board" conversation I felt sharing our"beginner lesson" that day important…it left a lasting impression on the experienced, the learning and shed light on perspectives seldom shared because it is so dark, negative, sad and unfortunate. And thankfully rare but it only takes one bad decision to upset the cart!
Do right by your females! If these girls should have calved roughly 4 months ago the owner previous to libertygarden failed…Just saying…had they been more transparent or due diligent perhaps libertygarden wouldn't be in this mess/conundrum today.
Just an opinion and food for thought…