Ohio Admin. Code 901:12-6-02 - Management

(A) The following livestock management procedures are acceptable and, if performed, must be performed in a humane manner:

(1) For all horn removal and disbudding, disbudding prior to eruption is permissible without pain management; for dehorning after eruption, pain management must be used;

(2) The responsible party in determining the method of castration and use of pain management must take into consideration the animal's age and weight, environmental conditions, and facilities available as well as human and animal safety;

(3) Until December 31, 2017, tail docking can be performed using elastrator castration bands in a manner that will result in the least amount of pain, and under the advice and consent of a licensed veterinarian pursuant to rule 4741-1-13 of the Administrative Code and meets the following requirements:

(a) Can be performed no sooner than the first confirmation of pregnancy; or

(b) The animal is in a dairy herd management system that practices tail docking; and,

(c) The responsible party must have a fly control program; and,

(d) Any other method of tail docking must be performed by a licensed veterinarian.

(4)(3) Effective January 1, 2018, tail docking can only be performed:

(a) By or under the direction of a licensed veterinarian; and,

(b) If the procedure is determined to be medically necessary for an individual animal.

(B) All dairy cattle housing must meet the following requirements:

(1) Must provide a clean and safe environment that promotes the health, welfare and performance of dairy cattle at all stages of their lives;

(2) Must provide access to facilities or natural features that provide reasonable protection from adverse weather conditions and predators;

(3) Enclosures, including fencing, must be designed and maintained so as to minimize bruising and injury and provide for the safety of humans and other animals; and,

(4) Light intensity must be adequate for observation during inspection.

(C) Maternity/calf indoor housing must meet the following requirements:

(1) Maternity areas must be clean, dry, well ventilated and the light intensity adequate for observation;

(2) In maternity areas, there must be sufficient space to enable cows to separate themselves from other animals during labor; and,

(3) Calves must be housed in a clean, dry area with space to stand, lie down, turn around and be protected from adverse weather.

(D) Cow/heifer indoor housing must meet the following requirements:

(1) Housing must be designed and maintained in a manner which:

(a) Seeks to minimize the effects of adverse weather; and

(b) Provides ventilation to reduce concentrations of ammonia and dust;

(2) Have a stocking density that allows for dairy cattle of all ages to easily lie down in a normal resting posture and be able to easily stand back up at all stages of production, and in addition all animals must be able to access feed and water without excessive competition;

(3) If free stalls, tie stalls or stanchions are used, they must be designed and maintained so that the length and width provides appropriate space to accommodate the size of the animal's body so that the animal is not forced to lie with her rear quarter contacting the alleyway or gutter;

(4) If free stalls, tie stalls or stanchions are used, they must be cleaned regularly and bedding replenished regularly;

(5) If bedded pack is used, it must be bedded on a regular basis to obtain adequate drainage and moisture control;

(6) Feeding, watering areas and alleys must be cleaned on a regular basis so as to be free of continual standing water and excess manure that may compromise the animal's health and safety;

(7) Alleys must be designed and maintained so as to minimize the potential for injury and bruising;

(8) If tie stalls or stanchions are used, the animals must be provided with the opportunity for exercise, weather permitting; and,

(9) If tie stalls or stanchions are used, the animals must have room to stand, lie down, eat, drink, defecate, and urinate comfortably.

(E) Outdoor housing must meet the following requirements:

(1) Must seek to minimize prolonged exposure to adverse environmental conditions that compromise the animal's health and safety;

(2) If open lots are used, they must be maintained to promote proper drainage away from resting areas and feed and water; and,

(3) During prolonged periods of wetness, the responsible party must ensure that cattle have access to feed and water.

(F) Breeding bull housing must meet the following requirements:

(1) Must allow bulls to easily stand up, lie down, and adopt a normal resting posture;

(2) Must have a resting area that provides comfort, dryness and protection from adverse weather;

(3) Feeding, watering areas and alleys must be cleaned on a regular basis and be free of continual standing water and excess manure that may compromise the animal's health and safety;

(4) Alleys must be designed and maintained so as to minimize the potential for injury and bruising; and,

(5) Enclosures, including fencing, must be designed and maintained so as to provide for the safety of humans and other animals.

Notes

Ohio Admin. Code 901:12-6-02

Effective: 2/13/2025
Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 11/29/2024 and 02/13/2030
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 904.03
Rule Amplifies: 904.03, 904.04
Prior Effective Dates: 09/29/2011, 03/28/2013, 05/20/2021