W. Va. Code R. § 61-31-14 - Standards of care for dairy cattle

14.1. Facilities shall be free of excessive manure.

14.2. Body scoring shall be determined by using industry standards.

14.2.a. Evaluations shall be made using a scale of 1 - 5.

14.2.b. Any dairy cattle with a score of less than 2 and not under the care of a licensed and accredited veterinarian in West Virginia is in violation of this rule.

14.3. Calves shall be fed milk or milk replacer until they are weaned.

14.4. Concerning dairy cattle, the following are authorized practices:

14.4.a. Tie stalls. Tie stalls may be used if:

14.4.a.1. Cattle are turned out routinely for exercise;

14.4.a.2. The tie stalls are designed and maintained so that their length and width provides space sufficient to accommodate the size of the animal's body so that the animal is not forced to lie with the rear quarter contacting the alleyway or gutter; and

14.4.a.3. Cattle have room to stretch, eat, drink, and eliminate comfortably;

14.4.b. Free stalls. Free stalls may be used if:

14.4.b.1. The free stalls are designed and maintained so that their length and width provide space sufficient to accommodate the size of the animal's body so that the animal is not forced to lie with the rear quarter contacting the alleyway or gutter; and

14.4.b.2. Stocking rates allow for adequate time per animal for rest, exercise and feed and water consumption;

14.4.c. Dehorning;

14.4.d. Debudding;

14.4.e. Tail switch trimming;

14.4.f. Tail docking. Tail docking may be performed using an elastrator castration band if the following requirements are met:

14.4.f.1. It is performed no sooner than the first confirmation of pregnancy;

14.4.f.2. The animal is managed using a dairy herd management system that practices tail docking; and

14.4.f.3. The responsible party provides a fly control program.

14.4.f.4. Only a licensed and accredited veterinarian may perform other methods of tail docking;

14.4.g. Identification;

14.4.h. Tattoo;

14.4.i. Tagging, including

14.4.i.1. Branding; and

14.4.i.2. Ear notching.

14.4.j. Supernumerary teat removal;

14.4.k. Hoof trimming;

14.4.l. Artificial Insemination;

14.4.m. Embryo transfer;

14.4.n. Navel dipping;

14.4.o. Breeding soundness evaluations;

14.4.p. Surgery;

14.4.q. Nose rings; or

14.4.r. Any other widely accepted practices.

Notes

W. Va. Code R. § 61-31-14