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Why Process Matters: Ensuring the Longevity of Exported Livestock

When importing live animals like cattle, goats, alpacas, or sheep, it’s easy to focus on the breed or the price — but real, long-term success depends on something much deeper: the process behind the export.

At Ausidore, we don’t just export animals. We transport them with purpose, preparation, and care because how, and when, livestock are selected, handled, and transported directly impacts their ability to adapt, and thrive in a new environment.

Here’s why that process matters — and what importers should consider to protect their investment.

1. Selection Is More Than a Checklist

Not every healthy animal is export or breeding ready. Selection must consider:

• Climate adaptability (e.g. how sheep or alpacas handle tropical humidity)
• Behavioural traits (particularly for goats and cattle, where temperament matters)
• Genetic resilience and reproductive potential

At Ausidore, our livestock aren’t picked from a catalogue—they’re hand-selected based on the season and climate here in Australia and the importing region’s needs. The wrong match can lead to poor productivity, illness, or even mortality after arrival.

2. Quarantine Isn’t a Hurdle — It’s a Health Foundation

Export quarantine often gets viewed as red tape, but it’s a critical buffer that:

• Ensures vaccinations and treatments are undertaken before animals travel
• Allows socialisation with animals from different farms or breeding groups 
• Reduces stress through handling, feeding and hydration before export

Animals receive thorough vet checks, vaccines, testing and treatment as required during this period. Whether alpacas who are sensitive to parasites and feed change or goats vulnerable to stress, each species gets what it needs to start strong.

3. Travel Readiness Is About More Than a Booking

Just as humans struggle with long-haul flights, animals can experience:

• Stress due to unfamiliar surroundings
• Dehydration and inappetence
• Temperature fluctuations

That’s why Ausidore uses low stress stock handling, proper spacing, and pre-departure checks by accredited vets. Our goal isn’t just to get them to the plane, but to ensure they arrive in shape to keep growing, breeding, and performing long into the future.

4. The Journey Is Not Complete When The Plane Arrives

Too often, importers focus on transport and paperwork and underestimate what needs to happen on arrival.

To ensure the longevity of your livestock:

• 🐑 Have your agent and customs ready with all permits to clear animals as soon as possible on arrival
• 🐄 Prepare clean holding areas with good ventilation, shade, and access to fresh water in clean troughs, and high fibre feed like hay or straw(no concentrate feeds)
• 🐐 Let them rest — they have had a long journey from pre export quarantine to the time they arrive – avoid moving and handling them for at least 24-48 hours after arrival
• 🦙 Have medicines and your vet ready – it is possible animals may have become injured or stressed on the long journey. Ensure you have suitable anti-inflammatory, antibiotic, respiratory and wound vet medicines and equipment on hand to treat any illness before it escalates. You may arrange for your vet to double-check for signs of illness 24-48 hours after arrival.

Animals are most vulnerable in the first 7 – 10 days after their journey. How they’re handled during this window directly affects their health and productivity outcomes.

5. Import Success Is Built on Export Excellence

Cattle, goats, sheep and alpacas aren’t machines — they’re living assets.
Their longevity depends on:

• Smart selection
• Thoughtful handling
• Professional pre-export preparation
• Careful, informed post-arrival treatment

At Ausidore, we take pride in doing all we can before animals leave Australia — but the final steps rest with the importer. When both sides do their part, livestock not only survive the journey — they flourish for years to come.

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Ready to Build a Strong Herd?

Ausidore is here to guide you through every step — from planning and permits to pre-export care and post-arrival advice. Whether you're importing cattle to build your breeding base, or alpacas for a zoo, we'll help you make the right decisions that lead to long-term success.

📞 Contact us: info@ausidore.com
🌐 Visit: www.ausidore.com

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