Livestock checklist

Registrations you need first

• A County Parish Holding (CPH) number from the Rural Payments Agency for the land the animals will live on.
• A herd or flock mark from APHA.
• Register as a keeper with APHA. Movements must be recorded and reported, and there are standstill periods after a movement.
• Read the current rules on movement reporting for your species and nation before you buy.

Before you go

• Fencing that will actually hold the species. Sheep and goats will find every weakness.
• Shelter, clean water, and a plan for winter.
• A large-animal vet who will take you on, and a foot-trimming plan.
• Somewhere to isolate new arrivals for at least three weeks.

On the day

• Moving freely, no limping. Check feet.
• Clean rear, no scour.
• Bright eyes, no nasal discharge, breathing quietly.
• Good body condition. Score it by feel over the spine and ribs, not by eye.
• Ask about the health status of the whole herd or flock, not just the animal in front of you: CAE, Johne's, maedi visna, CLA, depending on species.

Paperwork

• Movement documents, holding of origin, individual identification tags matching the paperwork.
• Medicine records, worming and vaccination history.
• TB testing history where it applies.

Walk away if

• The paperwork does not match the tags.
• You are told registration "is not really necessary". It is a legal requirement.