Port of Olympia set to ship dairy cows to Vietnam next month

The Port of Olympia is set to ship 1,400 head of dairy cattle to Vietnam in late November aboard the M/V Falconia, a ship that specializes in transporting livestock.

Vietnam needs the cows as part of a country goal to reduce childhood malnourishment by providing one glass of milk per child per day, according to the port.

Before the cows are shipped, they will spend 28 days in quarantine at a U.S. Department of Agriculture-approved farm where veterinarians will monitor the animals. After the quarantine period, the cows will be moved to the port and loaded onto the ship.

Loading is expected to take two days. The cattle will board on a special platform and gangway that keeps their hooves from touching the dock, according to the port.

Once loaded, the voyage is expected to take two weeks. A veterinarian will travel with the livestock.

“The USDA has vetted all parts of this supply chain to ensure the most humane handling of the animals, and the port has taken the appropriate measures to alleviate environmental concerns,” the port said in a news release.

This story was originally published October 25, 2015 at 11:14 AM with the headline "Port of Olympia set to ship dairy cows to Vietnam next month."