Current law, last addressed in 1979, restricts the amount of insurance cover payable by the carrier to $1500 per unit.

But spiralling prices have sent dairy cow values way beyond that and farmers may be unwittingly moving stock without adequate cover. Farmers often take out their own extra cover on pedigree stock, but animals largely travel under the indemnity of the transport companies.

Transport Association area manager Tom Cloke says farmers need to be aware.

"A farmer could be transporting $120,000 of stock, and only get half of that if they all died," he said.

"We are advising people to be aware. It is owners' risk.

"If animals are $2500 and something goes wrong, they could be out of pocket by thousands of dollars."

Farmers will need to get additional insurance themselves if they want adequate cover.

Source: Tarankai Daily News