One cow had to be put down and a number of others were injured after falling off the back of a stock truck near Palmerston North on Tuesday.
Police said at least three cows came off the truck on State Highway 56 at Tiakitahuna around 11:20am.
The northbound lane was blocked for a short time but has since reopened.
An animal control officer at the scene told Stuff the cows fell from the back of the truck after its back door opened.