IN TRYING to protect his cattle as well as motorists, dairy farmer Phil Christensen has hit a blockade after the Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) ordered him to remove warning signs on Freestone Rd.

Two yellow signs near the corner of Freestone Rd and Freestone Creek Rd are used to warn motorists of cattle crossing in the area.

There are three dairy farmers with property in the area who can move up to 100 head of cattle per crossing.

Mr Christensen's signs say "give way to stock" and he's afraid if motorists aren't told to give the beasts the right of way, they will hit the cows.

"I've been told I have to apply for a sign and am only allowed to display it when I'm crossing cattle," he told the Daily News.

"I think we need to have signs there all the time as this is a farming area. Main Roads said I could have a sign with a cow and a sheep on it, which would say livestock ahead, but that's not enough to stop them going through."

Mr Christensen said through traffic from Brisbane was increasing on Freestone Rd and they had seen two dogs in 12 months hit by cars.

His daughter Nicole was riding beside the road when she saw one dog struck.

"The driver didn't even stop," she said.

"I have horses and I'm scared they will spook with the speed the traffic goes at."

The Christensens have asked for the stretch of road, which leads to the school and Freestone Hall, to have its speed limit lowered to 80kmh, but that was refused.

"People driving have to understand animals should have the same rights as humans," Mr Christensen said.

"This is a farming area, so there are cattle."

He said while crossing his cattle he'd experienced some hostility from motorists.

"I just think, if you don't have the patience to wait, take the highway," he said.

A DTMR spokeswoman said a road corridor permit was needed to legally move stock across a state controlled road.

"Transport and Main Roads have stock crossing signage guidelines in place to ensure consistent signage across state-controlled roads for the safe and efficient operation of the road network," she said.

"Proper temporary warning signs should be displayed only immediately before or during stock movements. It must be removed, covered or hinged when complete."

She said the stock signage currently in use on Freestone Rd didn't comply with the department's policy.

"We're happy to work with the farmer to ensure safe signs that catch motorists' attention are put in place," she said.