Animal Health

Animal Health

Welfare key in rearing calves

THERE IS not much Bernie McManus doesn’t know about rearing calves, after all he has been doing it for most of his life and has got the skill down to a fine art these days. Mr McManus and his wife Carol milk 130 spring calving Jerseys on their...

Dairy News
Animal Health

Farm security preparation

WITH THE intensification of farming and threat of emerging antimicrobial resistance in animals and humans, the demand for more preventative health measures is increasing. This includes proactive planning around biosecurity. Biosecurity is defined as...

Gemma Chuck
Animal Health

Swine fever impact

THE UNPRECEDENTED contraction in the supply of pork from China, due to African swine fever, will have a spill-over impact on the global dairy sector, according to a new report from global agribusiness banking specialist Rabobank. The report, African...

Dairy News
Animal Health

Beware of feed risks

FARMERS WHO are using alternative feed sources as a strategy to manage dry seasonal conditions are urged to be aware of potential risks. Agriculture Victoria animal industries development officer Richard Smith said with the reduction of available...

Dairy News
Animal Health

Is your water just water?

WATER IS a basic resource. On a dairy farm it is used to grow feed, provide drinking water to stock, for washing, cleaning and a myriad of other tasks. And water is just water, right? Well, yes, but no! Water sources are many and varied on farms...

Rod Dyson
Animal Health

Tips to reduce mastitis risk at calving

For most cows, the highest risk period for new mastitis infections will be the calving period — we consider this to be from two weeks before she calves until two weeks after she has calved. During this stressful period, cows’ natural defence...

Rod Dyson
Animal Health

Farm safety: Why take the risk?

Even experienced farmers with good cattle handling skills and facilities cannot completely mitigate the risks associated with working with large animals and heavy-duty equipment. Dairy cattle are semi-domesticated which can sometimes lead to staff...

Gemma Chuck
Animal Health

Proof how critical calf care is

Half of a cow’s lifetime height and growth is achieved in the first six months of its life, according to a visiting American calf-rearing specialist. David Kuehnel was raised on a family farm in Wisconsin, which reared 1200 specially-fed veal...

Dairy News
Animal Health

Raising babies

Animal adviser Bob James provided an animated and colourful lesson in calf rearing for the crowd attending the South Australian Dairy Conference in March. The American scientist encouraged, cajoled and inspired the group to raise healthier calves...

Dairy News
Animal Health

Know your poison

There are more than 1000 plants in Australia that have been recorded as toxic to animals. This article discusses some common plant toxicities that can affect cattle. Nitrate/nitrite High levels of nitrate in plants is toxic to grazing cattle...

Gemma Chuck
Animal Health

Budgets and compromises

Tough conditions in the dairy industry have seen every farm closely scrutinising costs in an effort to allocate available funds to the most cost-effective options in virtually every area of their operation. The cost of treatment at drying-off is one...

Rod Dyson
Animal Health

Questions and compromises

It is now several years since we had been to John’s* farm. Back then he was milking 600 cows in a rotary dairy and had a significant problem with clinical cases of mastitis, mostly caused by Strep uberis. Some key changes to milking setup, dry-off...

Rod Dyson
Animal Health

Time to be vigilant on pinkeye

Pink-eye is a highly contagious, painful and debilitating disease that can severely affect animal productivity. In summer, increased sunlight and dust make the eye more vulnerable to the disease. Long grass and flies help to spread the infection...

Jeff Cave
Animal Health

Disease focus: Rye Grass Staggers

Perennial Rye Grass Staggers (PRGS) is a common condition of cattle, sheep, camelids, and horses in many regions of Australia. It tends to occur in late summer and autumn and is caused by a fungus found within the rye grass plant. Unlike annual...

Gemma Chuck
Animal Health

Managing the risk of mastitis in hot weather

TWO RECENT discussions were a reminder of how hot weather can significantly influence the risk of mastitis in dairy herds. The first was a farm which uses a mechanical teat scrubber as part of the pre-milking routine to clean teats prior to cups on...

Rod Dyson
Animal Health

Shining a spotlight on facial eczema

FACIAL ECZEMA (FE) can significantly affect dairy cattle productivity, health and welfare through animal deaths, reduced weight gain, reduced milk yield and reproductive performance. While FE is mainly seen in east Gippsland, it has also been...

Gemma Chuck
Animal Health

Fonterra to sell NZ livestock division

FONTERRA NEW Zealand has announced it will sell the Farm Source livestock division to Carrfields Livestock — an established livestock agency provider. Fonterra Farm Source stores director Richard Allen, said the decision to sell was made in the...

Dairy News
Animal Health

Keep cows cool this summer

CLIMATE CHANGE is leading to warmer Australian summers with an increased number of hot days and warmer nights. This increases the risk of heat stress, leading to adverse effects on herd health and farm profitability. Effects of heat stress Reduced...

Gemma Chuck

Trending stories

News

Car runs into house in Shepparton

A car has hit a house on the corner of Archer St and Stanley St at about 3.15 this afternoon. The vehicle left the road and travelled through a fence before coming to a hault. Police and CFA are on scene. The Archer St entrance to Stanley St is...

Ashlea Witoslawski
Breaking News

SPC sold for $40 million

Coca-Cola Amatil has announced SPC will be sold for $40 million to Shepparton Partners Collective and its group of companies. Shepparton Partners Collective is a joint venture between Perma Funds Management and private investment firm The Eights...

Alana Christensen
News

Changes to come for parking infringements in Shepparton

The parking inspectors you have come to recognise across town are no more with Greater Shepparton City Council making the decision to outsource the service to a third-party provider.

Ashlea Witoslawski
News

Three more burnt out cars found in Goulburn Valley

Three more cars were found dumped and burnt out in Mooroopna and Kialla at the weekend - adding to the tally of more than 60 cars abandoned in the Shepparton district so far this year. Senior Constable Sarah Trewin said a car was reported dumped and...

John Lewis