Farm Animal Articles

Managing Fresh Cows in the Shed

Keep milk from fresh cows out of the vat for eight milkings One of the most important things about milking fresh cows is to ensure that the milk is suitable to go in the vat. There are three threats to …


Milk Fever – Hypocalcaemia

Milk fever is a disorder mainly of dairy cows close to calving. It is a metabolic disease caused by a low blood calcium level (hypocalcaemia). Between 3% and 10% of cows in dairying districts are affected each year, with much …


Strategic Approach to Worms This Summer

With summer’s arrival, now is the time to start thinking about summer drenching of cattle as part of your strategic roundworm control program. In south-eastern Australia Ostertagia ostertagi (small brown stomach worm) is the major cause of production losses from …


Mastitis and Dry Cow Treatment

While Dry Cow Treatment has been discussed and used for many years, it is still a critical part of most mastitis control programs. The two main purposes of Dry Cow Treatment are: To cure mastitis infections that are present at …


Liver Fluke in Cattle

Liver fluke is an internal parasite that can infect and damage the liver and reduce overall productivity of cattle, sheep, horses, pigs, goats, alpacas and deer; humans can also become infected. With up to six million cattle grazing pastures in …


Selenium Deficiency

Original interest in selenium primarily related to its toxicity. However, since 1957, this mineral has been recognised as an essential component in the diet of sheep and cattle. Selenium is essential for the formation of the enzyme, glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) …


Combination Pour-On Drench for Cattle

Over recent years, drench resistance has been a continuously growing problem for sheep farmers, even to the newer ML class of drenches. A key component of current best practice for the management of resistance in sheep is the use of …


Flystrike in Sheep

Heavy rainfall and floods during the warm summer months can increase the risk of flystrike. It is a major sheep welfare problem and sheep owners must actively control flystrike. Fleece rot during a wet summer and after flood Continual wetting …


Clostridial Diseases of Sheep and Cattle

Blackleg, pulpy kidney (enterotoxaemia), black disease, tetanus, malignant oedema and botulism are clostridial diseases that cause death in sheep and cattle throughout Australia.


Raising Poddy Lambs

Raising orphan lambs by hand is often the best option. Though survival will depend on many factors, having the right equipment and environment are essential for success.