Animal Health

Animal Health

Look out for cancer eye

The most common type of tumour or “cancer eye” in cattle is squamous cell carcinoma. Cancer eye is an invasive and rapidly spreading tumour and is economically important, representing 58 per cent of all cancers that result in condemnation of...

Dairy News
Animal Health

Heat strategies for summer

With the prospects of another long hot summer in front of us, what can you do to minimise the impacts on your cows? Heat stress can have a very significant impact on your dairy cows, and ultimately your farm income. Heat stress can: Reduce milk...

Dairy News
Animal Health

Nutrition counters stress

Every Australian dairy farmer knows the impact heat stress can have on their herd. New research has found feeding protected B vitamins can help improve reproduction and achieve higher milk production. Jefo Nutrition’s Hélène Leclerc said dairy...

Dairy News
Animal Health

Know your fodder: feed testing facts

THIS SEASON there is the potential for a fodder supply shortage across Australia’s dairy regions. In times of low pasture supply, it is essential to carefully plan what the likely feed requirements will be for your herd and actively manage the...

Dairy News
Animal Health

Nutrition will aid heifer growth

WELL-GROWN HEIFERS are more likely to reach their full potential for milk production and recover their rearing costs earlier, therefore it is key to have a management plan for your heifers and not neglect them. The critical times for feeding young...

Dairy News
Animal Health

The rise and fall of antibiotics

PERHAPS ONE of the greatest medical breakthroughs of our age was the discovery of penicillin by Alexander Flemming in 1928. New antibiotics were rapidly discovered which revolutionised the means by which infectious diseases were treated. Common...

Gemma Chuck
Animal Health

Preventing lameness in your herd

LAMENESS IN cattle can occur at any time of the year but extremely wet conditions are associated with higher rates of lameness in dairy cows. This is because prolonged exposure to moisture causes the hoof to soften and increases the risk of...

Gemma Chuck
Animal Health

Trace minerals issue universal

A TECHNICAL services veterinarian from the United States visited Numurkah last month to speak about cattle multi-mineral injection Multimin. Dan Tracy addressed a small group of farmers at MG Trading on June 18, and spoke about the research on the...

Dairy News
Animal Health

Farm activist inquiry

FARMERS ARE being urged to prepare submissions for a Victorian parliamentary inquiry which will look into how to protect farms from invading animal activists. The inquiry follows a series of farm invasions around Australia, and a public...

Dairy News
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

Trending stories

News

Your guide to the region’s Christmas lights

Christmas has well and truly come to Shepparton, with homes across the region lighting up. They’re bright, and cheery, and very, very Christmassy. Don’t miss any Christmas lights with our map!

Shepparton News
News

23 with three months to live

“The year looked so promising for me.“ This is how Johnathon Bentancourt saw his future before doctors told him he had just a few months left to live.

Morgan Dyer
News

Hume Freeway closed, near Wangaratta

The Hume Freeway is closed towards Melbourne, just outside of Wangaratta, due to a truck rollover. Emergency services are on site. Motorists are advised to detour at the Great Alpine road exit to get back on to the Hume Freeway. Northbound lanes...

Simon Ruppert
Education

Builder announced for Greater Shepparton Secondary College

Construction on the new Greater Shepparton Secondary College is set to commence next month with a builder now appointed to the job.

Liz Mellino