Animal Health

On-farm milk culturing a growing

MOST MASTITIS is caused by a bacterial infection. However, visual inspection of the milk is not a reliable method for determining which pathogen you might be dealing with. Traditionally, milk samples from infected quarters or a composite sample from...

Dairy News

Do not forget your dry cows during heat stress

ALTHOUGH DAIRY producers are paying more attention to their milking cows during heat stress, many times they will not be aware of how heat stress during the dry cow period has a huge negative impact on the cow and her offspring. This implies...

Dairy News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Farm biosecurity 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

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

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

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

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

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