Stock Journal Technical Column May 2023
Author: Mary Rowe, Zoetis
The basis of any vaccination program is to provide long lasting protection prior to exposure to a disease. Disease challenges can happen throughout the life of an animal. Vaccines rely on the animals own immune system to provide that protection. They do...Read More
Water excesses are probably more on peoples’ minds than deficiencies this spring but now is a good time to consider the property’s long term water requirements and how they can be met in times of drought or “emergencies” such as a truck crashing into a River Murray pipeline, cutting...Read More
FMD represents the greatest disease threat to Australia’s livestock industries and export markets. It has the potential for rapid and extensive spread. An outbreak would stop the export of all cloven- hoofed animals and their products, at least in the short term. It was recently estimated by the Australian Department...Read More
By Michael Wurst, PIRSA
Key points
By Tiffany Bennett, Livestock Consultant
Current seasonal conditions across South Australia have posed challenges in maintaining ewe health and optimising ewe nutrition. The result has been an increase in reports of ewe deaths across the state, particularly during late pregnancy and lambing. In many cases the cause of death is not...Read More
Sheepmeat and beef producers looking to boost carcase compliance and profitability can tap into valuable data and tools available through the online carcase feedback program, Livestock Data Link (LDL).
Managed by Integrity Systems Company (ISC), LDL enables timely sharing of carcase information between processors and their suppliers with the aim of...Read More
Planning for rebuilding your flock numbers, when conditions improve, is important to ensure all options are considered. While buying in sheep is one strategy, the biosecurity risks associated with introducing any stock must be considered.
Changes to the management of Ovine Johne’s Disease (OJD) introduced on 1 July 2019 have seen...Read More
By Tiffany Bennett, Livestock Consultant
It is estimated that there are more than 270,000 stock working dogs across Australia with most being Kelpie and Border Collie or their crosses. Work dogs are recognised as hardworking loyal companions, contributing significantly to agriculture, with a good dog recognised as doing the work of...Read More
By Tiffany Bennett, PIRSA Rural Solutions SA
Whilst some SA producers are experiencing ongoing impacts of the drought, it is still important to consider future recovery strategies, particularly given the likelihood of low available sheep numbers and the potential high cost of restockers.
Retaining older ewes that would normally be culled may...Read More
By Tiffany Bennett, Livestock Consultant
A combination of high fodder prices and limited access to fodder due to seasonal conditions has forced producers to reduce core breeding animal numbers in some parts of the state.
While ongoing drought management is a reality for many producers, high returns from the sheep...Read More
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