Livestock Health Advice Straight from the Vet

Finding information on current livestock health issues isn’t always easy.

Now a new series of short videos called Vet Talks covers the basics of livestock health, ready to be watched or listened to whenever you have time.

The series of five-minute videos are produced by Agriculture Victoria District Veterinary Officer Dr. Jeff Cave, who has been working with livestock particularly in North East Victoria, for more than 20 years.

His information is ideal for those starting out in livestock production, or for more experienced farmers facing new challenges or looking for a refresher on regular issues faced on the farm.

The first in the Vet Talks series is on animal health issues in spring.

Dr. Cave says there are several issues farmers need to be aware of in any spring including lambing and calving difficulties, as well as enterotoxaemia or pulpy kidney, and bloat.

“Making informed dietary decisions is important during any season, particularly when you are moving cattle back onto pastures that have been affected by fire or dry seasonal conditions,” Dr. Cave said.

“For instance, you need to be careful when moving livestock on to newly established green pasture as they can gorge on the pasture, causing bloat.”

Dr. Cave also discusses topics that have arisen due to the current seasonal conditions.

“Trace mineral deficiencies may be an issue this spring, more so than other springs,” Dr. Cave said. “This is due to a combination of things It’s partly due to the exceptionally good flush of feed in some areas this autumn, which sets up the deficiencies in lambing ewes.

“It’s also due to the predicted spring conditions, where we are anticipating more good feed growth which will exacerbate the situation.”

The Vet Talks videos are available on Agriculture Victoria’s YouTube channel, and have been designed to be watched or listened to as an audio track.

Click here to watch or listen to the first three Vet Talks.