Amongst both sheep and cattle, there had previously been outbreaks of rotavirus. This is a virus that results in diarrhoea and intestinal issues, which can cause fatalities in young calves and lambs. This outbreak occurred because the enterprise previously had not vaccinated against rotavirus (the owners of the farm tend to limit their use of vaccines on the livestock). However, after this outbreak, stock units with the virus were culled and the enterprise now regularly vaccinates against it (via intramuscular administration) to prevent future outbreaks. The local large animal veterinarian practice releases regular newsletters with advice about common animal health problems that arise in a given season, and include reminders for appropriate
…show more content…
This is done by skinning the dead calf and putting the skin over the new calf so it smells like the deceased calf, allowing it to be accepted by its new mother. The cow and calf are separated from the other cows to a paddock where they are not rotated as often to minimise stress and allow for frequent supervision. The calf is regularly injected with antibiotics and the skin is left on it for several days until it is determined that its new mother has accepted the calf and is capable of rearing it. This procedure aids both the calves of the multiple bearing cow and the mother of the dead calf as the multiple bearing cow may devote more resources to one calf and the second mother is allowed the opportunity to rear a calf, though this cow will be a future cull cow.
Shearing is carried out in February and August, whilst crutching occurs more regularly to prevent flystrike. During shearing, stock are mustered and drafted into pens, where they may then be sheared. It is believed that shearing pregnant ewes prior to lambing reduces complications. Shearing results in approximately 4kg of wool being yielded per unit of stock. Crutching is often carried out before units being sent to the abattoir, and is carried out at the same time as they are being weighed in a crush (which is operated by a
This is done by skinning the dead calf and putting the skin over the new calf so it smells like the deceased calf, allowing it to be accepted by its new mother. The cow and calf are separated from the other cows to a paddock where they are not rotated as often to minimise stress and allow for frequent supervision. The calf is regularly injected with antibiotics and the skin is left on it for several days until it is determined that its new mother has accepted the calf and is capable of rearing it. This procedure aids both the calves of the multiple bearing cow and the mother of the dead calf as the multiple bearing cow may devote more resources to one calf and the second mother is allowed the opportunity to rear a calf, though this cow will be a future cull cow.
Shearing is carried out in February and August, whilst crutching occurs more regularly to prevent flystrike. During shearing, stock are mustered and drafted into pens, where they may then be sheared. It is believed that shearing pregnant ewes prior to lambing reduces complications. Shearing results in approximately 4kg of wool being yielded per unit of stock. Crutching is often carried out before units being sent to the abattoir, and is carried out at the same time as they are being weighed in a crush (which is operated by a