With the current feed pressures occurring in many cattle systems in Australia, there is a strong demand to be early weaning beef calves. This serves 3 purposes:

1. Prevents excessive weight loss in cows. Calves should be weaned once cow’s body condition slips below 2.5 
2. Allows the provision of high-quality feed resources to growing stock. Weaners should achieve growth rates around 0.6-0.7kg/hd/d. 
3. Enables planning for replacement heifers to achieve critical mating weights 

Keys to weaning from a nutritional viewpoint:

- Feed the rumen microbes a nutrient dense diet to increase the production of microbial protein and volatile fatty acids – supplements are necessary
- Ensure adequate levels of protein – 16-18%

The following feeds are suitable for yard weaning:

- High quality legume hay combined with oats or milled cereal grain
- High quality silage including ~20% cereal grain plus 10% protein meal

Be careful with:

- High silage diets – they may increase the incidence of respiratory disease, especially if poor quality
- High starch diets (wheat / barley) – these may lead to lactic acidosis or pulpy kidney. These risks can be controlled with buffers or rumen modifiers.
- Weaners require a diet >10MJ ME/kg DM and >16% CP post weaning. If pastures are inadequate, supplement with nutrient dense concentrate.

This year as part of World Antibiotic Awareness Week, the World Organisation for Animal Health has released a set of five “only” rules for the responsible handling of antimicrobials by animal owners:

1. Only use antimicrobials when prescribed by a veterinarian
2. Only when needed: antimicrobials do not cure every infection!
3. Only obtain antimicrobials from authorised sources and retailers
4. Only use the dosage and follow length of treatment and withdrawal period as prescribed
5. Only use antimicrobials when associated with good animal health care Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is something we all need to take responsibility for.

Excessive or inappropriate use has led to the emergence of resistant bacteria which do not respond to antibiotic treatment. This now threatens the ability to treat and control common infectious diseases in many countries. The World Health Organisation has described the emergence of AMR as one of the greatest global health challenges the world has ever faced. The veterinary industry has taken this threat seriously, and as a result, Australian animals have much lower levels of antibiotic resistance compared with animals in other countries.

The veterinary industry is committed to the five ‘only’ rules, to make sure our antibiotics continue to work when we need them.

See Vet Voice for more information.

Known as gelding, this simple operation is the most common elective surgery performed on horses. Gelding a colt involves surgically removing their testicles. Geldings are therefore unable to reproduce and lack high levels of testosterone.

The benefits of gelding your horse include:

- Geldings can be easier to handle, train and ride

- Reduced aggressive behaviour towards humans, and other horses

- Reduced injury risk to the horse

- General ease of management

This operation is usually performed between six months and three years of age. Geldings are often carried out under a short general anaesthetic in the field. The procedure is quick and pain relief is provided. Tetanus protection and antibiotics are given as required. The skin is not usually sutured closed, but left open to drain as the horse moves about. 

Your veterinary surgeon will provide after-care recommendations specific to your horse at the time of operation. Normal management or work can be resumed within a few weeks.

Call us to discuss having one of our skilled vets geld your colt or stallion.