IN UDDER WORDS... Calf scours? Take action now
Advice and attention to detail reduce cell count ing lucerne and silage production. year and 109,000 the previous year. Decisions are made depending on seasonal Her involvement in the dairy industry spans more than two decades, despite being just 27 conditions, but the lucerne will last up to ten years. After just four years at the helm of her west- years old. Working alongside her parents on She is also a seasoned competitor and went ern Victorian dairy operation, Jennifer Hand dairy farms at Simpson and Mount Moriac, it has achieved her aim of lowering her annual was 2007 when the opportunity came along to to her first show at just three. At age eleven, she started up her own jersey average bulk milk cell count (BMCC) to less than go it alone with the purstud. chase her 60 hectare Lar100,000. She has pushed her One of her most sucIn doing so, the Larpent farmer is among the pent dairy. cessful show bulls, the She says having parents annual bulk milk cell top 100 dairy farms across the country recognow ten-year-old Glennised in the 2011 Dairy Australia Countdown in the industry is always a count average down to brae-blood `Royal Rum’ big leg up, Milk Quality Awards. remains undefeated in “It’s particularly hard just 96,000 this year. Hand says the key to achieving the result has the jersey show ring. – not impossible – but been twofold. And if milking, preparing show cows and “I know each of my cows individually and I certainly challenging for young people to break know their patterns, so I can detect any irregu- into the industry without that family involve- spending time on her AI work wasn’t enough, she also has a successful beef operation comment, or capital behind you.” larities straight away,” she says. The property will accommodate around 94 prising Red Angus, Black Angus, Poll Hereford “It’s something that can be missed by farm milkers this year after calving, milked by Hand and Miniature Herefords, which are located on workers who do not know the cows so well. or her parents when they visit, in her parent’s adjoining property on the other side “I also send individual cow of the road. the 13-aside dairy. samples to my supplier, WarThe busy, hands-on farmer, who works She has also recently leased rnambool Cheese and Butter, another out-paddock and hopes around the clock seven-days-a-week, has only every second day for testing and to expand the herd to around 130 recently taken a back seat from her industry inkeep detailed records of the recows, “which is still manageable volvement with the Australian Jersey Breeders sults.” Society, of which she was a committee member for me,” she says. Hand says the free service One look at the herd of glossy, for four years. offered by WCB has been “in“It’s hard to get away every month for meetcontented Jersey cows and it is valuable” in early detection and clear that they don’t suffer from a ings when it’s mostly just me on the farm,” she treatment and urges other WCB says. lack of attention and care. dairies to take advantage of the Who: But she has recently employed one other part“Most of my girls wear rugs to service. Jennifer Hand ward off the cold, wet weather time worker to help on weekends with farm Not long after moving to LarWhere: and I still show quite a few when maintenance jobs. pent in the prime Victorian dairy Larpent “It’s been great to have someone else to help time permits. region of Colac, Hand’s cows What: “I feel that it’s really important out with the heavy work but it can be difficult were experiencing problems with Low cell count to give them the right royal sourcing good, reliable labour - especially when mastitis and she sought advice treatment because they do the weekend or out-of-hours’ work is involved,” she from her parents, former dairy farmers, and the local dairy community as well hard work and produce the milk for me,” she says. Hand says the support she has received from says. as her veterinarian and WCB factory field staff. Extensive but cost-effective pasture renova- the local dairy farming community around CoHer bulk milk cell count results speak for themselves and she has since pushed her yearly tion has also been undertaken since Hand pur- lac has been invaluable with neighbours on-call average down to just 96,000 from 106,000 last chased the property, with a focus on strip graz- to help if ever the need arises. Liz Cotton
Coopers® Animal Health has reminded farmers of the need to take quick action at the first sign of calf scours. Technical Services Vet Damian O’Brien said that it is critical for farmers to ensure calves stay well hydrated, as dehydration can kill young calves very quickly. “Scours can be time consuming and costly, with lost future production from either the death of calves or depressed growth rates. Rehydrating immediately with electrolytes can save a young calf,” Dr O’Brien said. “Keeping the calf alive and protecting your future production is the critical first step, but then it’s important to look at the causes of the outbreak, so you can both treat and prevent future outbreaks,” he said. “Proper diagnosis of the cause is the beginning of a plan.” Dr O’Brien said that Coopers can help identify the specific cause of calf scours on your farm. “A Coopers advisor can run a simple calf side test which will diagnose most causes of scours on farm in just 15 minutes, helping farmers to move to prevention programs immediately,” he said. This season, Coopers is encouraging farmers to not only take immediate action when calf scours occurs, but to also move to diagnosis and implementing long term solutions. As well as hydrating sick calves with electrolytes, calf scours management involves: • Reviewing management to ensure newborn calves receive adequate colostrum • Discussing with your vet whether antibiotics are required • Managing ventilation and hygiene in the calf housing area • Vaccination for future prevention where indicated Many producers don’t realise just how much calf scours costs when reduced growth, calf deaths, diagnosis and treatment costs are added up. Coopers investigation found that a typical herd of 200 with an 18% incidence was losing $5200 a year due to calf scours. For immediate action to diagnose the cause of your calf scours outbreak call Coopers on 1800 885 576 or talk to your local vet. ® Registered Trademark