SOUTH Australian cattle farmers are set to be better equipped to deal with diseases thanks to a new guide.
The Cattle Diseases Guide has been developed through the Department of Primary Industries and Regions’ (PIRSA) Red Meat and Wool Growth Program, in collaboration with Animal Health Australia, to help farmers act against common cattle diseases and conditions found of farms across the state.
Animal health officers and vets from the red meat and wool industry have contributed to the guide, offering the most current advice on how to identify signs and symptoms of disease, plus provided recommendations on treatment and prevention options.
“South Australia’s red meat and wool industries generated $3.7b in production and processing revenue in 2021-22,” said Clare Scriven, Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development.
“Tools such as the Cattle and Sheep Diseases Guides help to protect these industries by equipping farmers with valuable knowledge to identify diseases in their livestock to prevent production losses.
“With emergency animal diseases such as foot and mouth disease now established in Indonesia, the Cattle Diseases Guide is a timely and valuable tool for South Australian cattle famers.
“The responsibility to keep South Australia free from emergency animal diseases lies with every one of us but livestock producers play a key role in identifying and preventing the spread of disease and this guide will help equip them with the ability to recognise the difference between common diseases and exotic diseases.”
The quick-reference guide is based on the recently updated Sheep Disease Guide, that was well received following its release in January this year.
Both guides include photos and descriptions of endemic disease and cover exotic diseases most at risk of occurring in SA, including foot and mouth disease and lumpy skin disease.
“This Cattle Disease Guide is adding great value to the series of guides now developed in collaboration with PIRSA, and we are pleased that cattle producers now have access to quick and easy disease information,” said Dr Rob Barwell, Head of Biosecurity, Animal Health Australia.
“It is important that cattle producers are aware of the disease risks not yet in our country, but also aware of the disease risks locally as well. This guide gives a great synopsis of both emergency diseases (those not here) and endemic diseases (those here).”
Additional features of the guide include best practice management guidelines on farm biosecurity, vaccination, traceability, and livestock movement obligations.
Producers can request a copy of the guide from PIRSA or download a digital version online.