Parasite management roadshow tours Omeo & Bairnsdale offering key insights on weaner management best practice.
Announcement posted by Virbac Australia Pty Ltd 10 Sep 2019
With weaner parasite control being one of the most crucial management interventions for beef operations, leading animal health company Virbac has partnered with Elders Rural Services to run a week-long educational roadshow through country Victoria and South Australia.
Hosted by Virbac Australia Technical Services Manager Dr Matthew Ball and Elders Livestock Production Manager Rob Inglis, the roadshow kicked off at Omeo and Bairnsdale in Victoria on Monday 9th September.
The roadshows mission has been to highlight strategic parasite management and product usage for optimal cattle production. According to Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), internal parasite infestation is one of the most significant diseases faced by red meat producers in Australia. Calves are highly susceptible to worms, being yet to develop immunity – so burdens will typically be at their peak during this time. As Rob explains, the roadshow is “a great opportunity for cattle producers and veterinarians to improve their knowledge and understanding of best practice weaner management and product usage, to help control these highly damaging parasites.”
The Omeo and Bairnsdale event presentations covered topics including the latest industry research and findings relating to weaner health and wellbeing, along with optimal drenching product strategies and end benefits. Presenting alongside Rob, Dr Matthew Ball revealed some valuable insights, explaining that the way a young heifer is cared for in both parasite control and nutrition will determine fertility during its lifespan. “Young cattle are much more prone to parasites than adult cattle, so we need to focus our best and most persistent drench treatments on these younger animals,” he explained.
“We also need to use drenches at strategic times,” he added, “because that helps to not only remove parasites from the animal, but also reduces contamination from the paddock.”
Attendee Jill Hill from Hinnomunjie, Victoria described the Omeo event as “a great opportunity to have so much knowledge and expertise in the one room all together. I have taken away new practical knowledge to improve our farm’s weaning processes in particular how to use strategic products such as Cydectin Long Acting to improve heifer weight and health for optimal joining outcomes.”
“Ultimately, it’s this type of information that will make a real difference in enhancing the productivity and profitability of a producer’s herd,” concludes Rob. “We’re pleased to be able to contribute our knowledge in this area, to help drive successful weaner management practices for Australia’s cattle producers.”
To find out more about best practice weaner management, please visit au.virbac.com
About the speakers:
Rob Inglis
Rob Inglis is the Livestock Production Manager at Elders Rural Services and has been with Elders for 10 years in Livestock Production. Rob spent 8 years as an Animal Nutritionist with NSW DPI, Charles Sturt University and Livestock Central.
Dr Matthew Ball
Dr Ball has 19 years experience helping cattle farmers in a range of clinical, advisory and research roles. His employment includes jobs in clinical practice, government and industry, and he’s also undertaken postgraduate qualifications in disease surveillance and education. Based on the northern rivers of NSW, Matthew is passionate about helping cattle farmers develop practical and profitable preventative health programs, helping them to understand how medicines work and the scientific differences between animal health products.
Ends
Media Enquiries:
Kate Munsie - C7EVEN COMMUNICATIONS
(02) 6766 4513 / 0421 935 843
kate.munsie@c7even.com.au
Photo captions:
Hosted by Virbac Australia Technical Services Manager Dr Matthew Ball and Elders Livestock Production Manager Rob Inglis, the roadshow kicked off at Omeo and Bairnsdale in Victoria on Monday 9th September.
The roadshows mission has been to highlight strategic parasite management and product usage for optimal cattle production. According to Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA), internal parasite infestation is one of the most significant diseases faced by red meat producers in Australia. Calves are highly susceptible to worms, being yet to develop immunity – so burdens will typically be at their peak during this time. As Rob explains, the roadshow is “a great opportunity for cattle producers and veterinarians to improve their knowledge and understanding of best practice weaner management and product usage, to help control these highly damaging parasites.”
The Omeo and Bairnsdale event presentations covered topics including the latest industry research and findings relating to weaner health and wellbeing, along with optimal drenching product strategies and end benefits. Presenting alongside Rob, Dr Matthew Ball revealed some valuable insights, explaining that the way a young heifer is cared for in both parasite control and nutrition will determine fertility during its lifespan. “Young cattle are much more prone to parasites than adult cattle, so we need to focus our best and most persistent drench treatments on these younger animals,” he explained.
“We also need to use drenches at strategic times,” he added, “because that helps to not only remove parasites from the animal, but also reduces contamination from the paddock.”
Attendee Jill Hill from Hinnomunjie, Victoria described the Omeo event as “a great opportunity to have so much knowledge and expertise in the one room all together. I have taken away new practical knowledge to improve our farm’s weaning processes in particular how to use strategic products such as Cydectin Long Acting to improve heifer weight and health for optimal joining outcomes.”
“Ultimately, it’s this type of information that will make a real difference in enhancing the productivity and profitability of a producer’s herd,” concludes Rob. “We’re pleased to be able to contribute our knowledge in this area, to help drive successful weaner management practices for Australia’s cattle producers.”
To find out more about best practice weaner management, please visit au.virbac.com
About the speakers:
Rob Inglis
Rob Inglis is the Livestock Production Manager at Elders Rural Services and has been with Elders for 10 years in Livestock Production. Rob spent 8 years as an Animal Nutritionist with NSW DPI, Charles Sturt University and Livestock Central.
Dr Matthew Ball
Dr Ball has 19 years experience helping cattle farmers in a range of clinical, advisory and research roles. His employment includes jobs in clinical practice, government and industry, and he’s also undertaken postgraduate qualifications in disease surveillance and education. Based on the northern rivers of NSW, Matthew is passionate about helping cattle farmers develop practical and profitable preventative health programs, helping them to understand how medicines work and the scientific differences between animal health products.
Ends
Media Enquiries:
Kate Munsie - C7EVEN COMMUNICATIONS
(02) 6766 4513 / 0421 935 843
kate.munsie@c7even.com.au
Photo captions:
- Omeo event: Rhys Kennedy from Bairnsdale Elders, Rob Inglis from Elders, Dr Matthew Ball from Virbac, Matthew Grylls from Virbac and Jill Hill from Hinnomunjie.
- Bairnsdale event: Matthew Grylls from Virbac, Rob Inglis from Elder, Rosamarie Stewart from Glenshields Pastoral Company, Debbie Hammond from Mitchell Valley, Rhys Kennedy from Elders, Chris Stewart from Glenshields Pastoral Company, Dr Matthew Ball from Virbac and Brendon Tice and Emi and from Elders.