Cattle Management for New Farmers
Note Number: AG0471
Date Published: February, 1999
This Agriculture Note is a brief “when to do what” guide for cattle in Victoria. It highlights each of the common events or procedures in the cattle herd year.
Aim for success
Ownership of cattle can be profitable, enjoyable and very satisfying. Whether an interest, hobby or enterprise the keys to success with cattle are:
- Planning
- Preparation
- Regular Inspection
- Action
The following topics will be addressed:
- Management
- Breeding
- Disease Control and Prevention
- Help Sources
- Selling
- Buying
Management
Feeding
When pasture is short or of low quality (dry) regularly assess condition of cattle and supplement pasture as necessary to maintain desired weight or condition (Condition Score 2-4) and support growth, pregnancy and lactation. Hand feeding is often needed during autumn and winter depending on seasonal conditions and during late pregnancy and lactation.
Stocking Rate
Estimate the carrying capacity of paddocks for each season. Adjust stock numbers to match and prepare to purchase fodder supplements (hay/grain) for periods of pasture shortfall, usually late summer and winter.
Water
Ensure safe water is always available.
Culling
Annually at weaning, cull out cattle that are unfit or too old to survive and be productive. Cull cows which do not conceive on time.
Breeding
Joining (mating)
- Average pregnancy 282 days.
- Join in June-July for Autumn calving.
- Join in December for September calving.
- Leave bull in for 6 to 9 weeks or hand mate.
Pregnancy
- Vet can pregnancy test after 6 weeks.
- Mid pregnancy maintain moderate condition.
- In last 2 months ensure good nutrition.
Calving
- Inspect twice daily and assist if needed.
- Call a Vet if calf not delivered with in 2 hours of commencement or if difficulties arise.
- Have 3 in 1(calcium, magnesium and dextrose) milk fever treatment on hand and inject if symptoms appear.
- Provide a paddock close to cattle yards.
Marking
- When calving is completed or any time from one day to 3 months old.
- Castrate males with ring or knife if not for future breeding.
- Ear tag or ear mark.
- Vaccinate with 5 in 1 and again in 6 weeks.
Weaning
- When calves are ready for sale or about 8 weeks before next calving.
Disease control & prevention Vaccination
- (5 in 1) Clostridial vaccine. Vaccine and vaccinator from rural supplier.
- Adults annually.
- Calves at marking and again in 4 - 6 weeks, then annually.
Worms
All cattle
- Treat in February with a white (benzimidazole) or ivermectin product.
- If indicated by diarrhoea, wasting and high worm egg count.
Bulls - before joining.
Calves - at 4 months and weaning.
Weaners and Young Cattle - at weaning and in May, August and November.
With the exception of February any broad-spectrum product may be used. Oral, injectable and pour-on products.
Fluke
- Only in Liver Fluke areas; ie. where swamps, springs or irrigation exist.
- April and August.
- Use product effective against mature and immature fluke, check label for compatibility with other treatments.
Lice
- De-lousing is not essential.
- August and February.
- Pour-on, spray or injection.
Grass Tetany
- May occur in cows with calves at foot, May to September. Avoid stress and grass dominant pasture, feed clover hay, and provide magnesium supplement to at risk herds.
- Magnesium supplements
- "Causmag" powder applied to hay every second day. A large capsule placed in the rumen or grass tetany blocks.
Bloat
- When grazing lush clover or lucerne.
- Strip graze or use preventative treatment.
- Supervise closely and treat early if affected.
Pink Eye
- Eye infection, opaque, red, blind.
- Treat with patches, Vet or spray/ointments.
Other Diseases
- Vaccinate as recommended if a disease risk exists eg Leptospirosis, calf scours.
- Prevent or diagnose and treat other diseases. Use registered treatments or seek professional advice, eg. Pink Eye, cancer, diarrhoea (scours).
Health and Welfare
All animals require:
- A safe environment.
- Nutrition to sustain life, growth, production and reproduction.
- Regular and thorough inspections.
- Prompt treatment of sickness and injury or humane destruction.
- Professional advice and treatment in outbreaks of disease or deaths.
- Reporting of Notifiable Diseases
Selling
Options
Direct to abattoir at $ per kg dressed.
In the paddock to butcher or farmer.
Saleyard auction, must use an agent, $ per kg live weight or $ per head.
CALM sold by description.
Property Identification Tags
The law requires that all cattle must have an approved tag, which identifies the property of origin, attached before they leave the property for sale or slaughter.
Tags are obtained from the Department of Primary Industries.
Hormonal Growth Promotant (HGP) Free tags are also available on application and declaration.
National Vendor Declaration (NVD)
It is advisable to complete a NVD prior to sale.
NVD declares to the purchaser any chemicals to which the cattle have been exposed or treated.
Buying
Options
Saleyard auction
In the paddock from a farmer
Agent to source and purchase
CALM by description
Vendor Declarations
Many cattle are now sold with chemical and disease status declarations for the cattle and property of origin, choosing cattle with these declarations will reduce the risk of introducing disease or chemical contaminated cattle. Examples are:
- National Vendor Declaration (NVD) chemicals
- Johne’s Disease Declaration (JD)
- Enzootic Bovine Leucosis (EBL) - mostly dairy cattle
HGP Free
If you wish to purchase cattle which have never been treated with Hormonal Growth Promotants (HGP) then only purchase cattle with pink tags bearing the words ‘HGP FREE’. The agent will endorse your invoice ‘HGP FREE’ and the tag number of the vendor. For private purchases ask the vendor to sign a ‘One-off Declaration that stock have never been treated with HGP’ (available from DPI offices).
Check
- All the mob meet your requirements
- They are healthy and injury free
- Pregnant or not, joining dates suit
- Age, confirmation, condition
- HGP status (see above)
- Vendor Declarations available and okay.
Further reading
Running a small beef herd - Agmedia
Beef Manager - Agmedia
Organisations & contacts
DPI advisors
Veterinarian
Consultant
Contractors
Stock Agent
Farmers
Victorian Farmers Federation
Farming courses
Agricultural Colleges
TAFE
Author: David Hinton, Kyneton
The advice provided in this publication is intended as a source of information only. Always read the label before using any of the products mentioned. The State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.
