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Animal Health

Calf in a calf rearing paddock

Animal Health affects both the wellbeing of cattle and the profitability of dairy farms. Dairy Australia has programs that address a number of animal health issues. The following information focuses on lameness, as well as two diseases of current importance to the dairy industry – Bovine Johnes Disease and Enzootic Bovine Leucosis (EBL).

Heat stress

Heat stress is a serious issue for herd managers in all dairying regions of Australia. Learn how to minimise heat stress for cows on your farm.

Mastitis

Mastitis is a painful infection of the udder, it’s often triggered by wet, muddy conditions – more mud means more dirt on the udder, and a higher risk of infection. This can impact on farm profitability, product quality and yield.

Farmers can dramatically reduce the likelihood of infection by implementing these management strategies for dealing with mastitis in wet conditions.

Lameness

Lameness is a health and welfare issue that needs to be actively managed to minimise its impact on the herd. A range of resources and training programs are available.  Please contact your local Regional Development Program for more information.

Bovine Johnes Disease

Australia’s cattle industries and governments are working towards a national, less-regulated approach to managing Bovine Johne’s Disease (BJD). 

Enzootic Bovine Leucosis (EBL) 

The success of the control program for EBL implemented in the mid 1990s has restricted this viral disease to just a small number of dairy herds. Eradication is now in sight, which will keep Australia competitive with other major exporting countries that have EBL free status.

Options for non-replacement calves

A recent drop in the international price of leather has seen calf buyers and knackeries reduce their payments to dairy farmers for calves and the removal of sick, injured or surplus stock and, in some cases, to levy a charge for their service. For some farms, using a knackery to dispose of non-replacement calves may not be viable in the short to medium term.

More about options for non-replacement calves