The Importance of calcium for the breeding cow There have been a number of reports this season of breeders in good condition, experiencing calving losses. In most cases, these animals are up to date with vaccinations and veterinary investigation has ruled out any underlying diseases. In...
Interesting Facts Calcium is a necessary component of all living things and is also abundant in non-living things, particularly those that help support life, such as soil and water (Pedersen, 2020). Calcium was first isolated by Sir Humphry Davy in 1808 in London and the name...
Introduction Vitamins are nutrients that animals require in very small quantities for normal growth and maintenance of life, and the requirements for each differ considerably. Vitamins are involved in metabolic processes as co-factors in energy, protein and fat utilisation as antioxidants, assisting in the uptake of...
Interesting Facts Phosphorus (P) was discovered in 1669 by Hennig Brand when he extracted it from buckets of urine and because the substance glowed in the dark, he initially called it “cold fire”. Due to its reactive nature, and its use in poisons and nerve agents,...
When horses bolt down concentrate feeds they are not chewing as thoroughly as what they do hay or grass, and this decreases saliva production and if feed is not moistened thoroughly, they may be at risk of choke. Here are a few things to try to...
Be Ready for the Heat! We are coming into Summer and it’s that time of year where we start cranking up those air conditioners. Like us, animals also suffer from the effects of heat and now is the time to start preparing or thinking about how...
What is Sulphur? Sulphur (S) comes from the Latin word sulphurium, meaning ‘burning stone’ or, as it is colloquially termed throughout history, ‘brimstone’. Sulphur is a chemical element found near hot springs or in large quantities of rock located in various volcanic regions all over the...
Sorghum is an important forage crop for livestock production in Australia as frequent drought and high summer temperatures reduce forage production from pasture. According to Pioneer Seeds (2020), planting a forage sorghum crop can have a number of advantages for graziers as the fodder crops...
Shannon Godwin BAppSc GDTL AgSolutions Technical Advisor Horses require a balanced a diet to achieve optimal health, but knowing how to provide your horse with the perfect blend of energy, protein, fat, minerals, vitamins and fibre in their diet can be difficult to discern as numerous factors influence...
According to the Merck Veterinary Manual (2005) the definition of Bloat is an over-distention of the rumeno-reticulum with the gases of fermentation, either in the form of a persistent foam mixed with the ruminal contents, called primary or frothy bloat or in the form of...
Keep a close eye on the changing season! Winter is upon us. Pastures are haying-off and nutrient quality generally decreases as a result. During this change of season, producers should monitor the manure of their livestock to assist with identifying a reduction in feed quality. When...
Helping Horses with Skin/Coat Conditions By Shannon Godwin BAppSc GDTL Everyone wants to have a horse with a beautiful, sleek and shiny coat that reflects health and vitality. Unfortunately, there are a significant number of horses that suffer from Sweet Itch (Queensland Itch) and other skin issues...
