July2015_News from UQ Vets Dayboro
For the love of Bovine – it’s all about cows -part 1
Dayboro Day is done and dusted and we were blessed with wonderful weather this year! Dayboro Day Conversations are proving popular and this year Dr Meghan Scrivens gave an informative and entertaining overview of all things to do with cattle ownership.
For those who missed it we will attempt to give you a condensed version over the next couple of months. This month we’ll cover basic requirements with regards to land, fencing and facilities.
Every property holding livestock is required by law to have a property identification number (PIC). The Moreton Bay Shire website has information on land size and zoning which will determine how many head you are legally permitted to stock on your land. How many cattle you can stock depends on the nature of your block. It is advisable to stock no more than your block can comfortably feed in the driest of times, otherwise you will need to supplement them during those dry winter months which can become costly.
Then we get to fencing:– Fences need to be secure or cattle will find a way to those greener pastures, whether that be your neighbour’s garden or across the road. Stray cattle are often the cause of serious road accidents and neighbourly tensions. There are a number of fencing contractors in our area who can advise you on your requirements.
Once you’ve got the fence organised you will need to think about facilities. YARDS and a CRUSH are ESSENTIAL! You may have a sweet natured, docile cow who enjoys a scratch behind the ear, but when it comes to treating an injury they are not going to stand still and their sheer size and weight can make them dangerous. Having a race incorporated into your set up makes getting them into the crush a whole lot easier and a ramp to load them onto a truck is also a good idea. Shelter is essential for all livestock. If your property does not have adequate vegetation you will need to provide some form of shelter.
Lastly, food and water. One cow can consume 50-90 litres of water per day so you need to ensure you have sufficient water to meet those needs all year round. Ideally any flotation device should be covered as cows like to play, which can result in broken devices, lost water and dehydrated (or worse) cattle. As to feed, a hay rack of some description is very useful as it prevents the hay from being trampled and soiled.
That’s about it for this month. Next month we will look at breeds and their various characteristics. If you would like any further information don’t hesitate to give us a call. We are happy to have a chat and have some handouts which may help. A couple of websites with invaluable information are:- www.daf.qld.gov.au and www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au
Brought to you by the team at UQ Vets Dayboro
UQ Vets Dayboro,
125 McKenzie Street, Dayboro.
Phone 3425 1544 ALL HOURS
