Animal care
Every animal owned by Greswick Angus is individually identified and managed for maximum health. Detailed records on every animal are maintained in Practical Systems herd management software Stockbook.
Greswick Angus abides by best practice stock handling procedures in the regular handling and inspection of the herd. A lot of emphasis is placed on temperament, so cattle are accustomed to being mustered on quad bike and foot and are not stressed with overzealous dogs. Most paddocks are electrified so animals learn at an early age to respect fences.
Regular health treatments are carried out on all animals within the herd. These treatments will vary according to mob, property location and seasonal variations throughout the year.
Generally animal treatments follow a treatment calendar described below.
Stud breeders
- 7in1 vaccination (annual booster prior to calving)
- Pestivirus vaccination (annual)
- Drench for internal parasites (seasonal variation)
- Copper and Selenium supplementation (annual)
- Vitamin ADE, B12 (prior to joining)
- DNA analysis from selected pedigrees to ascertain status of recessive genetic disorders
- Mature age weights recorded at calf weaning
- 5in1 vaccination (annual booster prior to calving)
- Drench for internal parasites (seasonal variation)
- Lice treatment (winter)
Calf drop from stud breeders
- Weighed at birth
- NLIS tagged and management tag applied at birth
- 7in1 vaccination
- Drench for internal parasites (at weaning)
- 200, 400, 600 day weight records
- freeze branded for permanent animal identification
Calf drop from commercial breeders
- 5in1 vaccination
- Marked at approximately 6 weeks of age
- Drench at weaning
Bulls
- 7in1 vaccination (annual)
- Vibriosis vaccination (annual)
- Bovine Ephemeral Fever, 3-day sickness (annual)
- Pink eye vaccination (annual)
- Drench for internal parasites (autumn & spring)
- Ear notch samples collected and analysed for Bovine Viral Diahorrea (BVDV - Pestivirus)
- BVDV vaccination (prior to sale)
- Scrotal measurements
- DNA analysis to ascertain status of recessive genetic disorders
- Hair samples collected for DNA typing of parentage
- Physical structural assessment - independent appraisal (prior to sale)
- Semen analysis - independent appraisal (prior to sale)
Heifers
- 7in1 vaccination (annual)
- Pestivirus vaccination (maiden heifers prior to joining)
- Drench for internal parasites (autumn & spring)
- Copper and Selenium supplementation (annual)
- Joined at 18-20 months of age
After purchasing animals, Greswick Angus recommends...
- 7in1 vaccination boosters be given to breeding stock 4-6 weeks prior to calving
- 7in1 vaccination boosters be given to breeding bulls 2-4 weeks prior to joining. Bulls purchased as a 2 year old will have effective coverage for the first year
- Vibriosis vaccination booster be given to breeding bulls prior to joining each year. Vibriosis is a sexually transmitted disease and a common cause of infertility. Vaccinating a bull will prevent its transmission from one breeding cow to another. Bulls purchased as a 2 year old will have effective coverage for the first year
- Drenching for internal parasites. Breeding bulls should be drenched prior to and after the joining period. Bulls are drenched prior to delivery
