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PRODAIRY.

WE’VE GOT  YOU COVERED.

Designed for Dairy Farmers.

Delivered by Dairy Vets.

 

Dairy Australia

Foot-and-Mouth Disease webinar

July 2022

 

ProDairy Partner Inclusions

ProDairy Partnership Brochure

Download the ProDairy Partnership brochure for a comprehensive snapshot of the programs benefits.

Download Now

animal health protocols

Customised animal health treatment protocols and factsheets for calves, weaned heifers, milking cows and bulls

DIRECT ONLINE ORDERING

  • Online ordering and payment system
  • Directly linked to individual farm herd health treatment protocols
  • Access to dairy consumables and merchandise

VETERINARY SERVICES

Discounted fees (-20%) on selected veterinary services:

  • Colostrum management investigation
  • Milk quality investigation
  • Reproductive performance investigation
  • Biosecurity plan
  • Animal welfare plan
  • Individual tailored courses

GROUP TRAINING COURSES AND FARM RESOURCES

  • Range of training topics
  • Face-to-face and on-line options
  • Optical Brix Refractometer
  • HerdPRO – Poster Series
  • HeiferPRO – Poster Series
  • CalfPRO – Poster Series

RISK MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING

Annual Herd Profile Survey to identify current and future priorities. Risk assessments and plans:

  • Pre-calving care
  • Colostrum management
  • Herd fertility
  • Milk quality and mastitis management
  • Annual ProDairy Focus Plan

Read what our vets and ProDairy member farmers have to say about ProDairy.

Dr Lachlan Fehring

Lachlan is one of the rare few who is a vet and a working dairy farmer. In fact, he helped to structure some of the programs.

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Dr Rob Bonnano

Dr Rob Bonanno  – ProDairy Vet Apiam Animal Health  – Shepparton VictoriaNext year Shepparton vet Dr. Rob Bonanno will clock up 30 years in the industry. For the Balmain boy who grew up on the Northern suburbs of Sydney, Rob can’t think of anything else he would...
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Con and Michelle Glennen

 —Noorat Farmers —Dr Craig Wood, left, and Con Glennen, right, discussing herd health.Con and Michelle Glennen – ProDairy Members Third generation southwest Victorian farmersAsk Con Glennen when was his last family holiday and he turns to his wife Michelle. “Five...
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Skeeta Verhey and Angela Turner

—Koondrook Farmers —Skeeta Verhey and Angela Turner – ProDairy Members Marleigh Park,  Koondrook – northern VictoriaAsk Leigh “Skeeta” Verhey a question about the running of his dairy farm and he can rattle of any number of statistics from what the daily feed cost is...
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Dr Craig Wood – ProDairy Vet

Dr Craig Wood  – ProDairy Vet Terang & Mortlake  Veterianry Clinic – Terang, Victoria Craig Wood wanted to be a vet for as long as he can remember. “I love what I do. I enjoy the lifestyle of being on the road and meeting people who start as your client but become...
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Animal Health Protocols

ANIMAL HEALTH PROTOCOLS

Customised animal health treatment protocols and factsheets for calves, weaned heifers, milking cows and bulls.

Three comprehensive folders containing on-farm treatment protocols.

  • CalfPro
  • HeiferPro
  • Herd Pro

 

Sample treatment Protocol & Factsheet

 

Direct Online Ordering

DIRECT ONLINE ORDERING

  • Online ordering and payment system.
  • Directly linked to individual farm herd health treatment protocols
  • Access to dairy consumables and merchandise
Veterinary Services

ProDairy Partners benefit from a 20% discount on selected veterinary services, which include:

  • The Colostrum First service package: measures passive transfer status in neonatal calves, along with the cleanliness of colostrum during the different stages of the collection, storage and handling processes.
  • Reproductive performance investigation: uses InCalf metrics and analysis of herd data to identify and manage areas contributing to poor reproductive performance.
  • Milk quality investigation: uses milking time measurements and herd records to identify areas contributing to poor milk quality and mastitis management.
  • Biosecurity plan: reviews livestock and feed management; people, vehicles and equipment; production practices; outgoing products; and Johnes disease management.
  • Animal Welfare plan: reviews animal welfare in all animal groups: calves, weaned stock, mated heifers, dry cows, close-up cows/heifers, fresh cows, milking herd, bulls.
This proactive approach helps ensure efficiency and profitability whilst maintaining animal health and wellbeing to the highest standards.

Risk Management & Planning

An annual Herd Profile Survey is completed for each ProDairy Partner, along with risk assessments in the following areas of the farming system:

  • Pre-calving care: identifies risks in key areas of pre-calving management to help prevent periparturient problems and assist with neonatal calf care for the upcoming calving period.
  • Colostrum management: reviews current practices involving Quickly, Quality, Quantity, Collection, Storage and Handling of colostrum.
  • Reproductive performance: assesses the key areas which can affect your herd fertility, providing valuable information for instigation of change and improvement.
  • Milk quality: reviews the current milk quality and mastitis management and defines the high-risk areas for further improvement.

Your vet will help you develop a ProDairy Focus Plan for the next 12 months to allow prioritisation of goals, for which progress can be measured. The Focus Plan for your herd will assist in driving actions to achieve better results.

Training & Farm Resources

Group Training Courses and Farm Resources

  • Range of training topics
  • Face-to-face and online options
  • Optical Brix Refractometer
  • HerdPro – Poster Series
  • HeiferPro – Poster Series
  • CalfPro – Poster Series

ANIMAL HEALTH PROTOCOLS

Customised animal health treatment protocols and factsheets for calves, weaned heifers, milking cows and bulls.

Three comprehensive folders containing on-farm treatment protocols.

  • CalfPro
  • HeiferPro
  • Herd Pro

 

Sample treatment Protocol & Factsheet

 

DIRECT ONLINE ORDERING

  • Online ordering and payment system.
  • Directly linked to individual farm herd health treatment protocols
  • Access to dairy consumables and merchandise

ProDairy Partners benefit from a 20% discount on selected veterinary services, which include:

  • The Colostrum First service package: measures passive transfer status in neonatal calves, along with the cleanliness of colostrum during the different stages of the collection, storage and handling processes.
  • Reproductive performance investigation: uses InCalf metrics and analysis of herd data to identify and manage areas contributing to poor reproductive performance.
  • Milk quality investigation: uses milking time measurements and herd records to identify areas contributing to poor milk quality and mastitis management.
  • Biosecurity plan: reviews livestock and feed management; people, vehicles and equipment; production practices; outgoing products; and Johnes disease management.
  • Animal Welfare plan: reviews animal welfare in all animal groups: calves, weaned stock, mated heifers, dry cows, close-up cows/heifers, fresh cows, milking herd, bulls.
This proactive approach helps ensure efficiency and profitability whilst maintaining animal health and wellbeing to the highest standards.

An annual Herd Profile Survey is completed for each ProDairy Partner, along with risk assessments in the following areas of the farming system:

  • Pre-calving care: identifies risks in key areas of pre-calving management to help prevent periparturient problems and assist with neonatal calf care for the upcoming calving period.
  • Colostrum management: reviews current practices involving Quickly, Quality, Quantity, Collection, Storage and Handling of colostrum.
  • Reproductive performance: assesses the key areas which can affect your herd fertility, providing valuable information for instigation of change and improvement.
  • Milk quality: reviews the current milk quality and mastitis management and defines the high-risk areas for further improvement.

Your vet will help you develop a ProDairy Focus Plan for the next 12 months to allow prioritisation of goals, for which progress can be measured. The Focus Plan for your herd will assist in driving actions to achieve better results.

Group Training Courses and Farm Resources

  • Range of training topics
  • Face-to-face and online options
  • Optical Brix Refractometer
  • HerdPro – Poster Series
  • HeiferPro – Poster Series
  • CalfPro – Poster Series

Get in Touch

ProDairy Factsheets & News

Treatment of Mastitis

Mastitis is persistent inflammation of the udder tissue caused by infection or physical trauma. The two main aims of treatment during lactation are: 1) Returning the milk to normal with an acceptable somatic cell count (SCC) so that the milk is saleable, and 2)...
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Toxic plants: Know your poison

Nitrate/nitrite High levels of nitrate in plants is toxic to grazing cattle. Nitrate can have a direct effect on gastrointestinal system causing diarrhoea but the major problem is caused when excess nitrate is converted to high levels of nitrite in the rumen. Pasture...
Read More

New technology aids antibiotic stewardship

THE RISE AND FALL OF ANTIBIOTICS Perhaps one of the greatest medical breakthroughs of our age was the discovery of penicillin by Alexander Flemming in 1928. New antibiotics were rapidly discovered which revolutionized the means by which infectious diseases were...
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What’s in a drench?

The term ‘drench’ refers to the anti-parasitic group of chemicals called anthelmintics. It is quite an inaccurate term as it implies either thoroughly wetting the animal or giving something orally. In the past this could have reflected the oral and pour-on methods of...
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Focus on Early Pregnancy Testing

The skill of determining the pregnancy status of cattle has progressed from a simple “yes / no” test to the current management tool providing foetal ageing and the identification of reproductive abnormalities. BENEFITS Reproductive performance is pivotal for economic...
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Collecting milk samples for culture

Sterile collection is the most important step for successful culturing of milk samples. Poor technique will give misleading results and resampling will be required. A good technique involves planning ahead and some patience. EQUIPMENT REQUIRED Sterile sample bottles....
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Quick and easy mastitis cultures

More than $150 million is lost to Australian dairy farmers each year through poor udder health. Mastitis is the major cause of this loss as it reduces milk yield and leads to poor quality milk. Although the investigation of mastitis does not rely on the results of...
Read More

Upping the anti . . . what?

One vital aspect of animal welfare is the prompt recognition of disease and the timely administration of the correct medicine for that disease. This article discusses the terms antimicrobial, antibiotic, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatories and vaccines to help...
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Immediate care of the newborn calf

The long term future of a dairy heifer can be influenced by events in the first 24 hours of her life. We can have a direct impact on these events and on her potential as a production animal. THE ‘NORMAL’ CALF Being familiar with ‘normal’ newborn calf behaviour allows...
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COLOSTRUM STORAGE – Get some in the bank!

WHY? If colostrum is left at ambient temperature, the bacteria present rapidly overgrow and can be the source of infection for calf-scour pathogens, such as Salmonella and E.coli. Heavily contaminated colostrum can prevent uptake of antibodies by the calf and increase...
Read More

Taking the headache out of disbudding

The routine removal of horns in cattle improves animal welfare in the long term as there is a reduced risk of bruising and hide damage, especially during yarding and transport. Dehorned cattle are safer to handle and require less trough space when compared to horned...
Read More

Are your heifers reaching the correct weight?

THE IMPORTANCE OF GROWING HEIFERS WELL Your future herd reproductive and lactation performance relies on optimal management of heifers from birth. The typical cost of rearing a heifer until first calving at 24 months of age could exceed $2000 and includes costs such...
Read More

Calf electrolytes: what’s new?

Oral rehydration solutions, commonly known as electrolytes, are considered the mainstay of treatment for calf diarrhoea or any dehydration due to disease. There is a vast array of products on the market, each with their own ‘special recipe’ which comes at a varying...
Read More

Which disinfectant for your calf shed?

A critical way to reduce the spread of disease from one season to the next is by removal of soiled bedding and thorough cleaning of the calf shed. This should be done as soon as possible after the last calf leaves the shed, using machinery for efficient removal of...
Read More

Managing endometritis in cattle

Endometritis is a mild, chronic infection of the uterus. It is very common, affecting up to 40% of postcalving cows. The uterus contains pus and there may be discharge from the vulva. The cows do not seem sick and will still eat, milk and cycle normally. However until...
Read More

Sick Calf Isolation

In Australia the majority of dairy calves are reared in groups, often from birth. Group size can vary from a small group of 5 calves to large groups of 40-50 calves. Calves are mostly reared in a designated shed which is either purpose-built or a shed-conversion. They...
Read More

Managing Mastitis in Wet Conditions

To help avoid mastitis in calving cows, Countdown Downunder recommends using clean dry calving paddocks with minimal mud and surface water – surprisingly such paddocks are rare at this time of the year so more attention is required in managing freshly calved cows. Wet...
Read More

Treatment of Lameness

Lameness can occur as a result of injury, infection, excessive wear or overgrowth of the hoof. Lameness is painful and can reduce grazing periods leading to decreased production, body condition and poor fertility.WHO SHOULD TREAT LAME COWS?  Your veterinarian is...
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Disease focus – Rye Grass Staggers

Disease focus: Rye Grass Staggers Perennial Rye Grass Staggers (PRGS) is a common condition of cattle, sheep, camelids, and horses in many regions of Australia. What causes PRGS? Perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne) is one of the most commonly sown pasture grasses in...
Read More

Top priorities for calf rearing

Changes to calf rearing systems should be made based on evidence and circumstance, to avoid unnecessary cost without a compromise in animal welfare. COLOSTRUM True colostrum is the first milk produced in the udder. Remember the three Q's of colostrum management:...
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Mycoplasma bovis: The Facts

Mycoplasma Bovis: The Facts The mycoplasmas are a type of bacteria that, unlike other bacteria, do not have a cell wall. Mycoplasma bovis, affects cattle but does not impose a human health risk. How does mycoplasma bovis spread? M. bovis is very effective at evading...
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Pre-Calving Checklist

There is a lot to get done between calving periods and it is easy to forget important tasks. Use this handy checklist to help you prepare for the calving season ahead. PRIOR TO DRYING-OFF Plan appropriate vaccination schedule with your ProDairy vet (reason for...
Read More

On the look-out for cancer eye

The most common type of tumour or “cancer eye” in cattle is squamous cell carcinoma. Cattle with non-pigmented eyelids and conjunctiva are at increased risk with Herefords and white-faced Holstein-Friesian cattle being more frequently affected. Cancers usually start...
Read More

Drying off made easier

Although many dairy farmers are very experienced with the procedure of drying off cows, it is worthwhile to have a review at least once annually. This is particularly important if there are new staff or different facilities from the previous dry-off period. Our vets...
Read More

Pre-Calving Care Checklist

There is a lot to get done between calving periods and it is easy to forget important tasks. Use this handy checklist to help you prepare for the calving season ahead. PRIOR TO DRYING-OFF Plan appropriate vaccination schedule with your ProDairy vet (reason for...
Read More

Feed Testing

The quality of a feed can be highly variable and is influenced by a range of management and seasonal factors. The only way to know the absolute nutritional value of your home-grown or bought-in feed is to feed test a sample of the feed. This knowledge allows the best...
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Turning down the heat in the calf shed

Heat-stress in the adult herd is a familiar concept but the effect of high ambient temperatures on dairy calves is often not considered. Calf comfort zone The ‘normal’ body temperature of a calf is 38.6°C (range 38.5–39.5°C). The ambient temperature range at which a...
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A word on trace elements

Minerals required by dairy cattle are classified as either macrominerals or trace elements, dependent on the amount required per day. Primary deficiencies arise because of insufficient levels of the actual trace element in the diet. Secondary deficiencies arise when...
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Cooler cows for hotter profits

Climate change is leading to warmer Australian summers with an increased number of hot days and warmer nights. This increases the risk of heat stress leading to adverse effects on herd health and farm profitability. EFFECTS OF HEAT STRESS Reduced milk production (up...
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Are you Bull Ready?

A key factor for optimal performance is ensuring cows get in calf as early as possible in the mating period. This not only relies on resumption of normal reproductive cycles in cows after calving but also normal bull fertility.Studies in Tasmania and South West...
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Border Veterinary Clinic

Barham 03 5453 3159
Cohuna 03 5456 2709
Leitchville 03 5456 7334
Kerang 03 5452 2094
bordervets.com.au

Deniliquin Vet Clinic

03 58815488
denivet.com.au

Finley Vet Clinic

03 5883 3833
finleyvet.com.au

 

Devoted Vets (Warragul)

03 5623 2525
devotedvets.com.au

Gippsland Veterinary Hospital

Maffra 03 5147 1177
Sale 03 5144 3100
maffravet.com.au

Kyabram Veterinary Clinic

Kyabram 03 5852 4600
Nathalia 03 5866 2860
kyabramvets.com.au

Livestock Logic (Hamilton)

03 5572 1419
livestocklogic.com.au

Warrnambool Veterinary

Warrnambool 03 5559 0222
Port Fairy 03 5568 6222
Koroit 03 5559 0260
Nullawarre 03 5559 0270
wvc.com.au

Scottsdale Veterinary Services

03 6352 2996
scottsdalevets.com.au

 

Smithton Veterinary Service

03 6452 6333
smithtonvet.com.au

Terang & Mortlake Vet Clinic

Terang 03 5592 2111
Mortlake 03 5599 2612
terangmortlakevetclinic.com.au

ProDairy Timboon

Timboon 03 5559 0234

ProDairy Korumburra

Korumburra 03 5616 2727