New disease guides for cattle and sheep producers

Two practical resources have been developed by the Department of Primary Industries, Regions South Australia and Animal Health Australia to help producers prevent, diagnose and treat cattle and sheep diseases.  

Cattle diseases: The farmers' guide

This easy-to-read guide is a one-stop-shop for producers seeking information on cattle disease diagnosis, treatment options, prevention and general cattle health management.

The guide includes various keys covering disease diagnosis by poisoning/toxicity, season, and signs and symptoms.

Exotic diseases are featured, with information provided on signs and symptoms, diagnosis and treatment for a range of diseases including:

• foot-and-mouth disease
• lumpy skin disease
• anthrax.

Clear, informative images provide visual clues to identify a host of other diseases in cattle, along with suggested treatments, symptoms, diagnosis and prevention information.

Sheep diseases: The farmers’ guide

This practical, quick-reference tool steps producers through the process of how to deal with a wide range of sheep diseases.

Producers will learn how to:

• assess signs and symptoms of disease
• identify possible causes of disease
• diagnose, treat and prevent diseases
• best manage general sheep health.

Producers will find several useful elements in the resource, including a seasonal guide to diseases and a comprehensive catalogue of diseases – enhanced by clear accompanying graphics.

Each disease is discussed in terms of the following criteria:

• a description of the problem it causes
• signs and symptoms
• diagnosis
• treatment
• prevention.

Both the cattle and sheep guides finish off with a suite of practical management guides covering biosecurity, vaccination, grain introduction, National Livestock Identification System obligations, fit to load guidelines and humane destruction.