B.PRS.2001-Managing welfare and production at weaning (Northern Beef pain relief project)
| Project start date: | 19 July 2019 |
| Project end date: | 30 November 2023 |
| Publication date: | 04 June 2021 |
| Project status: | Completed |
| Livestock species: | Grain-fed Cattle, Grass-fed Cattle |
| Relevant regions: | Northern Australia |
Summary
Northern beef producers are interested in assessing if the use of pain relief at the time of castration and dehorning could mitigate calf loss.
This project takes a holistic approach to managing animal welfare during castration and dehorning through implementing best practice techniques and improving the knowledge, awareness, skills and attitude (KASA) of Northern Territory (NT) producers in administering pain relief products. The study also looks at objective wellbeing assessments (behavioural and physiological parameters) to prove any benefits stemming from pain relief.
An initial pilot study has been conducted on Douglas Daly and Katherine Research Stations and consisted of 400 weaners. Results from the pilot are informing current producer demonstration sites (PDS) that include six NT properties in years 2 and 3 of the project.
Objectives
Following findings from the initial pilot study, six properties are demonstrating the use and practical application of pain relief during surgical procedures to increase animal welfare outcomes, such as:
- faster return to gaining weight
- reduced depression in weight gain
- reduced mortalities
- improved calf/weaner welfare outcomes.
This project will also implement best practice training for dehorning and castration to increase the capabilities of 40 pastoralists and conduct a cost benefit analysis of treatments and subsequent welfare outcomes.
Benefits to industry
Consultation with NT stakeholders has demonstrated that there is a strong interest in a producer demonstration sites looking at the use of pain relief in a commercial setting and quantifying the production benefits, if any. The results from this project will help inform future pain relief and animal husbandry techniques used in northern cattle enterprises.
Related resources
More information
| Contact email: | reports@mla.com.au |
| Primary researcher: | NTDITT |
