ONGOING heavy rainfalls across large tracts of northern Victoria have prompted the state’s principal veterinary officer to issue a livestock safety warning.
Dr Dianne Phillips said the rain and extended spells of humid weather heightened the risk for flystrike.
With more rain events forecast, Dr Phillips recommended adequate shelter for your stock for the rest of summer.
She said recent localised severe weather led to a higher number of deaths in vulnerable livestock in some areas of Victoria.
“Severe weather can include high winds, concentrated rainfall and/or hail and sudden temperature changes, which can impact livestock even in the warmer months of summer,” Dr Phillips said.
Vulnerable groups of livestock are those more prone to the effects of exposure and can include:
• Recently shorn sheep.
• Livestock with newborns or recently weaned animals.
• Livestock with parasitism or other underlying diseases associated with weight loss, anaemia, or low protein levels.
“Farmers are encouraged to also ensure livestock are up to date with routine stock health management requirements, such as drenching and vaccination programs, and to conduct regular inspections, monitoring for and treatment of diseases,” Dr Phillips said.
