Rural Living
Animal Handling and Health
Taking care of all your stock
Friday, 23 April 2010
While few farmers willingly jeopardise the well-being of their animals, sometimes the health of individual sheep and cattle can be compromised in the interest of general flock or herd welfare unless care is taken – especially during a drought. »
Safety first and safety always
Friday, 23 April 2010
As the drought stretches out and we’re forced to feed out dry food to our stock it is important to remember to follow some simple safety rules when handling hay.  »
Age no hurdle for young horse handler
Eighteen year old Louisa Tarver finds people often spoil their horses - resulting in problems. Photo supplied.
Wednesday, 20 February 2008
When Louisa Tarver was taken to a petting zoo in the UK when she was five, little did she know the pony ride included in the entry fee was the first step toward her future career. »
Taking the yards to the stock
Wednesday, 20 February 2008
The Vario Stock Handling System is designed for lifestyle blocks and farmers with small numbers of cattle. The system consists of a handler and a portable panel and gate system for creating pens. »
Gently in the stockyards
Wednesday, 20 February 2008
Animals, like people, remember bad experiences – ones that have caused fear and pain. »
Docking
Wednesday, 20 February 2008
Docking removes most of the lamb’s tail to prevent build up of dags on the wool around the sheep’s back end and thus avoid flystrike. »
Keeping flys at bay
Wednesday, 20 February 2008
Flystrike is a horrible disease in which blowflies lay eggs on the skin. Maggots hatch from the eggs and eat into the skin causing sores. This is a horrible sight for even the most experienced farmer. »