Health Care

Score3.5 (13 Votes)

Target Sheep - Marking / Weaning

Optimising the health and productivity of your livestock

Marking considerations

Conduct marking operations in clean yards close to the paddock being grazed, ideally about two weeks after the last possible lambing date. Appropriate pain relief should be provided. Hygiene is most important for equipment. Prevent flystrike on healing wounds if blowfly strike is likely.

The challenges of weaning

Weaners are particularly susceptible to disease and parasites because their immune systems are not yet fully developed. The additional stresses of separation, handling, transitioning to a forage and/or grain-based diet and naturally low levels of trace minerals can further suppress the immune system. It is important that weaners are protected from disease and parasites so they can express their full genetic potential. In Merino flocks, wean lambs by 14 weeks after the start of the lambing to maximise the amount of time available for ewes to recover body condition before the next joining.

Animal health considerations

A comprehensive animal health program at weaning can help to optimise growth and development in prime lambs, maiden ewes and wethers by:

  • Protecting weaners against parasites and minimising pasture contamination.
  • ‘Topping up’ levels of essential trace minerals to boost the immune system.
  • Providing immunity against clostridial diseases and cheesy gland (CLA).

Vote for this content: 5 4 3 2 1

  • PREMIUM PROTECTION AGAINST PARASITES

    Virbac has a range of premium drenches that should be included in every drench (worm management) program.

    • TRIDECTIN® delivers the trusted power and persistency of moxidectin in a unique three-way oral formulation:

    - Controls worms with single, double or triple resistance to white, clear, ‘mectin’ or monepantel drenches.2
    - Patented micellar formulation technology for improved absorption and stability.3-6
    - Shortest ESI of any three-way drench (17 days).2
    - Helps to protect the efficacy of all active ingredients.
    - Fast, powerful and lasting broad spectrum control of worms.

    • CYDECTIN® WEANERGUARD® combines the trusted power of moxidectin with a 6 in 1 vaccine to optimise the health and productivity of weaners (CYDECTIN WEANERGUARD SE B12 also available).

    • CYDECTIN LONG ACTING INJECTION FOR SHEEP delivers the trusted power of moxidectin in a low volume injection. This long lasting protection is particularly suitable for young animals with developing immune systems, such as replacement ewes and wethers, or when attempting to reduce pasture contamination.

    Tridectin Cydectin Weanerguard Cydectin LA Sheep

  • BOOSTING IMMUNE FUNCTION IN WEANERS

    MULTIMIN® is a unique trace mineral injection that makes weaners ‘performance ready’ by improving immunity and fertility7-16:

    • Rapidly-absorbed ‘top up’ of essential trace minerals.16
    • Studies have shown MULTIMIN optimises all three parts of the immune system.7-16
    • Prolonged antioxidant activity.9
    • Contains no cyanide, an ingredient which may reduce antioxidant synthesis.17
    • Scientifically-proven to improve health and performance.

  • AUSTRALIAN MADE PROTECTION AGAINST CLOSTRIDIALS & CHEESY GLAND

    WEBSTERS VACCINE: Routine vaccination is essential to protect sheep from cheesy gland and clostridial diseases, such as pulpy kidney, black disease, malignant oedema, tetanus and blackleg.

    • Administer WEBSTERS® vaccines at marking and then a booster dose 4–6 weeks later to achieve adequate levels of immunity in young sheep.
    • Vaccinate all introduced weaners upon arrival and administer a booster dose 4–6 weeks later.
    • It may be necessary to administer the annual booster dose earlier if sheep are at risk of pulpy kidney (e.g. pasture conditions likely to cause bloat).

  • PREMIUM PROTECTION AGAINST LIVER FLUKE

    FLUKAZOLE® C is registered for the control of early immature (including two week old stage), immature and adult liver fluke in sheep.2

Related products

References:

1. Making more from sheep. Module 10: Wean more lambs. Meat & Livestock Australia, 2008. 2. Refer to registered label. 3. Porter, C.J., et al. (2007). Lipids and lipid-based formulations: optimising the oral delivery of lipophilic drugs. Nature Reviews Drug Discovery, 6(3):231. 4. Torchilin, V.P. (2001). Structure and design of polymeric surfactant-based drug delivery systems. Journal of Controlled Release, 73(2), pp.137-172. 5. Rangel-Yagui, C.O., et al. (2005). Micellar solubilisation of drugs. J. Pharm. Pharm. Sci, 8(2):147-163. 6. Virbac data on file. 7. Mundell, L. et al. (2012). Effects of prepartum and postpartum bolus injections of trace minerals on performance of beef cows and calves grazing native range, Professional Animal Scientist, 28:82-88.# 8. Teixeira, A. et al. (2014). Effect of an injectable trace mineral supplement containing selenium, copper, zinc, and manganese on immunity, health, and growth of dairy calves. J. Dairy Sci., 97:4216-4226.# 9. Machado, V. et al. (2013). Effect of an injectable trace mineral supplement containing selenium, copper, zinc, and manganese on the health and production of lactating Holstein cows. Vet. J. 197:451-6.# 10. Berry et al. (2000). Oklahoma State University Animal Science Report, 980:61- 64.# 11. Richeson, J. et al. (2006). Supplemental trace minerals from injection for shipping-stressed cattle. AAES Research Series, 574: 85-88.# 12. Arthington, J. et al. (2014). Effects of trace minerals on measures of performance and trace mineral status of pre- and post-weaned beef calves. J. Anim. Sci., 92:2630-2640. 13. Roberts et al. (2015), J. Anim. Sci., 93:S3.# 14. Palomares, R. et al. (2016). Effects of injectable trace minerals on humoral and cell-mediated immune responses to Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus, Bovine Herpes Virus 1 and Bovine Respiratory Syncytial Virus following administration of a modified-live virus vaccine in dairy calves. Vet. Immunol. Immunopathol., 178:88-98.# 15. Ball, M. (2016). Trace mineral injection enhances antibody response to botulism vaccination. AVA Proceedings, Adelaide. 16. Hansen (2007), Iowa State University, Department of Animal Science. 17. Pezacka, E., Green, R., & Jacobsen, D. W. (1990). Glutathionylcobalamin as an intermediate in the formation of cobalamin coenzymes. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications,169(2), 443-450. #The Multimin formulation in this study contained different levels of minerals compared to the registered formulation in Australia. Some benefits outlined in this document are not registered label claims. Refer to registered label. ®Cydectin, Flukazole, Multimin, Tridectin, Weanerguard and Websters are registered trademarks of Virbac.