ON FARM SOUTHERN CATTLE Herd health ‘more than a marketing tool’ Ann‑Marie and Matt A healthy herd is also important to meet Collins run a tight ship commercial production targets. at ‘Kenmere Charolais’, The Collinses use their own bulls in striving for industry best practice their commercial operation to produce when it comes to biosecurity early‑finishing calves – in a good and animal health on their two season, they expect calves to reach NSW properties. 400kg by 10–11 months old. The Collinses are proud of the health Keeping the farm clean rating of their cattle, with both herds To ensure they’re protecting their herds maintaining Johne’s Beef Assurance and farms from pest, weed and disease Score (J BAS) 7 status and negative incursions, all vehicles entering and pestivirus status. leaving the properties must pass over a Ann‑Marie Collins, with Kenmere purpose‑built wheel wash. Charolais heifers. Their animal health practices include: • All cattle receive a 7‑in‑1 vaccine, Ann‑Marie and Matt are also creating 7. Routine monitoring and management as well as a Multimin injection and buffer zones along any fence lines with for weed and pest control, including a drench. neighbours and all boundary fences weekly monitoring of fence lines. ■ • Females are given a pestivirus are electrified to deter cattle from going vaccination to continue best practice too close. LESSONS within the herd. Biosecurity measures include: LEARNED • All young bulls and heifers are tested 1.Mandatory recording of all animals’ for pestivirus. histories while in their ownership. > Don’t relax farm biosecurity, even • Bulls are sold with a guarantee they’re2. Recording all on‑farm movements of in drought years. J BAS 7, pestivirus‑negative, semen people, vehicles and equipment. > Ensure all staff are onboard with tested and checked by the stud’s vet 3. Delivering bulls to clients, only biosecurity policies. for structural soundness. using a transport company (that > Work with veterinarians to Traceability complies with their vehicle hygiene establish and maintain animal The Collinses keep detailed records requirements) to reduce the number health processes. for traceability. All stud and commercial of trucks entering the property. > Keep records for traceability and cattle are tagged and recorded at birth, 4.New genetics are only purchased to demonstrate biosecurity and and all treatments and vaccinations are from herds that carry the same animal health practices. recorded on a herd health program health status, and new cattle are using NLIS tag numbers. retested as a precaution. Kenmere stud cattle have Estimated 5. Any introduced cattle are quarantined Ann-Marie Collins Breeding Values (EBVs) and are for 21 days before joining other cattle. E: ann-mariecollins@bigpond.com registered with the Charolais Society of 6. All paddock treatments are recorded, View a video of the Collinses’ Australia. They comply with the breed’s imported feed is controlled and wheel-washer at: code of conduct, which has provisions they only buy hay backed by feed kenmerecharolais.com.au for herd health and husbandry. quality tests. SNAPSHOT:Matt and Ann‑Marie Collins, Holbrook and Cookardinia, NSWl Area: Enterprise: Livestock: Pasture: Soil: Rainfall: 800ha Stud and 300 stud Permanent pasture Alluvial creek 700mm commercial breeders and including phalaris loams and Charolais cattle 250 commercial and lucerne; heavier loam and breeders perennial pastures clay loam with annual ryegrass and clover; cereals 25