News - Livestock Central

Ben Nevis Angus Producing Exceptional Yearling Bulls

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 00:00:00 -1100

Armed with a firm belief that bulls are meant to commence their working life at 12 months of age, Ben Nevis Angus principal Erica Halliday is committed to producing high quality yearling bulls for her clients.

Ben Nevis Angus (located in Walcha, NSW) has been selling yearling bulls for over a decade and their clients wouldn’t have it any other way.

Explains Erica, ‘In our experience, yearling bulls suffer fewer breakdowns, cost less to produce, are cheaper at the point of sale and offer genetic gain a year earlier than the traditionally sold two year old animals. Both vendors and clients stand to reap the benefits.’

Erica adds, ‘Starting work at a younger age also means that the bulls are less bulky, more agile and less likely to fight with their peers than bulls started as two year-olds’.

In preparation for sale, Erica (in conjunction with her husband Stuart Halliday and parents Bruce and Cherry Steel) aim to grow their young bulls to weights of 500 to 550kg at 12 to 14 months of age. In order to consistently achieve these targets and best exploit the genetic potential of their animals, the family focus heavily on correct weaning and backgrounding nutrition and management using the Livestock Central systems.

Stuart Halliday (Livestock Central Director of Research and Development) explains, ‘As a professional industry advisor I would not be comfortable in recommending management and feeding strategies to producers if I did not have the utmost faith in the ability of those systems to deliver results in the real world. Erica and I use the Livestock Central programs extensively in both our stud and commercial operations and are delighted with the results we are achieving. In addition, we are constantly evaluating and fine-tuning our systems, which even further enhances the quality of both animals and advice that we are able to offer to our clients.’

Ben Nevis Angus provide an excellent example of how innovative thinking, combined with top class genetics and management strategies can combine to deliver animals of outstanding quality into the Australian livestock market.

Please Contact Us for more information on Livestock Centrals Advanced Management Systems.

Western Australian dairy farmers leading the way

Mon, 04 Oct 2010 00:00:00 -1100

Dr Jim Lloyd (Livestock Central National Technical Services Manager), in association with Elders Bunbury, recently conducted a specialised dairy workshop at Capel, WA. The focus of the day was on pre calving and transition cow management, as well as calf rearing.

Approximately 30 producers and staff attended the workshop, held at Negus Enterprises Dairy, owned and operated by the Negus family (Oscar, Wendy and Oscar Junior). Attendees and Livestock Central presenters alike were most impressed by the dairies new calf rearing eco shelter (pictured) in which the event was held.

During the initial part of the workshop, Jim examined a series of nutritional and management strategies aimed at transition and pre calving heifers and cows, with the aim of optimising calving and early lactation performance. He paid particular attention to the prevention of metabolic diseases (such as those associated with calcium and magnesium availability), as well as to techniques for driving optimal colostrum production and calf survival and vigor.

Commenting after the workshop, Jim stated that he ‘was impressed with both the attendees level of understanding of the importance of excellent transition herd management, as well as their high level of commitment to providing well balanced diets to their cows and heifers at this critical time.’

The latter half of the workshop focused on presenting advanced techniques for dairy calf rearing and weaning. The appropriate management of calves early in life and during both the pre and post weaning periods is vital for optimising health, reducing the incidence of infectious disease and for ensuring excellent rumen development and function at the time of weaning. Despite the wide range of calf rearing facilities and techniques currently utilised by those attending the workshop, the nature of the practical techniques presented by Jim meant that they could be readily adapted to suit individual producers requirements and existing set ups.

Livestock Central would like to offer thanks to both Paula Carroll and Tammy Eckersley (of Elders Bunbury) for their fantastic efforts in organising this successful day, as well as to the Negus family for the generous use of their facilities.

For more information on Advanced Dairy Management Programs please Contact Us.

Professional Lotfeeders Choose Livestock Central

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -1100

Justin and Toni Fuller from Balladoran, north of Dubbo (NSW) are professional sheep feed lotters. Over the years, in an effort to maximise the performance of their stock, they have utilised a number of different feeding and management strategies.

Justin (pictured) cites one of the more recent changes implemented as ‘the best decision we have made’. ‘We were having some difficulties with a few factors within the lot, namely too many shy feeders and more deaths than we were comfortable with’ says Justin. ‘I had recently heard about the ELMS feeding system and decided to get in contact with Robert Bell from Livestock Central. After a general discussion about our set up and objectives, Robert provided some feedback on what he felt were acceptable levels of shy feeding and mortality. I was a little sceptical as to how achievable the low figures he proposed actually were, but decided to implement his suggested changes and see how it went.’

Justin recalls, ‘I decided to play it safe initially and only treat one pen this way. However, after seeing the results, within a week I had converted the whole lot to the Livestock Central system’.

As Robert explains, ‘the changes made to Justin’s program were not drastic, as he was already running an exceptionally good operation. Primarily we focussed on fine tuning his ration and tweaking a few of his management practices.’

A recent on farm catch-up with Justin, several months after the new system was implemented, provided an excellent opportunity for an evaluation of the performance results to date.

‘Since we made the recommended changes, the overall feedlot performance has significantly improved’ says Justin. ‘Our mortality rates are down to 0.1%, shy feeders are pretty much nonexistent and the amount of feed consumed has decreased considerably. Where we used to go through a semi of grain a week, the same amount now lasts us a fortnight. This obviously has a big impact on cash flow’.

The measured average feed efficiency across the feedlot is now an impressive 4:1 (as fed) or 3.6:1 on a dry matter basis.

Justin and Toni are delighted with the results. Says Justin, ‘we have tried plenty of feed mixes and management techniques over the years, but nothing comes close to our current Livestock Central program. If we can’t make money using the ELMS system, then we won’t be feeding sheep.’

Please Contact Us for more information on how Livestock Centrals Advanced Intensive Feeding Programs can help you maximise the profitability of your lamb feeding operation.

Livestock Central R&D facility demonstrates excellent returns on ELMS Joining (Artificial Reproduction) protocol

Mon, 04 Jan 2010 00:00:00 -1100

Livestock Central, has recently undertaken and evaluated the results of two cattle artificial insemination (AI) programs conducted at its New England R&D facility.

The first program was conducted in spring 2008, whilst the second program was undertaken in autumn of this year.

A total of 500 animals (including 114 maiden heifers) were included in these two AI programs. In each program, half of the animals were fed and managed according to the ELMS Joining (Artificial Reproduction) protocol, whilst the remaining animals served as a control group and were managed in a manner more typical of many producers current programs.

The ELMS protocol is designed specifically to improve the quality of cycles and eggs, increase fertilisation and implantation rates and to maximise conception rates in the first (and second) cycles. Techniques used in the protocol include the feeding of a specialised reproductive nutritional concentrate, injectable vitamins B12 and ADE, low dose grain feeding, stress management and vaccinations.

Upon evaluation of the trial results, three main differences were observed between the ELMS and Control groups

1. Conception rates were 15 to 20% higher in the ELMS group when compared to the Control group.

2. A tighter calving pattern was achieved with the ELMS protocol, with 8% more heifers and 20% more cows calving in the first 4 weeks compared to the Control group.

3. A significant difference was noted in the growth rate of heifers, with 82% of the ELMS group achieving target joining weight compared to only 72% of the Control group.

A cost benefit analysis was then performed. This was done by comparing the additional costs associated with the extra inputs and labour required by ELMS protocol implementation with the increased number of pregnancies achieved.

Across 100 head, the total cost of program implementation was determined to be $6030 (or $60/head). The return over the 100 animals, based on increased pregnancy rates, was $20 000 (or $200 / head).

It is worth noting that there were a number of additional benefits associated the ELMS protocol implementation that were not included in this economic analysis and which would have increased the rate of return even more.

These include:

Increased number of even, marketable weaners (due to the increased number of animals calving in the first 4 weeks);
Decreased number of late calvers;
Decreased number of cull heifers (i.e. a reduced number of heifers failing to achieve target joining weight);
Improved herd fertility for the next year (as a result of maiden heifers calving early and in a tight calving pattern).

For more comprehensive details on the protocol and results described in this article please contact Stuart Halliday (Livestock Central Research & Development Director) directly or use the Contact Us facility on this website.

Focussing on heifer joining management is paying dividends for the Boydell Family from Moree

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 00:00:00 -1100

Owned and operated by Stuart and Penny Boydell, along with their daughter Dimity and son-in-law David Watts, Cooma Station is a mixed farming operation north of Moree.

Livestock Central has been working closely with the team from ‘Cooma’ for the past three years. Initial efforts were focussed on rectifying lazy calving issues and then expanded into other areas of the operation such as forage grazing and heifer joining management.

Robert Bell, from Livestock Central, designed a readily implementable heifer joining program that was aimed at both improving conception rates and tightening up calving patterns.

Following the pregnancy scanning of the heifers, Robert received a call from an excited David Watts who reported that the results had ‘really surprised him’.

Of the 113 heifers joined, 108 were confirmed pregnant, with an astounding 97 of these (or 95.6%) due to calve in first cycle and the remaining 11 (4.6%) due to calve in second cycle.

These exceptional results were confirmed as calving commenced, with Dimity reporting that ‘there are calves everywhere’ by the third week of calving.

Robert also worked with David and Dimity to devise a suitable nutritional and management strategy to manage the heifers during the calving period and once again, they were very pleased with the results achieved, with minimal intervention and assistance required.

Please Contact Us if you would like more information on Livestock Centrals advanced joining or calving management systems.

Outstanding results achieved by the Nixon family of Chinchilla in the show ring

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 00:00:00 -1100

Show preparation of stud cattle makes up a large proportion of Aderian and Julie Nixons business at Chinchilla, QLD. In addition to running their own Hereford and Gelbvieh studs, the Nixons operate Weetalabah Cattle Services, a specialist show feeding and preparation facility for cattle.

Aderian and Julie have been working with the Livestock Central team for several years, building a relationship that has evolved from designing a simple bull ration through to the development of comprehensive programs to manage critical points of the production cycle such as weaning.

‘We were first exposed to Livestock Central when I attended a workshop in Dalby delivered by David Ginter. In hindsight, the timing was what really allowed us to be open to this forward thinking. We had just experienced disappointing semen test results from our sires and were convinced that urgent steps needed to be taken to address this issue’. Julie said.

Following that initial workshop, David designed a bull ration for the Nixons, resulting in significant improvements in bull semen quality. In addition, the requirement for regular hoof trimming became a thing of the past due to the improved nutritional management of the animals.

As Julie explains, ‘One of the real benefits that has come from working with Livestock Central has not only been the physical results of semen quality improving and the drastic reduction in lameness and hock swelling, but the amount of feed that these bulls need for preparation has decreased significantly. We are now feeding only about 6kg of feed to put a kilo of live weight on which has had an extremely positive impact on the profitability of the exercise’.

Not only have the Nixons themselves benefited from their relationship with Livestock Central, but so too have several of their show preparation clients. Julie believes strongly that feeding plays an important role in the ultimate presentation of cattle in the ring. ‘I feel about 50% of the animals presentation on show day comes down to preparation and feeding’, she says. One of Weetalabah’s recent outstanding successes was at Australias premier beef event, Beef 09 held in Rockhampton in May. The Grand Champion Interbreed Bull (pictured, Wallan Creek Dimbulah, owned by the Nixon family of Wallan Creek Hereford Stud, Qld) was prepared and fed for several months by Julie using the Livestock Central designed show and stud cattle feeding program.

For more information on Livestock Centrals specialised stud and show cattle feeding programs, please Contact Us.

Combining leading edge reproductive technologies with advanced nutritional strategies is paying dividends for astute breeders.

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 00:00:00 -1100

In August, Stuart Halliday (Livestock Central) and Simon Walton, Managing Director of Australian Reproductive Technologies, conducted a series of Cattle IVF (in vitro fertilisation) workshops throughout Queensland. Well-attended sessions were held at Gympie, Rockhampton, Mackay and Charters Towers, with local Elders branches instrumental in organising and hosting the events.

Throughout the world, IVF is rapidly superseding multi ovulation ET (embryo transfer) as the artificial reproductive strategy of choice. Reasons for this include a reduced reliance on hormone administration, less likelihood of rendering valuable donor females infertile and the opportunity for faster rates of genetic gain.

Australian Reproductive Technologies (part of the worldwide Vitrogen group) is leading the way in introducing IVF to the Australian cattle industry. Techniques developed and refined in South America (where IVF is the predominant artificial reproductive technology) are now available to Australian producers through Simon and his highly trained team at ART. As a specialist reproductive biologist, Simon is able to utilise his extensive experience in both the human and ruminant IVF fields to deliver techniques and technologies to his clients that assist them to achieve optimal results from their IVF programs.

As part of his best practice approach, Simon has recognised that the nutritional management of both donor and recipient animals plays a crucial role in determining the overall pregnancy rates of an IVF program. A number of his clients have already experienced great success (when compared to previously achieved results or those of other producers) when combining a Livestock Central or ELMS feeding and management program with their IVF program.

This unique collaboration between ART and Livestock Central means that Australian cattle breeders are now able to take advantage of the combined expertise of both organisations. Many of the recent workshop attendees are now working directly with both Stuart and Simon to develop holistic, customised reproductive management program s.

Please Contact Us today for more information on how Livestock Central can help you achieve the best results possible in your artificial reproduction program.

Livestock Central working with Haddon Rig to capture lamb-feeding opportunities

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -1100

Recently, Haddon Rig has been examining available options for increasing the market potential of their sale sheep, as well as adding value to their grain production. These investigations resulted in the development of a working relationship with Livestock Central, which has led to the implementation of an intensive feeding program, currently being used to finish both merino and crossbred lambs.

Robert Bell and David Horsnell, of Livestock Central, worked closely with the team at Haddon Rig to establish their specific program objectives and to develop an understanding of their existing management practices, as well as labour and infrastructure availability.

Armed with this information, they were then able to develop a customised intensive feeding program, tailored specifically to meet Haddon Rigs requirements. Careful attention was paid to the design and construction of the feeding pens (including feed and water troughing systems), the appropriate division of animals based on weight ranges, animal health treatments (such as vaccines and injectable vitamins) and feedlot ration design. In addition, special attention was paid to animal health, feed availability and stress management prior to and during induction, in order to ensure that the transition from paddock feed to ad lib grain was as rapid and trouble free as possible.

To date, the team at Haddon Rig has been exceptionally pleased with the results being achieved under the Livestock Central system. As Andy Maclean of Haddon Rig says ‘The feeding program has enabled us to produce high quality lambs and capitalise on the current great lamb prices. It has also opened our eyes to opportunities that exist to feed and add value to our culls prior to them leaving the farm gate. We are also currently working with Rob from Livestock Central to get the maximum performance from our stock grazing the green feed that we have been blessed with so far this season and will also look at implementing a weaning program’.

Please Contact Us at Livestock Central for further information on how our Advanced Production Management Systems can help you create opportunities to add value to your enterprise.

Sevenbardot Stud Red Star Hereford SECURE field day an outstanding success

Sun, 19 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -1100

As part of the nationwide launch of the Red Star Hereford SECURE program, a successful field day was recently hosted by Jim and Sue Gunn of Sevenbardot Hereford Stud in Bylong, NSW.

Jim and Sue (in conjunction with Elders and Livestock Central) organised a fantastic day, with approximately 40 producers attending, interested in finding out more about the Red Star Hereford SECURE program.

The key speaker for the day was Livestock Centrals Technical Director Rick White who capably guided participants through an overview of the SECURE program, as well as the technical and practical aspects of advanced weaning practice and the superior preparation of animals for feedlots.

Jim and Sue Gunn are enthusiastic supporters of Red Star, having already achieved exceptional results with animals weaned under the Livestock Central program earlier this year. Those weaners gained an average of 21 kg in the first 24 days following weaning compared to the previous weaning system where losses of 30 kg were considered normal.

As the next group of Sevenbardot weaners are currently being weaned and are in the yards, this provided the field day attendees with an excellent opportunity to examine the system first hand and to question both Jim and Rick about any aspect of the program.

A highlight of the day was the opportunity for attendees to examine and compare the inside of the rumens of two 9 months old calves raised on the property. The first calf had been weaned at 5 months of age using the Livestock Central system, while the other remained on the cow until 9 months of age. The huge difference in the levels of development of the two rumens amazed the crowd and certainly provided a very powerful reinforcement of Ricks arguments regarding the level of impact that appropriate early weaning can have on lifetime performance and feed conversion efficiency.

Please Contact Us today more information on Red Star Hereford SECURE.