The following health costs have been allowed in the budgets. Note that in some areas there may be additional costs for liver fluke or leptospirosis. In other areas, particularly western areas, drenching may not be regularly practiced. In calculating livestock health costs, treatments were first determined and then the budgets were consulted to determine the number of cattle receiving each treatment.
Inland beef enterprises are dealt with first followed by growing out enterprises, north costal enterprises, local trade feeders on the south coast and Friesian steers. A summary is included at the end of this section which combines all of the costs for each particular enterprise.
Inland Cattle
This represents the majority of enterprises in the book where area is not specified.
Cows
100 cows x 1 5-in-1 vaccine @ 23¢ =$23
100 cows x 1 pregnancy test @ $4.10 =$410
100 cows x misc. vet costs @ $2.50 = $250
= $683
In some areas, cows may need drenching, lice treatment and leptospirosis vaccinations (ie 7 in 1 instead of 5 in 1).
Bulls
2 bulls x 1 5-in-1 vaccine @ 23¢=$1
1 newly purchased bull x 2 5-in-1 vaccines @ 23¢=$1
3 bulls x 1 Ivomectin drench and lice treatment @$10= $30
3 bulls x Vibriosis vaccines (1 booster) = $24
3 bulls x 1 fertility test @ $67.50 = $202
=258
Bulls can carry large lice and worm burdens and should be treated annually. In Leptospirosis areas, 7 in 1 vaccination will be needed and in some areas Ephemeral Fever (3 day sickness) vaccination may be warranted.
Calves - as budgeted calf numbers vary slightly between inland cattle enterprise, costs also vary slightly but as the only cost budgeted for calves is only a vaccination the variation is too small to be significant and the same cost is used for all of these enterprises.
Approx 86 calves x 2 x 5-in-1 vaccine @ 23¢ = $40
Few calves will need drenching or lice control before weaning. Check local recommendations.
Replacement heifers
20 heifers x 1 5-in-1 vaccine @ 23¢ = $5
20 heifers x 1 drench @ $2.75 = $50
=$55
Growing stock to 18 months
Allow $5.50 for drench and 23¢ for 5-in-1 vaccine = $5.73. For young stock post weaning to 18 months, 64 head (86 calves less 20 replacement heifers less 2 deaths)for all relevant enterprises except young cattle 15-20 months (moderate growth) where 57 (82 calves less 23 heifers less 2 deaths) animals are involved.
64 head x $5.73 =$367 ($327)*
* for young cattle 15-20 months where a lower weaning percentage is expected
Growing Out Enterprises (18 Months To 3 Years)
Allow $5.50 for drench, 23¢ for 5-in-1 vaccine per year =$5.73/head.
Allow (41 + 8 ) x $5.73 for Jap Ox steer = $281. That is 41 steers get one drench and vaccine and 8 steers get a 2nd drench and vaccine.
EU cattle
Allow 64 x $5.73 for EC =$367.00
Purchasing stock (used in local Trade Feeder Enterprise and growing out steer enterprises)
Those enterprises buying stock for growing out or fattening need to allow for full vaccination and drenching on arrival.
2 x 5-in-1 vaccines @ 23¢ =$0.46
2 worm drenches @ $2.75 = $5.50
1 fluke drench @ $3.30 = $3.30
= $9.26/head
- for local trade feeder enterprise = $167
18 replacements @ $9.26
