Our Blog
Bull Pre-Breeding Checks
INSURANCE YOU CAN’T SKIP
April 2026 - North East Farmer - Dr Matt Boon
Bulls are often the most expensive and least checked animals in the herd — yet they carry half the genetic load and determine joining success. April is the ideal time to assess bulls before the breeding season begins. A proper Bull Breeding Soundness Examination (BBSE) goes far beyond a quick look. It includes a physical exam, feet and leg assessment, scrotal measurement and semen evaluation. Bulls that “look fine” can still have poor semen quality or subfertility that only shows up after a disappointing pregnancy rate. Pre-joining health treatments matter too. Vaccination against diseases such as vibriosis and pestivirus should be timed well before joining, not rushed at the last minute. Giving vaccines too close to joining can temporarily suppress semen quality — an easy mistake that costs conception. Nutrition also needs review. Bulls should enter joining at BCS 3.5, fit but not fat. Over-conditioned bulls tire quickly and under-conditioned bulls lose weight fast once joining starts. Foot problems are a major cause of joining failure, particularly on harder autumn ground. Early detection allows treatment or culling before cows miss cycles. If a bull fails during joining, the damage is already done. Warby St Vets offer comprehensive bull testing, vaccination programs and pre-joining health plans to ensure bulls are ready when cows are cycling. One test can protect an entire season’s calves.
Pre-calving Health for Autumn Calvers
February 2026 - North East Farmer - Dr Matt Boon
For autumn-calving herds, February is crunch time. Decisions made now directly affect calf survival, cow recovery and re-joining success. Getting pre-calving health right is about stacking small advantages before things get busy. Vaccination is a key starting point. Boosters for clostridial diseases and calf scours (where appropriate) should be given 4–6 weeks before calving to maximise antibody transfer through colostrum. Timing matters - too early or too late reduces protection. Calving paddock selection is just as important. Clean, well-drained paddocks with adequate shelter reduce disease pressure and mismothering. Avoid over-stocking and rotate paddocks if possible to limit build-up of pathogens that contribute to scours and navel infections. Nutrition underpins everything. Cows should be calving at an appropriate body condition score to ensure strong colostrum production and quicker return to cycling. Trace minerals such as selenium can influence calf vigour and immune function - deficiencies are not uncommon in parts of NE Victoria. Parasite control is often overlooked pre-calving. Heavy worm burdens can reduce milk production and delay recovery postcalving, particularly in younger cows. If you’re unsure whether your pre-calving program is hitting the mark, now is the time to check. Warby St Vets can review vaccination timing, assess nutritional risk and help select calving paddocks that minimise disease pressure. A smooth calving starts with preparation, not luck.
Know Your Herd
EARLY PREGENACY CHECKS FOR SPRING CALVERS
January 2026 - North East Farmer - Dr Matt Boon
Spring calving season is in full swing, and your bulls are still out. Do you know which cows are in calf, when they conceived, or if any are carrying twins? Early pregnancy diagnosis (EPD) is your chance to get answers—and take control of your herd’s performance. The sweet spot for scanning is 5–7 weeks after bulls are removed. At this stage, ultrasound can give accurate foetal ages, helping you group cows, plan nutrition, and manage calving more effectively. No more guessing which cows need extra attention or when calves are due—just clear, actionable information. EPD also lets you spot twins early. Twin-bearing cows have higher nutritional needs and a greater risk of calving problems. Knowing who’s carrying multiples means you can act before it becomes a headache. And if results aren’t what you expected? Early scanning gives you time to troubleshoot poor conception rates, giving you the flexibility to rejoin or target an alternative market. At Warby Street Vet Hospital, our PregCHECK Accredited vets deliver fast, reliable results with practical advice you can act on straight away. Don’t wait until calving chaos hits—get your cows scanned early, make informed decisions, and set your spring calving season up for success. Book your ultrasound today and know your herd inside out.
Snake Bite
December 2025 - North East Farmer - Dr Matt Boon
The weather is warming up and unfortunately that means we are starting to see snake bite cases again. Australian venomous snakes have the potential to be lethal to all types of domestic animals, but we most commonly see snake bites in dogs and cats as they are more likely than livestock or horses to try to interact with a snake. Signs of snake bite in dogs often include an initial vomit, followed by collapse or wobbliness. Drooling, laboured breathing, and red urine may also be seen. Dogs may appear to temporarily recover after an initial collapse, but will then deteriorate again. Signs in cats are initially a crouching gait or weakness, which then progresses to an inability to stand and walk. Cats often try to hide when they feel unwell, so if your cat goes missing check under bushes and sheds as they may have crawled somewhere and be unable to move. Snake bite signs in cats can sometimes not be evident for several hours or even more than a day after the envenomation. It is very rare to see a snake bite mark on pets, so don’t waste time looking for one. It is not important to identify the snake as vets use a multivalent antivenom which covers all our local venomous snake species. Do not try to catch the snake for identification. Australian snake antivenom is very effective, but it must be given as soon as possible in order to have the best result. If you see your dog or cat in close contact with a snake, take them to the vets immediately. This is important even if your pet is not showing any symptoms, as sometimes the signs can be delayed. Ring ahead to let us know you are on your way. Time is of the essence, so do not take a wait and see approach, particularly if you live out of town. If your pet isn’t showing any symptoms we may admit them to hospital for observation, or run blood tests to give us more information. Most dogs show symptoms within the first half hour of a snake bite, but the occasional one may have a delayed onset of up to 24 hours. Cats are more likely to become unwell slowly. Most pets can be saved with antivenom and intensive care if they receive treatment early enough.