Nutrition is a vital part of an animal’s life. Good nutrition is required by animals to reach their genetic potential. Animals consume nutrients, which are then digested, absorbed and used for general maintenance activity, in addition to, growth, foetal development, milk production and fattening.

Cattle belong to an animal group called ruminants or ‘cud chewers’. Ruminants have large four-chambered stomachs each performing individual metabolic processes. The fundamentals learnt from Nutrition will give you the insights of this complex process. Understanding this will enable you to better manage your herd in specific environments from production feeding to droughts.

This component of the course is ideal for people looking to prepare animals for show and sales.

Right - Champion steer Dubbo National Steer Show 1990
This course component studies animal Behavior and their ‘flight zones’. Inside the flight zone is the animals’ personal space, and the size of that zone is determined individually depending on how the animal (or group of animals) feel in that particular environment. Handlers who understand the concepts of flight zones and point of balance will be able to work with animals more freely.

Training on cattle yard facilities and design is included in this workshop. Good design will
help eliminate areas of danger to the cattle handler and help eliminate areas of stress to the animal.

Herd health is important to a successful management plan. To ensure proper performance, you must establish and maintain an effective health management program.

Common diseases such as Lepto and Pulpy Kidney are covered in Herd Health. Discussions on the cause and effects of diseases are covered as well as how to administer vaccines and other health products.

Poor nutrition, feeding management and climatic conditions can cause health problems referred to as “metabolic disorders.” Some of the more common feed and environmental-related health problems in cattle are acidosis, grass tetany, bloat, pregnancy toxaemia and scours. Knowledge of how to treat these diseases and recognise the symptoms are covered in the workshop.

The management and prevention of internal and external parasites is an important and effective tool affecting many aspects of cattle breeding. The course covers when to treat, what to treat and how to treat these parasites.

:: Preparation, Showing and Marketing

This course covers all the basics on preparation, showing and marketing cattle for exhibition. For breeders looking to present animals for the first time or for those who are looking to brush up on their skills, will find this workshop highly beneficial.

Right - A group of Murray Grey Youth Ambassadors. Wodonga Nationals April 2004

Showing and Preparation covers topics such as breaking-in and leading, washing, grooming and clipping. The workshop then goes on to illustrate show-ring and presenting techniques and gives proven methods of successful marketing and promotion concepts from brochures to web design.

Poll Hereford Heifer Before Preparation	Poll Hereford Heifer after Preparation
A well prepared Charolais Heifer