Managing livestock health and disease during dry seasons

Livestock monitoring and management is crucial for keeping animals healthy and productive during extended summer periods.In this episode, we are joined by Dr Izzy Drage, Field Veterinary Officer at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), and Katherine Davies, Senior Development Officer in DPIRD’s Animal Systems group. They bring valuable experience in livestock health and practical on‑farm management.We discuss the practical and strategic approaches to managing livestock during prolonged dry and hot periods, touching on water management, feed planning, disease observation and prevention, and long-term climate resilience for livestock.This episode is brought to you by the South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub and is hosted by Dr Mary-Anne Glanzlowe.Livestock nutrition in dry seasons with hay, silage and containment feeding - SW WA HubWaterSmart Dams: capturing and keeping water in dams - SW WA HubManaging heat stress in sheep, beef and dairy cattle - SW WA HubAnimal biosecurity - DPIRDAnimal welfare in emergencies - Heatwave (and dry season) - DPIRDAnnual ryegrass toxicity in livestock - DPIRD"Condition scoring of sheep" factsheet - DPIRD"Confined paddock feeding and feedlotting of sheep" factsheet - DPIRDDPIRD Diagnostics and Laboratory ServicesDPIRD field vet contactsElectronic identification for sheep and goats in Western Australia - DPIRDThe Emergency Animal Disease Hotline – how does it work? - Animal Health AustraliaEmergency animal disease preparedness - DPIRD"Growing weaner sheep" factsheet - DPIRDHypocalcaemia in sheep - Agriculture VictoriaLivestock ownership, identification and movement in Western Australia - DPIRDLupinosis - DPIRDPrevent chemical residues in livestock - DPIRDReportable animal diseases – Western Australia - DPIRDSaltland GenieSeason agricultural region - DPIRDSheep dry season management - DPIRDSheep feeding and nutrition - DPIRDSheep reproduction and genetics - DPIRDSheep tools, resources and calculators - DPIRDSignificant Disease Investigation Program - DPIRDSupplementary feeding and budgeting - DPIRDWater for livestock - DPIRDWaterSmart Dams – Making Dams Work Again - Grower Group AllianceWaterSmart Farms – water security and resilience in a drying climate - DPIRDHub news - Drought Hub