The health, nutrition and management of livestock are inextricably interrelated. As drought sets in, under-nutrition will threaten animal health unless management is changed to prevent problems occurring. In Australia, drought is part of the expected management cycle, and all producers should plan in advance what they will do when feed or water runs short. This Primefact looks at:

• preventative herd health programs;
• water management;
• feed management;
• recognising sick cattle;
• feed-related illnesses occurring during drought;
• diseases unrelated to feed;
• parasites in drought.