Investigations of antibiotic residues in bobby calves have identified several areas where the on-farm use of antibiotics can be improved.

These include animal identification and isolation, records of slaughter withholding periods for treated calves, prevention of cross contamination through calf feeders and observance of label directions that prohibit feeding milk from antibiotic-treated cows to calves.

NSW Department of Primary Industries veterinary officer based at Orange, Lee Cook, said dairy farmers should be aware that the detection of antibiotic residues in bobby calves would lead to a $1000 penalty notice.

"Several NSW dairy farmers have received penalty notices following investigations of residues detected in bobby calves," he said.

"Dairy producers, and those selling bobby calves for slaughter, should use appropriate on-farm quality assurance, and provide National Vendor Declarations (NVDs) when selling calves, to avoid such fines.

"Producers need to ensure their bobby calves are not treated with any medicines that require them to be withheld from slaughter as most bobby calves are sold for slaughter when they are five days old in accordance with animal welfare requirements.

"All the antibiotics used to treat calf diseases, particularly scours, require that the calves be withheld from slaughter for between 14 and 21 days."

Mr Cook said bobby calves slaughtered at export and domestic abattoirs are monitored for antibiotic residues through the industry-funded National Antimicrobial Residue Monitoring program.

State authorities undertake detailed investigations if residues exceed trigger levels - usually half the maximum residue limit that is allowed under Australian food standards.

"In NSW, owners and managers of treated animals are legally required to advise any likely buyer if an animal is still within a withholding period," Mr Cook said.

"The fact that animals are mixed up, treated accidentally, or sold early, is not an excuse for sending an animal with residues to slaughter."

The dairy industry has a program to ensure bobby calves are included in farmers’ quality assurance programs, including the Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) program.

As part of this program, farmers are required to provide a declaration specific to bobby calves when they sell them.

These NVDs also help to make sure producers and carriers comply with welfare considerations relating to calf travel.

Complete information about managing bobby calves is on the Dairy Australia website at www.dairyaustralia.com.au/content/view/285/258/ under the heading Duty of Care for Calves - Information Kit.

In order to use the LPA bobby calf NVD, producers must be accredited with the LPA program.

Producers not yet accredited with LPA can call 1800 683 111 to complete the accreditation process.

Visit Meat and Livestock Australia’s website, www.mla.com.au/lqs for information on how to obtain the NVD.