INSTANT and longer acting pain relief is playing an important role in caring for valuable Wagyu calves on Shamrock Vale Station.
Leading hand Nathan Goulding said the squirt-on gel Tri-Solfen provided immediate pain relief and stopped bleeding as well as infection following routine animal husbandry procedures, including dehorning.
"Animal welfare is our highest standard," Mr Goulding said.
"We want to have everything happy and healthy. When people drive past we want them to see the Goshu Wagyus in their prime."
Mr Goulding said he had first seen Tri-Solfen demonstrated at Beef Week in Rockhampton, as well as being used on other cattle.
"As Wagyu is a horned breed, we were interested in it, so we purchased some to give it a try," he said.
"With the pain, dehorning doesn't seem to worry their heads so much and it stops the bleeding fairly well.
"We find Tri-Solfen does give 24 hour pain relief. Not that we'd had too, but we would give a second dose if we thought it was needed."
Mr Goulding said it was notable that by providing pain relief the Wagyu calves did not suffer a setback.
"With Tri-Solfen they seem to relax a lot quicker and go back on their mums and drink.
"We find that because the calves are staying on their mums we are not seeing any weight loss.
"The calves seem a lot happier, so while they're happy, we'll keep using it."
The calves seem a lot happier, so while they're happy, we'll keep using it.
- Nathan Goulding, Shamrock Vale Station
Shamrock Vale has a herd of about 300 fullblood Wagyu breeders plus other commercial cattle.
Shamrock Vale's highly regarded Goshu herd is based Tajima genetics, arguably the most famous of all the Wagyu bloodlines originating in Japan.
Tajima animals are noted for their excellent meat eating quality, with a large eye muscle and superior marbling.
In fact, in 2016 beef from a beast sired by a Goshu bull was named the 'World's Best Steak'.
Tri-Solfen was initially developed as a pain relief product for the sheep industry, most notably mulesing, but has also been widely adopted in the cattle industry.
The blue gel administered using a redesigned applicator gun. It contained two local anaesthetics, lignocane and bupivivaine, plus adrenalin to stop bleeding and an antiseptic to prevent infection.
Shamrock Vale Station is located on the Albert River in the picturesque Kerry Valley south of Beaudesert.
The highly productive property covers 1820 hectares (4500 acres), including 240ha of irrigation. The country ranges from irrigated, fertile alluvial flats to hill country, delivering magnificent views across the Scenic Rim.
Cattle Council of Australia has released of guide to pain relief for necessary animal husbandry practices.