Preparing Your Cattle for Monsoon Season: A Health Checklist

Monsoon season brings welcome relief from the heat, but it also raises the risk of foot rot, waterborne disease and parasite load in cattle herds. A little preparation goes a long way.

Before the rains arrive: ensure sheds have adequate drainage and raised, dry standing areas, and schedule a herd health check with your veterinarian.

During the season: inspect hooves weekly for early signs of foot rot, keep water troughs clean to reduce parasite and bacterial load, and maintain your deworming schedule since wet grazing conditions favour parasite transmission.

Vaccination timing: foot-and-mouth disease and other seasonal risks often peak around the monsoon — confirm your herd's FMD vaccination status is current before the season begins.

A proactive monsoon health plan protects both animal welfare and farm productivity through the wettest months of the year.