<span;>Torrens Creek grazier Peter Finlay has been left heartbroken after a sudden and rare outbreak of blackleg claimed nearly 40 of his weaner cattle within just a few days. <span;> <span;>Mr. Finlay, who has spent more than 40 years in the cattle industry, said he first noticed nothing unusual during routine checks on his herd. However, within 48 hours, tragedy st <span;>ruck. <span;> <span;>“I was pretty gutted because I hate to lose one, but when you lose a whole mob like that, it’s devastating,” he told ABC News. <span;> <span;>Laboratory tests later confirmed the cause as blackleg
<span;>Torrens Creek grazier Peter Finlay has been left heartbroken after a sudden and rare outbreak of blackleg claimed nearly 40 of his weaner cattle within just a few days. <span;> <span;>Mr. Finlay, who has spent more than 40 years in the cattle industry, said he first noticed nothing unusual during routine checks on his herd. However, within 48 hours, tragedy st <span;>ruck. <span;> <span;>“I was pretty gutted because I hate to lose one, but when you lose a whole mob like that, it’s devastating,” he told ABC News. <span;> <span;>Laboratory tests later confirmed the cause as blackleg yai a fast-acting and often fatal bacterial disease contracted from the soil, known to affect mostly younger cattle. The disease can kill within two days of symptom onset, leaving little time for treatment. <span;> <span;>Historically, blackleg has been more prevalent in central and southern Queensland and New South Wales. The outbreak in Torrens Creek, located about 300 kilometres south-west of Townsville, has shocked local graziers, with cases in North Queensland being extremely rare. <span;> <span;>Mr. Finlay described the deep connection graziers have with their livestock: <span;> <span;> “We look out for our animals before we look after ourselves.” <span;> <span;> <span;>Veterinarians and animal health authorities are now closely monitoring the area to prevent further cases. Vaccination and strict herd health checks are being strongly recommended as the best protection against the disease. <span;> <span;>This incident is a stark reminder of the unpredictable challenges facing Australia’s cattle producers, and the resilience required to navigate such sudden losses. <span;> <span;>Source: ABC News, August 2025 <span;>
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