BEWARE OF RED FERN TOXICITY
This month we have seen some deaths in cattle due to rock fern (Cheilanthes spp), a small upright native fern. At exactly this time two years ago, there were at least three separate outbreaks of rock fern toxicity in the Mudgee area, so it can be a problem at this time of year. Rock fern is very tolerant of dry conditions, but becomes green and unfurls its fronds immediately after rain. It is often the first plant to become green after rainfall and this is usually when problems arise.
Three different disease types can be seen.
- Acute haemorrhagic disease. Cattle need to graze large amounts of the fern consistently for several weeks before poisoning occurs. Usually young cattle, or those introduced from another district are affected. The toxin, ptaquiloside, depresses bone marrow activity, resulting in fewer red cells, white cells and platelets in circulation. Cattle bleed internally as the blood clotting cascade is impaired. The bleeding is often seen on the surface of the gut. There is no treatment for the bleeding, although in very valuable animals a blood transfusion could be considered. Sometimes antibiotics are prescribed to help prevent infection until the immune system recovers
- Bovine enzootic haematuria. Cattle need to graze small amounts of the fern over a period of years before they develop tumours in the bladder. They pass large quantities of blood (including clots) in the urine. There is no treatment for this condition
- Thiaminase poisoning. This is usually seen in sheep and horses. The thiaminase enzyme causes inactivation of vitamin B1. Affected sheep often “star-gaze”, grind their teeth, then collapse and die. Affected horses often have a low head carriage, stand with their hind legs apart and appear blind. Animals can recover if treated early in the course of the disease.
Bracken fern can also cause all of the above conditions. The only way to prevent these conditions is to ensure that cattle do not have access to rock fern. There are no registered products for control of rock fern, but as the name suggestes it grows in rocky undisturbed situations not in paddocks that have previously been cultivated. Avoiding these paddocks after rain in the autumn, especially with young or newly purchased cattle is the only way to reduce risk of disease.
FREE TESTING FOR Q FEVER NOW BEING OFFERED
Livestock producers can get involved in a Q fever surveillance project aimed at building a better understanding of the disease in both humans and livestock.
Q fever is caused by the bacterium Coxiella burnetti. The animal form of the disease is also known as coxiellosis. Tests to detect the Coxiella burnetii organism in animals are not widely accessible in Australia, however Central Tablelands Local Land Services is funding DNA testing for the organism at the Australian Rickettsial Reference Laboratory in Geelong.
Despite the fact that animals such as sheep, cattle and goats are the primary source of human Q Fever infection, the extent of coxiellosis in the animal population in Australia is poorly understood. It’s not currently known how often infected animals in Australia are shedding the bacteria that causes Q Fever.
The research so far has been limited and there’s not a lot of data on the prevalence of the disease in livestock. If we can gather more information through testing of samples from aborted foetuses and pregnancy fluids we will build our knowledge of this disease.
Central Tablelands Local Land Services District Veterinarian, Lucienne Downs is leading an investigation into coxiellosis exposure in sheep, cattle and goat herds, and she’s seeking farmer cooperation to continue the research. Farmers should let their local vet know as soon as possible if they find unexplained calving or lambing losses. If coxiellosis is considered a potential cause, samples can be submitted by the attending veterinarian through our surveillance project so we can test for the infection.
If a positive result is found in a test sample, private veterinarians and Local Land Services agencies can then work with the affected farmers to introduce protective strategies for humans, as well as implementing procedures to reduce production losses in stock.
Landholders interested in assisting with Local Land Services Q fever surveillance project are asked to contact Dr Lucienne Downs by phone on 0417 043 966 or via email: lucienne.downs@lls.nsw.gov.au.
YOUR HELP NEEDED TO TEST FOR LEPTO AND SWINE BRUCELLOSIS IN FERAL PIGS
Central Tablelands Local Land Services is working on a feral pig disease surveillance project, testing for the infectious diseases leptospirosis and swine brucellosis.
Several recent diagnoses of swine brucellosis in dogs has raised concerns about the disease in the Central Tablelands so we're doing research to find out more about the prevalence of these diseases in the feral pig population across the region.
We’re asking any landholders who might be trapping feral pigs to assist us with this research, by letting us know at least one to two weeks before traps are set. Our vets and biosecurity staff will, with landholder permission, then take blood samples from trapped pigs to test for the presence of leptospirosis and swine brucellosis.
Landholders who take part in the project will be sent the test results for the pigs trapped on their property. Published results will not identify any individual landholder, but may be linked to a general location. The information collected will also provide base line data for use in future research.
NEW BIOSECURITY MANUAL FOR CHERRY GROWERS RELEASED
The second version of the Cherry Growers’ Biosecurity Manual is now available. It provides an up-to-date guide for growers and their consultants and advisors to improve biosecurity on farm.
As well as protecting against pests and diseases already in Australia, farm biosecurity practices can minimise the spread of an exotic pest or disease in the case of the incursion. The manual includes fact sheets on high priority exotic pests and diseases of the cherry industry that were identified through an update to the Biosecurity Plan for the Cherry Industry.
A digital version of the manual can be downloaded here.
SOWING AND WEEDS GUIDES AVAILABLE NOW!
Two handy guides published by NSW DPI are online now!
TAKE PART IN A NATIONAL PEST AND WEED SURVEY
All farm businesses in Australia are invited to participate in the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) national survey on pest animal and weed management for the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources.
The survey is aimed at agricultural businesses covering; broadacre, horticulture, dairy and other livestock enterprises encompassing all Natural Resource Management (NRM) regions. Click here to complete yours.
GROWING INTEREST IN THE PROTECTED CROPPING INDUSTRY IN AUSTRALIA
The Protected Cropping Industry is experiencing a five percent annual growth with significant interest from soil based growers looking to convert to low or medium tech protected cropping.
In response to growing interest, Local Land Services contracted Applied Horticultural Research to develop six short videos designed to support new and existing growers looking at changing from soil based systems.
The videos can be watched as a series or individually.
They include technical content on:
Layout and planning
Setting up a greenhouse
Irrigation management
Nutrient management
Sanitation and cleaning the greenhouse
Pest and disease management
This project has been funded by Hort Innovation using the vegetable research and development levy funds and funds from the Australian Government.
SELLING CATTLE?
If you’re selling cattle soon, look ahead because from a marketing perspective, the issue of lifetime traceability is becoming more and more important.
The National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) is Australia’s scheme for the identification and tracing of livestock. NLIS Cattle has been operating in NSW since 1 July 2004.
NLIS is crucial in protecting and enhancing Australia’s reputation as a producer of quality beef. Australia exports to over 100 markets and is one of the world’s largest red meat exporters. The NLIS allows Australia ongoing access to these valuable export markets.
Central Tablelands Local Land Services is holding a workshop to go over how the NLIS works and why it is important. It will be a practical workshop so we are recommending that you bring your computer or ipad.
When: 13 June 6-9pm
Where: Bathurst RSL
Who: Alison McIntosh from AJM Livestock will facilitate alongside Senior Land Services Officer Livestock, Brett Littler.
For more information please contact Kate McCarthy on kate.mccarthy@lls.nsw.gov.au