LIVESTOCK REPORT
Issues to be aware of...
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Calf scours
Both LLS and private vets have received reports of calf scours in the past month. Pathogens that can be involved include viruses like rotavirus and bovine coronavirus, bacteria like E.coli or salmonella, and the protozoan parasite cryptosporidium.
Rotavirus and cryptosporidium are the most common causes in our region, and both may be present at the same time.
Like all infectious diseases, environmental and animal factors play a role in the development of illness. We see more calf scours in a wet year, probably more commonly in calves born later in spring. Calves that don’t receive an adequate quantity of good colostrum are more susceptible. Illness and death are mostly due to dehydration, so treatment should be aimed at replacing fluids and electrolytes.
In herds that experience calf scours regularly, there are some management strategies that should be considered. Periodically moving paddocks during the calving period (leaving cows with calves behind and moving cows that haven’t calved into new paddocks) can reduce the exposure of young calves to pathogens that are shed by older calves. In some herds vaccination may be warranted.
It’s also important to remember that many of the pathogens that cause calf scours can also cause illness in humans, so good hygiene when treating affected animals is important.
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Young calves with scours can rapidly become dehydrated, so should be treated promptly
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Neurological disease in sheep
Our District Vets have investigated several reports of neurological disease in sheep. Metabolic diseases like hypocalcaemia (‘milk fever’) or pregnancy toxaemia can cause general neurological signs like aimless wandering, weakness, tremors, and ultimately coma or death. We’ve seen cases of milk fever and preg tox recently, but in the last month we’ve also identified several other neurological diseases in sheep.
Vitamin B1 deficiency (‘PEM’) can occur due to a change in feed, or less commonly as a result of eating certain toxic plants, but we occasionally also see sporadic cases in sheep that don’t have an obvious cause. Affected sheep may be blind, holding their head back, lying down on their sides, or experiencing seizures.
A disease that can look similar (and which we’ve also diagnosed in the past month) is called ‘FSE’. It is essentially a more chronic form of pulpy kidney, in which damage to the brain causes similar signs to PEM. There have also been cases of phalaris staggers in sheep in the region – affected sheep have muscle tremors (often visible as twitching/nodding of the head) and an abnormal gait.
Because there are lots of neurological diseases that can look quite similar, veterinary investigation is important so that the right treatment and/or preventative measures can be adopted.
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A sheep with PEM - vitamin B1 deficiency
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Lead toxicity in cattle
Lead toxicity is another cause of neurological disease, but it almost always occurs in cattle rather than sheep.
A recent case of lead toxicity in young cattle was found to be caused by access to a car battery. Affected animals were dull and circling, and those that died were often found in fences or dams – suggesting disorientation or blindness prior to death.
In all cases of lead toxicity, District Vets work with producers to test all at-risk cattle, so that no animals with tissue lead residues end up in the human food chain. This is important to protect human health, and to avoid trade impacts due to residue detections in exported products.
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Fragments of lead (from a car battery) in the forestomach of an affected cow
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LIVESTOCK ALERT
To look out for in the weeks ahead...
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Pulpy kidney
Younger sheep on lush pastures are particularly susceptible. Pulpy kidney is caused by clostridium bacteria living in the gut, which produce a toxin that can be rapidly fatal.
Fortunately, vaccine options (such as ‘3-in-1’ or ‘5-in-1’) are available and provide cheap insurance. A full vaccine program involves vaccinating ewes pre-lambing, lambs twice (typically at marking then weaning), followed by annual boosters.
A booster dose may also be worthwhile before putting older lambs onto high-risk feed (such as very lush crops or pastures, or into a feedlot) if they have not had a recent dose.
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Lambs on lush green feed are particularly susceptible to pulpy kidney.
Vaccination is essential
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Benign and virulent footrot
With another very wet spring, we are seeing a few cases of benign and virulent footrot.
Anyone introducing new sheep or goats should inspect the mob at arrival for any signs of lameness. Any suspect footrot must be reported.
All introduced mobs – even those that don’t have any lameness at arrival – should be isolated from the rest of the flock for as long as possible, to prevent spread if an issue does arise. We’ve seen this type of quarantine strategy limit the spread of footrot, which can significantly reduce the impact and cost of eradication.
Click to read more about how to stop the spread of footrot to your flock.
Other causes of lameness in sheep that may be seen in coming weeks include foot abscess, ‘strawberry footrot’, and cathead punctures.
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Virulent footrot with under running of the sole
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Grazing management could be key to fighting the shady solanums
Phil Cranney - Senior Land Services Officer, Pastures
phil.cranney@lls.nsw.gov.au
0458 745 478
With another big season on the way, the biggest long-term issues, other than soil health, are lurking beneath the cover of the lush annual grass growth.
The farmers that have been fighting the dreaded silver-leaf nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium) east of Cowra can attest to that fact. They often spend most of the summer spot spraying the silver-leaf nightshade regrowth and seedlings to ensure they do not go to seed.
The same goes for the farmers in the upper-Belubula River, around Mandurama and Panuara, that have been struggling to find permanent solution to the sticky nightshade (Solanum sisymbriifollim) weed issue dominating un-arable undulating (once productive) pasture country.
We need to attack these solanums with more than just the herbicides that we apply. Click to read about an integrated approach to control.
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Sticky nightshade seedlings are now emerging
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Be on the lookout for cowpea aphids
Clare Edwards - Senior Land Services Officer, Pastures
clare.edwards@lls.nsw.gov.au
0428 435 615
Central Tablelands producers should be on the lookout for cowpea aphids (Aphis craccivora) this spring. These are a common and widespread pest, especially of lucerne crops. However, they can also be found on legume based pastures and other legume crops like field peas and lupins. Given that cowpea aphids are active in spring (and again in autumn), it is worthwhile monitoring pulse crops, lucerne and pasture paddocks for this pest.
Click to read more about this pest and management strategies should you come across it.
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Cowpea aphids congregate along plant stems and under their leaves where they suck on the sap of the plant
Image - Jo Powells, South East LLS
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Soil testing for vegetable crops
Karen OMalley - Senior Land Services Officer, Horticulture and Plant Biosecurity
karen.omalley@lls.nsw.gov.au
0428 103 665
Soil amendment strategies can only be decided if the condition of the soil is known. A soil test is important for several reasons:
- to optimize crop production
- to protect the environment from contamination by runoff and leaching of excess fertilisers
- to aid in the diagnosis of plant health problems
- to save money and conserve energy by applying only the amount of fertiliser needed
Ensuring the soil’s biology levels and soil structure is the best it can be keeps the cost of using fertilisers as low as possible. As no two paddocks will have identical soil related problems, each paddock will need a tailored soil management solution rather than following a rigid “catch all” prescription.
Click to read about a few corrective measures you could try once you have tested your soils.
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After understanding the baseline of your soil's health, you're better able to take action to correct any issues
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Mouse monitoring tool to help stay on top of numbers
Local Land Services has worked with Cotton Info to develop a new mouse monitoring tool, which can help you make better-informed management decisions.
To get started, we’re asking you to use mouse chew cards once a week and record the results by filling out our quick online form.
These results are then fed into an online dashboard so you can see if populations are increasing in your area, so you can quickly respond with a targeted baiting program.
A system like this is only as accurate as the information that is provided, which is why we’re encouraging landholders across the region to regularly engage with this new tool, so it is as useful as possible.
You can find the form, dashboard, and instructions on how to report their own mouse activity on the Local Land Services website at www.lls.nsw.gov.au/mice.
The monitoring tool has been successfully trialled in the North West Local Land Services region around Moree, with more than 150 responses submitted.
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Monitoring, detection and integrated management across farm is crucial for reducing the risk of mouse impacts.
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Catch up on expert advice with recorded webinars
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A-Z of Confinement Feeding Webinar - Part 1
Recorded in September 2021, this is a the first of a two-part webinar series on Confinement Feeding that covers:
- an overview of confinement feeding
- regulations and requirements
- site selection
- stocking densities
- design
- feed requirements
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A-Z of Confinement Feeding Webinar - Part 2
Recorded in October 2021, this is a the second of a two-part webinar series on Confinement Feeding that covers:
- alternate feeds
- fibre, vitamin and mineral requirements
- shade
- water
- animal health and welfare
- budget calculators and other resources
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Fall armyworm – ID, modelling predictions, control and management strategies
Recorded on 8 October 2021, this one-hour webinar provides information on armyworm and Fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) in conjunction with Cesar Australia. Cesar Australia is an independent research and extension company focused on the fields of integrated pest management, conservation and biosecurity.
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Contact a district vet
Your District Veterinarian is a valuable resource for local and independent advice on biosecurity and animal health issues. They can investigate herd and flock problems to help maintain a productive and secure local livestock industry.
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Kate Peffer, Molong
0409 496 908
Nigel Gillan, Cowra
0438 700 398
Bruce Watt, Bathurst
0428 935 559
Amy Masters, Orange
0428 710 002
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Lucienne Downs, Orange
0417 043 966
Jess Bourke, Mudgee
0417 803 685
Emilee Johnstone, Cowra
0419 334 077
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Contact the ag team
The agriculture advisory team supports you in managing your livestock and landscapes by providing support services, pasture and livestock advice and industry training to increase productivity and profitability.
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Phil Cranney, Orange
Pastures
0458 745 478
Clare Edwards, Mudgee
Pastures
0428 435 615
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Brett Littler, Mudgee
Livestock
0427 007 398
Karen O'Malley, Cowra
Horticulture
0428 103 665
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Report any suspicion or outbreak of an emergency animal disease
Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline - 1800 675 888
Emergency animal diseases are likely to have severe consequences for livestock productivity, trade or possibly even human health. By remaining vigilant and acting quickly if you suspect an emergency animal disease, you may be able to prevent these consequences.
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If you know or suspect of a plant pest or disease, call the
Exotic Plant Pest Hotline - 1800 084 881
or use the online notification form
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If you've had a farm visit or over the phone consultation with one of our District Vets or Ag team members, we'd love to know how it went. By rating your interaction with us via a series of smiley faces and a short optional survey, your feedback tells us how we’re going and how we can improve our service delivery. Click here to rate us.
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