LIVESTOCK REPORT
Issues to be aware of...
|
|
|
Coccidiosis
Coccidiosis was identified as the cause of diarrhoea and deaths in a mob of 6-month-old merino lambs. The lambs had been introduced from interstate, and illness was first observed a couple of weeks after arrival. Coccidia are protozoan parasites (like Cryptosporidium, which we discussed in last month’s update) that live in the intestines, and they most often cause disease in younger animals, particular when other stress factors are present. These stress factors can include over-crowding, poor nutrition, cold/wet weather, or scour worm burdens.
The disease causes diarrhoea – sometimes containing blood and mucus – and can be fatal, particularly in animals that are already weak and in poor condition.
Treatment and management of the disease should be focussed on reducing exposure (by avoiding over-crowding), improving nutrition, treating any concurrent worm burden by drenching, and removing other stress factors if possible.
Coccidiosis will often resolve following these management changes, but medical treatments are also available. Coccidiosis can be seen in many species, including cattle, goats, pigs, and poultry.
|
|
|
|
|
Coccidiosis in lambs can cause diarrhoea. Scour worms or bacterial infections can cause similar symptoms, so investigation to confirm the diagnosis is worthwhile.
|
|
Sheep lice
Sheep lice can be a costly issue, due to reduced wool income and the expense of chemical treatments to suppress and eradicate the infestation.
It is particularly frustrating when lice arrive on purchased sheep or strays from a neighbour’s flock. Good biosecurity practices like the inspection and isolation of new arrivals or strays can help detect a problem early, but unfortunately signs like fleece derangement may only become obvious many months after lice transmission has occurred – by which time the infestation is likely to have become widespread in the flock.
Lice can be eradicated from a flock using off-shears or short-wool treatments. It’s important to keep in mind that long-wool treatments will only suppress (not eradicate) lice – split shearings, ongoing strays, or failure to achieve a complete muster can also cause lice eradication attempts to fail.
Back to top
|
|
|
|
An adult sheep louse
Photo - NSW DPI
|
|
Benign footrot
We’ve diagnosed numerous cases of benign footrot (sometimes called ‘scald’) in the past month.
Benign footrot is caused by less severe strains of the same bacteria that causes virulent footrot, and in prolonged wet conditions the disease can progress to cause some degree of ‘under-running’ of the sole of the hoof, as well as interdigital dermatitis that can cause irritation and discomfort, leading to lameness.
Unlike virulent footrot, benign footrot never progresses to cause severe under-running in a large proportion of the flock, and tends to almost completely self-resolve once conditions dry out.
|
|
|
|
|
Benign footrot can cause dermatitis between the toes, but rarely leads to severe 'under-running' of the hoof.
|
|
LIVESTOCK ALERT
To look out for in the weeks ahead...
|
|
|
Lumpy wool
M any parts of our region would typically be experiencing hotter, dry conditions by mid-November, but the mild, wet weather this year means we’re still likely to see issues like lumpy wool (dermatophilosis or ‘dermo’).
Lumpy wool is a bacterial infection – the milder forms (like scabs or flaky skin on the ears or muzzle) have little impact, but more widespread dermo can cause significant production and welfare impacts, particularly in young lambs.
In any sheep in spring and summer, lumpy wool can also lead to flystrike – a real risk this year.
|
|
|
|
|
Lumpy wool in a young lamb.
|
|
Barber's pole worm
Barber’s Pole worms are blood suckers – they cause anaemia (low red blood cells), which can rapidly lead to lethargy, weakness, ‘bottle jaw’, and ultimately death.
We encourage producers to perform regular egg counts to monitor worm burdens, and to ensure an effective drench is used whenever treatment is required.
Using combination drenches or products containing newer chemical groups reduces the chance of ineffective treatment due to drench resistance, but a post-drench egg count (or full ‘drench resistance trial’ – which our District Vets can assist you with) is the only way to truly know which drenches are still working on your property.
|
|
|
|
|
Barber's Pole worms in the abomasum ('fourth stomach') of a sheep.
|
|
Tropical grasses are kryptonite for summer perennial weeds
Phil Cranney - Senior Land Services Officer, Pastures
phil.cranney@lls.nsw.gov.au
0458 745 478
The top three summer perennial weed supervillains to look out for this spring are:
- Blue heliotrope (Heliotropium amplexicaule)
- Silverleaf nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium)
- Sticky nightshade (Solanum sisymbriifolium)
Herbicides often get all the attention for the control of these supervillains, but the true heroes of this story are the beneficial perennial grasses that stop these perennial weeds from invading your productive paddocks.
However, there is good evidence to suggest that there are alternatives to herbicide control of these top four invasive weeds.
Of course, the big advantage that some farmers have is the ability to cultivate and sow crops in these paddocks. In this scenario, we can use the Batman and Robin, double punch to help defeat the enemy. “Robin” is the short-term crop and “Batman” is the preparation and establishment of a long-term perennial tropical grass.
Click to read more about this weed-fighting super-duo.
|
|
|
Top three summer perennial weed supervillains to look out for this spring:
Blue heliotrope, silverleaf nightshade and sticky nightshade
|
|
Yorkshire fog - a useful pasture species or undesirable perennial grass?
Clare Edwards - Senior Land Services Officer, Pastures
clare.edwards@lls.nsw.gov.au
0428 435 615
This spring, we have seen major growth in our pastures across the Central Tablelands. One of the grass species that is currently flowering is Yorkshire fog (Holcus lanatus). This is an introduced cool-season perennial grass that is native to Europe. It is commonly found in wetter areas of pastures, drainage lines and on roadsides.
Flowering in spring, Yorkshire fog often looks like a phalaris seed head to begin with, closed and green. Later it opens up to a more purplish – white seed head. A distinguishing feature is the leaves which are covered in fine hairs which are velvety to the touch.
There is ongoing discussion regarding the usefulness of Yorkshire fog as a pasture plant. Click to read about its place in grazing regimes and management options.
|
|
|
|
Yorkshire fog is a large, robust grass that is regarded as a valuable fodder grass in the northern hemisphere
|
|
Managing sheep over summer
Brett Littler - Senior Land Services Officer, Livestock
brett.littler@lls.nsw.gov.au
0427 007 398
The current good feed supply does not mean that good sheep production will necessarily follow. Small increases in the body weight and fat score of your sheep can and will determine a number of profit drivers of you flock. Most of these are well documented like conception rates of ewes and survival rates of lambs and weaners. This summer is shaping up as one we need to manage to ensure we capture this potential.
Small increases in weaning weight will make big difference to weaner survival, for example; a 14kg weaner has a 34% lower mortality risk than a 12kg weaner.
Click to read more.
|
|
|
|
Sheep prices are high, but management will be required to realise potential profits
|
|
Joining period for cattle - it's your choice
Brett Littler - Senior Land Services Officer, Livestock
brett.littler@lls.nsw.gov.au
0427 007 398
With bulls out and about joining up with spring calving herds, I thought it time to remind producers that it is your choice how long the bulls stay in with the cows and that this has a big influence on a number of factors. A long joining means longer calving and an extended calving leads to:
- Greater chances of feed shortages
- Greater variation in calf live weight and size (this was a major issue when early weaning during the drought)
- Less heifers reaching suitable joining weight to calve at 2 years. This can have several issues, including calving problems
- Loss of potential income
Click to read about the difference between extended and compact calving.
|
|
|
|
What's the difference between extended and compact calving?
|
|
Top tips for fall armyworm management
With maize and sorghum cropping well underway in the north of the state, producers are urged to be vigilant for the presence of Fall Armyworm. Although there have not been any fall armyworm detections in or around the Central Tablelands this season, it is a good idea to be informed by knowing what to look for and to keep an eye out.
To assist producers, NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) has compiled a list of top tips for fall armyworm management, which you can find by visiting www.lls.nsw.gov.au/faw
For more information on these management tips, you can contact Dr Lisa Bird, Senior Research Scientist at NSW DPI:
If you think you’ve found the signs of fall armyworm, email clear images with your name, location, crop type and phone number to fallarmyworm@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Early signs of fall armyworm damage include windowing of leaves where larvae have hatched and small shot holes as leaves expand, caused by larvae feeding in the developing leaf whorl.
Small larvae are difficult to identify, and growers are encouraged to keep suspect larvae on host crop leaves until they can be more easily identified by clear photographs of the head and tail sections.
|
|
|
Damage inflicted on corn plants by fall armyworm
Photo - Queensland DAF
|
|
Upcoming events
Scats and tracks workshop - Saturday 20 November - KANIMBLA
Join us for a practical and interactive workshop that will help you develop skills to identify what pest animals are living on your property. Mark Lamb from Pest Lures has over 20 years’ experience working in the pest animal space and will teach you all you need to know about pest animal scats and tracks.
Click to register
Aphids - Tuesday 23 November - WEBINAR
Together with Central West Local Land Services, we are bringing you a webinar focusing on aphid pests. Dr Lizzy Lowe from Cesar Australia will cover identification of key aphid crop pests and explain the importance of correct ID for issues such as insecticide resistance. We will also be joined by NSW Department of Primary Industries entomologist Zoricia Duric who will discuss aphid management in NSW.
Click to register
|
|
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.
|
|
Kate Peffer, Molong
0409 496 908
Nigel Gillan, Cowra
0438 700 398
Bruce Watt, Bathurst
0428 935 559
Amy Masters, Orange
0428 710 002
|
|
Lucienne Downs, Orange
0417 043 966
Jess Bourke, Mudgee
0417 803 685
Emilee Johnstone, Cowra
0419 334 077
|
|
|
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.
|
|
Phil Cranney, Orange
Pastures
0458 745 478
Clare Edwards, Mudgee
Pastures
0428 435 615
Casey Proctor, Cowra
Agricultural systems
0429 110 072
|
|
Brett Littler, Mudgee
Livestock
0427 007 398
Karen O'Malley, Cowra
Horticulture
0428 103 665
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
Connect with us!
Click on the icons below to visit us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and our website
|
|
|
|
|
