LIVESTOCK REPORT
Issues to be aware of...
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Bovine respiratory disease (BRD)
There have been several cases of bovine respiratory disease complex (BRD) in cattle diagnosed across the region in the last month.
BRD is called a “disease complex” because there are a number of viruses and bacteria that can cause the disease. Generally, there is one or more sources of stress to the cattle that allow the viruses, then bacteria, to infect the lungs.
Stressors can include a change of diet, transportation, mixing cattle from different sources, big changes in weather conditions. or a period off feed. Not surprisingly, it is common in feedlots, but we also see BRD commonly in more extensive operations.
Since most of the bacteria and viruses are very common in the cattle population, the best way to reduce the impact of BRD is to control the stressors as much as possible and avoid multiple stressors at the same time.
Vaccinations against some of the bacteria and viruses involved in BRD are available, but these are not a substitute for reducing stress.
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Post mortem showing an infection in calf lungs
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Brucellosis
A case of brucellosis has been diagnosed in a pig dog in the region. The disease is caused by the bacteria Brucella suis, and is usually transmitted to dogs by close contact with pigs.
The disease is zootnotic, which means it can also spread to people, and can cause severe disease in children and pregnant women.
Affected dogs may have enlarged testicles, back pain, lameness. Female dogs may abort if pregnant. Some dogs show no signs of disease at all.
To reduce the risk of your dogs contracting brucellosis
- Do not feed raw pig meat to animals
- Do not allow pig hunting dogs to eat or play with pig carcases
- Wash dogs after hunting
- If dogs are wounded while hunting, wear PPE to wash wounds and then take the dog to a vet
If you are concerned that your dog may have brucellosis, please contact your private veterinarian.
Click for more information.
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Polioencephalomalacia (PEM)
PEM is caused by low thiamine (vitamin B1) levels. In ruminants, thiamin is produced by rumen microbes rather than being eaten directly. The lack of thiamin is therefore usually due to enzymes that break down thiamine in the rumen. PEM can occur after grazing bracken fern, diets or water high in sulfur, dietary changes and stressful events.
Affected sheep and cattle generally become blind and adopt a “star gazing” posture with the head extended back.
Several other diseases can appear very similar to PEM, including some diseases exotic to Australia, so veterinary diagnosis is important. Early treatment can lead to recovery, if treatment is delayed the disease is fatal.
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LIVESTOCK ALERT
To look out for in the weeks ahead...
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Internal parasites
Worms have been causing problems in sheep all summer, and we expect that problems will continue given that pastures are likely to be very contaminated with worm larvae.
Did you know it takes around three months in the hottest months and six months in the coldest months for worm larvae in a paddock to die and for a paddock to be considered “clean”?
Continued monitoring via regular (monthly) worm eggs counts, and management by drenching with an appropriate drench containing at least two actives, pasture management and grazing strategies is vital to prevent losses.
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Barbers pole worms in the abomasum ('fouth stomach') of a sheep
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Iodine deficiency
Iodine deficiency in pregnant ewes can lead to the birth of lambs that are more likely to die shortly after birth and can have a huge impact on weaning rates. Sometimes, but not always, the lambs have “goitre” – visible enlargement of the thyroid gland.
High rainfall and subsequent good pasture growth are risk factors for low iodine intake. Grazing brassicas can also lead to the symptoms of iodine deficiency.
Iodine deficiency can be prevented by drenching pregnant ewes with 280mg potassium iodide in mid and late pregnancy and should be considered on properties that have previously had lambs born with goitre.
Click to read more.
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Sometimes, but not always, the lambs have “goitre” – visible enlargement of the thyroid gland
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Monitoring for evidence of abortion
District vets often receive calls about poor marking or weaning rates in sheep flocks. Investigating these problems can often be frustrating, because if the problem was due to abortions, it occurred several months ago.
Monitoring pregnant ewes for evidence of abortion (blood stain on the breech) is important, as it allows investigations to be initiated sooner.
Abortion investigations have the highest chance of getting a diagnosis if aborted foetuses and placentas are examined so knowing that there is a problem and trying to obtain appropriate samples is vital.
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NSW Pesticides Regulations s57 exemptions - what does it mean for you?
Karen O'Malley - Senior Land Services Officer, Horticulture and Plant Biosecurity
karen.omalley@lls.nsw.gov.au
0428 103 665
The new Section 57 exemption allows extrapolation to treat weeds not currently specified on the label.
The short story is that permits like PER13274 to treat silverleaf nightshade are no longer required in NSW because the crops/situations, application rates and timings on the permit are already approved on label.
The long story is that the selection of which herbicides to use and the critical use comments which provide best practice information will no longer be available to reference via permit. This places a greater responsibly for users to review the comprehensive information provided by NSW DPI's Weedwise database, management guides or the excellent WeedsAustralia (formerly Weeds CRC) website in order to choose the best chemical and use it to achieve optimal results.
The NSW DPI farm chemicals team is also available to provide advice on best practice on the legal requirements you must follow. Email the team for more information.
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Post-harvest handling of vegetables
Karen O'Malley - Senior Land Services Officer, Horticulture and Plant Biosecurity
karen.omalley@lls.nsw.gov.au
0428 103 665
A new handbook outlining the best and most cost-effective ways for handling vegetables in the post-harvest period is now available.
The handbook includes technical information on general post-harvest principles, from understanding the effects of storage atmosphere to how to evaluate and manage produce quality. It also includes best-practice guides for 23 key vegetable crops, and quick reference tables for storage and transport.
Click here to download a pdf version of the vegetable postharvest book.
Visit the postharvest website that provides information from the postharvest book, plus detailed factsheets for selected vegetable crops, and fast look up tables of the key information.
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Winning combinations for your pasture production team
Phil Cranney - Senior Land Services Officer, Pastures
phil.cranney@lls.nsw.gov.au
0427 007 398
As the winter sports kick off this month, each team puts their winning combination on the field to ensure that they are in the hunt for the premiership in October.
On your farm, it is a good time to reassess your profit maximising strategy to give your business the best chance of being on the top of the ladder coming into spring.
Many cropping enterprises are reassessing their crop selection given the potential for big wheat prices, so too should livestock enterprises adjust their stocking rate to maximise pasture utilisation.
The four keys to success this playing/growing season are:
- Fitness and conditioning
- The engine room
- Playmakers
- Teamwork
Click to read how to put your team together this season.
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Put your winning combination on the field this season
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Join us at the 2022 Carbon Forum
The 2022 Carbon Forum, jointly hosted by NSW Department of Primary Industries' Farm Business Resilience Program, Climate Change Research Strategy and NSW Local Land Services, is designed to provide farmers with information on the production benefits of on-farm carbon management and practical information on accessing carbon markets.
Throughout the three-day forum in April 2022, farmers will have the opportunity to learn from other farmers, scientists and industry stakeholders about current feasible and emerging options for on-farm emissions reduction and carbon sequestration. This will allow integrated carbon farming activities to be embedded into everyday farm businesses.
Secure your tickets here.
For further information please contact Casey Proctor via casey.proctor@lls.nsw.gov.au or email farmbusiness@dpi.nsw.gov.au.
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RED LEGGED EARTH MITE - WEBINAR
Redlegged earth mites can cause significant damage to seedling crops in autumn resulting in yield penalties or even crop wipe outs. Find out how you can identify, manage and overcome this pest problem at our webinar with researchers from Cesar Australia.
Friday 25 March 2022
PASTURE PLANT ID WALK - OBERON & HARTLEY
Learn how to recognise some of the more common pasture plants in your area. Join us as we look at the recognition features on some of the local grasses, clovers and broad leaf weeds that are in our paddocks this year, with a specific focus on native grasses. Participants will receive a ‘Grasses of the NSW Tablelands’ book.
Tuesday 29 March 2022 - Oberon
Saturday 2 April 2022 - Hartley
SOIL HEALTH WORKSHOP - WOODSTOCK
Over two sessions, learn how you can improve soil health, your farm's biggest asset. You will learn practical methods of field assessment and fundamental sampling techniques. If you have a farm of 10ha or more in the Central Tablelands Local Land Services region you will be eligible for two free soil tests. Day one date below, with day two taking place approx 4-6 weeks after.
Thursday 26 May 2022
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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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Rhys Powell, Orange
0428 710 002
Nigel Gillan, Cowra
0438 700 398
Bruce Watt, Bathurst
0428 935 559
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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
Casey Proctor, Cowra
Agricultural Systems
0429 110 072
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Brett Littler, Mudgee
Livestock
0427 007 398
Claudia Macleay, Bathurst
Livestock
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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