LIVESTOCK REPORT
Issues to be aware of...
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Worms
Worms continue to be a problem within the Central Tablelands.
Unusually this year many producers have had high worm counts in lambs still at foot. If you are concerned your lambs may have worms, contact your local private vet for advice as their small size can make treatment difficult.
Adult sheep and cattle have had significant burdens as well. Performing a worm egg count is an effective way to monitor the worm burden in your stock providing objective data to help drench decision making.
For more information visit the Wormboss website.
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Barber's pole worms in the fourth stomach of a sheep
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Wet feet
The continued rain and wet paddocks are still causing havoc with sheep feet.
Putting sheep into drier paddocks where possible can give the skin between the toes a break to dry out. Foot bathing can be used, however care must be taken avoid disrupting lambing stock.
This article from July 2022 talks a bit more about minimising health risks of wet feet.
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Virulent footrot with under running of the sole
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Grass seed contamination
Recently, our district vets have been notified of some lambs suffering heavy trimming at the abattoir for extensive grass seed contamination of the muscle. This generally occurs during summer in native or native dominant pastures, as many native grasses have large awns that can penetrate the hides.
MLA has a helpful guide with more information.
There are multiple management options, so please contact your local private vet or agronomist for advice.
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LIVESTOCK ALERT
To look out for in the weeks ahead...
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Lamb marking
With lambs hitting the ground many producers are beginning to think about lamb marking.
Pain relief at marking is an excellent item to implement for both a welfare and production perspective.
Lambs that received pain relief after marking had significantly higher live weights in the weeks immediately post marking and better sucking ability, potentially increasing lamb survival.
For an in-depth discussion on pain relief see this article we previously prepared for Tablelands Telegraph.
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Mycoplasma ovis
Mycoplasma ovis is a blood parasite that attaches to and destroys red blood cells.
It commonly occurs following periods of stress in younger animals. It is especially common 4-6 weeks post lamb marking showing a large tail in the mob when mustering. Individual lambs will lie down, not want to move and may have pale or yellow gums. This is similar to barber’s pole worm and it is often confused for a high worm burden.
It is spread through contaminated marking equipment (vaccination needles, castration knives, tail docking and mulesing equipment), although shearing cuts can also spread the disease. Using bloodless procedures and excellent equipment hygiene can also help minimise spread.
There is no effective treatment, but minimising stress to lambs for 10 weeks post marking will reduce the likelihood of animals being affected.
If you think you may have mycoplasma ovis in your sheep, please contact your local vet.
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Calf scours
Calf scours are a common illness in calves. It causes damage to the lining of the intestines, causing significant water loss into the gut. This causes severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalances that can cause shock and possibly death.
Treatment is replacing the lost fluid and electrolytes, with antibiotics possibly being used, although many cases are caused by viruses.
Prevention is better than a cure and ensuring that cows and calves are healthy, calves drink colostrum in the first 12 hrs and removing any sick calves to a hospital paddock can help limit the effect on the rest of the herd.
Producers can maximise the benefit of colostrum by vaccinating their cows 4 weeks before calving.
For more advice about scours or vaccination protocols, contact your local vet.
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Practical weed biosecurity options
Phil Cranney - Senior Land Services Officer, Pastures
phil.cranney@lls.nsw.gov.au
0458 745 478
At our recent farm biosecurity planning sessions held across the region, we discussed various pathways that weeds can enter your property. Among these were visitors, contractors and utility providers such as electrical meter readers.
Read more about requesting biosecurity procedures and my top 5 tips to protect your farm from invasive weeds.
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This video from our neighbours at Hunter Local Land Services shows you simple biosecurity steps you can take to reduce weed spread.
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2022-23 orchard plant protection guide
The orchard plant protection guide for deciduous fruits in NSW 2022 – 23 is now available for producers. It is available online and as a hard copy in Central Tablelands Local Land Services offices.
This annual guide covers sections on varroa mites, pests, beneficial management, and diseases. It also has sections on IPDM resources for apples and pears. It includes information on apple, stone fruit and persimmon development stages. Importantly, it also covers chemical management tools, nutrient sprays, information on managing weeds, pesticide resistance and applying pesticides and your responsibilities.
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Springtime pasture maintenance
Phil Cranney - Senior Land Services Officer, Pastures
phil.cranney@lls.nsw.gov.au
0458 745 478
With a large chunk of the next few weeks not showing any significant rainfall events on the long term, not necessarily accurate, weather forecasts, we turn our attention to the fast-growing pastures.
Lack of sunlight, waterlogging in some cases, and low soil temperatures have been the major handbrake for the pasture on the central tablelands for the past 5 months.
However, with longer days and less overcast days, we will see rapid growth from pastures on healthy soils.
Read what I think are the 6 critical factors to consider in this peak pasture production period.
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Grazing management - sort the grain from the chaff
Phil Cranney - Senior Land Services Officer, Pastures
phil.cranney@lls.nsw.gov.au
0458 745 478
For a temperate pasture dominant grazing system, the next 8 months (October to May) are the most crucial period for nailing your grazing management, in terms of environmental and livestock performance goals.
To help you assess appropriate management options, I have written a summary about grazing management experiments including an overview of the grazing treatments applied and what lessons were learnt - click to read.
On Friday 23 September we're hosting an event that gives producers an opportunity to look at an ongoing experiment at the Orange Agricultural Institute and its treatments in detail and assess the differences yourself. Visit our website for more information and to book.
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SOIL HEALTH WORKSHOP - ORANGE
Want to know more about your farm’s biggest asset? Join us as we investigate the physical, chemical and biological properties of soil. In a small group over two sessions, we will discuss the key drivers of a healthy soil.
Friday 23 September 2022
UNDERSTANDING THE BIGGER PICTURE OF GRAZING MANAGEMENT - ORANGE
Ever wondered if grazing management can improve soil carbon? The this is the field day for you. Get your evidenced based research from the horse's/scientist's mouth.
Friday 23 September 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, Orange
0438 700 398
Lucienne Downs, Orange
0417 043 966
Bruce Watt, Bathurst
0428 935 559
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Jess Bourke, Mudgee
0417 803 685
Emilee Johnstone, Cowra
(Mon-Wed)
0419 334 077
Evie Duggan, Cowra
(Wed-Fri)
0427 147 939
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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
0438 302 501
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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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