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WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Have your say in our short survey and tell us what you feel are the key issues facing your land in the Central Tablelands.
Your feedback is really valuable and it helps inform planning our services and project delivery.
Click for more info and to take the survey
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LIVESTOCK DISEASE REPORT
A few recent issues to be aware of...
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Blowfly strike
The recent rain and warm weather are continuing to provide favourable conditions for blowfly strike in sheep.
Adult sheep blowflies (Lucilia cuprina), lay eggs in moist warm wool on sheep, such as wool stained by faeces and urine and wool around wounds. Eggs hatch within 8-24hrs and the maggots immediately start feeding on the sheep, damaging the skin and underling tissues and attracting more blowflies to the area.
If not treated the struck areas rapidly spread leading to massive protein loss, dehydration, septicaemia and death.
Treatment involves shearing the affected area and applying a topical preparation to kill and repel flies and maggots. Systemic antibiotics and pain relief may also be required as well as oral rehydration.
Short term prevention strategies include shearing and crutching to limit faecal and urine contamination of the wool as well as adequate worm control to limit dags around the breach.
Strategic chemical application to repel flies is also necessary. During favourable conditions sheep should be checked regularly to identify and treat affected or at-risk animals.
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If not treated, blowfly strike can rapidly spread, leading to massive protein loss, dehydration, septicaemia and death
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Barber’s pole worm
With the recent rain and heat continue to monitor stock for Barber’s Pole worm. As mentioned in the November Ag Advice, this worm lives in the abomasum of sheep where it sucks blood causing anaemia.
Clinical signs of infected sheep include, weakness, lethargy, collapse when mustering, pale gums and conjunctiva, bottle jaw and death. Monitoring WEC and larval differentiations are essential in Barber’s Pole management.
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Ewe with bottle jaw
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LIVESTOCK DISEASE ALERT
To look out for in the weeks ahead...
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Heat stress
Approaching summer be mindful of heatwave conditions that will affect livestock. Extreme heat stress causes significant stress on animals. Signs of heat stress in livestock include:
- Increased respiratory rate/ panting and open mouth breathing
- Protruding tongues and drooling
- Lethargy and reluctance to move
- Increased water intake
- Reduced food intake/ grazing
- Sweating
- Unconsciousness (severe).
Heat stress affects the welfare and health of livestock resulting in decreased production, infertility and compromised immune systems leading to increased susceptibility to disease.
Different animals have differing abilities to cope with heat, depending on their previous adaptation to heat, their breed, coat colour, age and health. During heatwaves the most vulnerable livestock will be the young, and any that are sick, particularly if they have a respiratory illness. During these conditions be sure to regularly check on your stock.
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Water requirements for sheep and cattle
As we move into the hottest part of the year it’s imperative all producers are aware of the water requirements of their stock. The average water requirements of different classes of stock are listed below.
| Stock Type |
Consumption per head per day (L) |
| Weaner sheep |
Up to 4 |
| Adult dry sheep |
Up to 6 |
| Ewes with lambs |
Up to 10 |
| Lactating cows |
Up to 100 |
| Weaner cattle |
Up to 50 |
| Yearling cattle |
Up to 80 |
Water quality and temperature are also extremely important. Sheep particularly, but also cattle will avoid drinking dirty water. Make sure troughs are cleaned regularly and monitor for dust and faecal contamination. Monitoring animal behaviour is also important. If animals are only drinking from the flowing end of a trough it can indicate a water quality problem. Monitoring water quality is also essential when relying on surface water (dams and creeks) and if contaminated, another water source must be provided.
Water temperature can rise dramatically in troughs during summer significantly reducing stock intake. Water temperature in small volume and PCV troughs can increase rapidly therefore, these water sources should be shaded and monitored regularly. Pipes supplying troughs should ideally be buried underground as water in troughs fed by pipes lying above the ground can very quickly reach high temperatures.
It is also important when purchasing new stock to ensure they know where water sources are in their new paddock and again if relying on dams, check they have adequate water volume and quality before introducing stock.
Ensuring animals have access to ample shade and only working stock during the coolest parts of the day will also reduce the risk of heat stress.
For more information please see the following links:
Water requirements for cattle and sheep
Stock water – a limited resource
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Stock can and will drink DOUBLE their normal intake during a heatwave
or following exercise such as yarding/moving.
Image - NSW DPI
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Have you seen an exotic leafminer?
 Serpentine leafminer (Liriomyza huidobrensis) is an exotic insect pest that has been detected in NSW. The infestation was reported by a producer to the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline from a market garden situated in western Sydney on 22 October 2020. Since then, it has been found on several more properties including regional NSW and QLD. The host range of serpentine leafminer is extensive including vegetables, ornamentals, and many weed species.
As it is not technically feasible to eradicate this new pest. Industry will focus on managing pathways of spread, abating domestic trade issues to retain market access, and promote effective ways of managing the pest on farms.
Serpentine leafminer can be spread through infested plants and leaf material, soil contaminated machinery and adults can fly short distances. What are your current farm biosecurity safeguards?
Proactively, AUSVeg has prepared for a new leafminer incursion by funding some excellent research for managing this new pest. There are promising natural enemies such as parasitic wasps and new chemical permits available. DPI have produced a comprehensive fact sheet outlining current management options.
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If you suspect damage from a native or exotic leafminer, only a sample will tell. Please call the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline
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Legumes in pasture preparation
Phil Cranney - Senior Land Services Officer, Pastures
phil.cranney@lls.nsw.gov.au
0458 745 478
It was a massive year for sub-clover this year, but how do we set ourselves up for another big clover bounty for 2021?
Here are my top five tips to ensure that you have sub-clover thriving in your perennial pastures in 2021
- Soil test pasture paddocks for pH, phosphorus and suplhur
- Address deficits in pH (>5.5), P (depends on PBI, colwell phosphorus should be > 25-38) & S (>8)
- Add Mo (if you haven't in the last four years) in your Single Super application if your pH is below 5 (CaCl)
- Let the light in, reduce pasture biomass - by mid-February for high (>900m) altitude tablelands, by mid March for (>600-900m) tablelands, and by mid April for (<600m) slopes
- Reduce/eliminate the use of certain herbicides that can have a severe detrimental effect on the rhizobia (see below for more details on current research)
NSW DPI researcher, Jessica Rigg, found that "herbicides that contained active ingredients glyphosate, 2,4 D amine, metsulfuron methyl and a combination of dicamba and MCPA (4-chloro-2-methyphenxy acetic acid) were most toxic directly at high concentrations (closer to when herbicides are applied than residual concentrations in soil) to the rhizobial strains tested".
Herbicide residues are also being evaluated in this trial, and "so far, residues of dicamba+MCPA, Group B herbicides (e.g. metsulfuron methyl), clopyralid are proving particularly damaging across all host legumes causing yellowing, distortion and in some cases, significant reductions in stand density."
Some farmers practice a legume paddock rotation, whereby they allow a large biomass to be sustained through autumn and winter in some paddocks ear-marked for high feed demand livestock such as early lactation cows or lactating ewes with twins. Whereas other paddocks are grazed hard (<1500kgs/Ha DM) from early autumn to early spring to ensure an excellent germination and subsequent flowering of sub-clover.
This strategy balances the feed demand of animals with the need to replenish the hard seeded clover bank of seed. It is actually a very simple but effective way of managing climate and market risk.
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2020 was a big year for sub-clover
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How fireproof is your animal emergency plan?
It is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to bushfires, so it is important for landholders to ask how fireproof their animal emergency plans are.
Following large amounts of rain across the region, vegetation has grown quickly bringing with it the risk of grass fires this summer.
Being prepared is the key to minimising the impacts of fire on your property. Here are just a few things you can do to get ready:
Prepare low-risk areas where stock can access water and where bushfire fuel is minimal. These paddocks should be large enough to allow stock to move away from the fire and ideally be protected by a road or a 3-6 m ploughed fire break.
Create or review your Animal Emergency Plan and Farm Fire Plans. These can be downloaded from the SES and RFS websites, respectively.
Ensure all your animals are identified, ideally with National Livestock Identification System ear tags, and that all horses, cats and dogs are microchipped.
Consider keeping hay stored at multiple locations to minimise risk of loss. Ensure sheds are protected with a fire break or that fuel levels around them are minimised.
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With the potential for millions of dollars worth of loss and damage, you can’t afford not to have a plan for your property
Image - Nick Moir - Sir Ivan fires 2017
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Native vegetation regulatory map feedback
LLS is currently working with NSW Department of Planning, Industry & Environment on a project to gather landholder feedback regarding the Native Vegetation Regulatory (NVR) map, which indicates which land is either regulated or exempt from land clearing legislation under the Local Land Services Act.
The NVR map was only partially released in 2017 and there are two remaining categories of land that are yet to be published. LLS is inviting landholders to talk to us about the NVR map for their property, something that should take a few hours at most.
Participants will receive a map package showing all published and unpublished layers of the NVR map for their property, plus fact sheets explaining the map and the unpublished layers. You would then be contacted by phone to share your thoughts via a short survey.
The project is completely confidential and run independently by Elton Consulting. No personal details will be shared outside of the project team and your survey responses will not be identifiable in any way.
If you would like to participate or get further information, please contact the project team prior to Christmas on map.review@environment.nsw.gov.au or 6360 9000 and you will be sent a consent form. A map package will be provided to you and the phone survey will be conducted later in January.
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The countdown to Christmas is on!
It’s been a year like no other with our landscapes recovering from drought, being impacted by devastating bushfires and facing a global pandemic. We want to thank you all for your hard work and resilience through this challenging year and working alongside our team to continue growing healthy environments and protecting our primary industries.
Our team will be taking a short break over the Christmas period, and our offices will be closed from 12:00 pm Thursday 24 December 2020 and will re-open at 8:30 am Monday 11 January 2021.
For life threatening emergencies, please call 000 immediately.
If you suspect a significant animal pest, disease, or residue or experience a large number of unexplained livestock deaths, please contact the Emergency Animal Disease hotline on 1800 675 888.
If you need to report an exotic plant pest or disease, please call the Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.
For assistance with non-emergency livestock health issues, please contact your nearest private vet.
We wish you all a Merry Christmas, stay safe and we look forward to working with you in 2021.
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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, Orange
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
Peter Evans, Lithgow
Sustainable Agriculture
0438 496 851
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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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