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AG News

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

By Department of Primary Industries - 13th May 2009 - Back to News

REPORTING LAMB AND KID LOSSES TO DPI

Each year the Victorian sheep and goat industry faces significant productivity and economical losses due to lamb and kid mortality.

As part of a new project that will focus on determining the causes of mortality, the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is encouraging all producers to report lamb and kid deaths to their local DPI Animal Health Officer.

DPI District Veterinary Officer John Ryan said a pilot project, conducted in north eastern Victoria in 2008, identified the causes of mortality in participating flocks with lambs from birth to weaning using post mortem and laboratory investigations.

"One finding from the pilot project was that though predation was found on all properties, over 80 per cent of predated lambs were already dead or dying, therefore the crows and foxes were cleaning up the paddocks," Dr Ryan said.

"The pilot project identified that further surveillance is needed and would assist in monitoring emerging diseases."

Over the next three years DPI Animal Health staff, with the assistance of DPI Meat and Wool teams will be involved in this and other surveillance projects aimed at increasing productivity on farms.

"The Lamb and Kid Mortality Project will be looking at lambs and kids aged between two weeks and weaning," Dr Ryan said,

"Investigations will be free of charge to the producer and they will receive written reports within 10 days of the final laboratory report."

For more information on this project please contact your local DPI Animal Health Officer at DPI Bairnsdale on 5152 0400, DPI Maffra on 5147 0800, DPI Ellinbank on 5624 2222, or DPI Leongatha on 5662 9900.

DAIRY REMINDERS FOR MAY

Pastures/forages

• Ryegrass leaf appearance rate - 12-16 days per leaf (depending on soil moisture on dryland farms). 10-12 days per leaf for irrigated pasture.
• Estimated grazing rotation length - 36 to 48 days between each grazing.
• Area of farm to graze today – one thirty sixth to one forty eighth of grazing area in 24 hours.
• Recommended pre-grazing decisions - Following good autumn rainfall, it is important to allow pastures to grow to the three leaf stage before grazing. This generates greater leaf area for photosynthesis and increases pasture growth rate.
• Recommended post grazing decision - Graze down to 4-6 cm residual pasture after grazing. This will ensure a stronger ryegrass plant in the autumn, less soil erosion and less space for weed germination.
• Seasonal management tasks - Spray broadleaf weeds in new pastures once the weeds are about 3 to 5 cm in diameter. Capeweed pastures will contain high nitrate levels, so do not apply nitrogen to capeweed dominate pastures and watch for nitrate poisoning if capeweed is present in pastures.
• Average daily pasture growth rate - 12 to 20 kg DM/Ha/day on dryland farms following autumn rainfall. Those with irrigated rye grass pastures can also expect an estimated 10 – 15 kg DM/Ha/day.

Establishing and managing new pastures

• May/June sown perennial pasture mixes will be slow to establish prior to the onset of winter, therefore annual ryegrass is recommended.
• Inspect emerging pastures for damage from red legged earthmite, crickets or lucerne flea; and take action before rather than after the emerging pastures are eaten.

Cows

• Check the condition of your cows after the dry autumn. Thin cows suffer during winter. Also, it is more efficient to put condition on when milking rather than when dry.
• Check that young stock are growing well and getting enough feed through the coming winter.
• When drying off your cows consider treatment with a 7 in 1 vaccine, worm control and record any veterinary treatments
• Use the cooler months to review the farm’s shade and cooling infrastructure, and strategies used during hot weather; and plan what needs to be done before the next hot season.
• Management options such as better placement of troughs, improving trough flow rates, providing shade in the dairy yard or installing sprinklers needed to be done well in advance. There is more information on the Cool Cows website: www.coolcows.com.au

Milking management

• Arrange milking machine service. The dry period is a good time to do machinery maintenance.

Water Issues

• Clean out your effluent pond to create maximum storage capacity for the coming season’s rainfall.
• Start planning for any dam construction you plan to do this winter.

Financial issues

• Get an early start for the end of the financial year next month. Organise your records of expenditures and income to prepare a cash flow budget for the next financial year as the next season’s milk price become clearer.
• Some of the above reminders may need to be prioritised for expenditure depending on your cash flow budget.

Forward Planning for June

• Tasks for June include calf rearing and end of year financial planning.

FARMING DIARY

Fertilising Dairy Pastures

When: Wednesdays, June 17, 24 and July 1.

Where: Department of Primary Industries, Leongatha.

Time: 10.00 am to 2.30 pm.

Contact: David Shambrook on 5662 9913 or 0427 350 928.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com