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Ag News

22/02/07

By Department of Primary Industries - 22nd February 2007 - Back to News

STOCK MANAGEMENT

The management of livestock in the immediate period following the autumn break is very important.

Stockowners have paid a high price to get their stock through this drought and it would be a disaster to lose them just when they were possibly on the verge of self-sufficiency and normal paddock grazing.

Livestock, especially mature animals, seem to get through the warm weather of summer on minimal survival rations. However, if the break arrives with a rain event over 2‑3 days accompanied by cold, windy conditions, stock that have looked reasonably healthy just beforehand suddenly become very vulnerable.

The rapid onset of adverse weather takes a greater toll on livestock than a winter rain event when stock are acclimatised.

Most significant rain events will be forecast with reasonable accuracy and with a lead time of 3 or 4 days. Rain in an event like this usually comes with wind. The combination of the two, for more than 12 hours, has a 'refrigerator' effect and can be a killer on livestock.

Recently shorn sheep are at high risk, but even earlier-shorn sheep and cattle that are down in condition are also at risk.

Before predicted significant rains stockowners can put contingency plans in place. Shelter and feed are the two main elements in preparation for a major rain. Increasing the supplementary feed by up to 25% in the days leading up to the expected rain will significantly increase the animals’ energy reserves and improve their survival chances.

Shelter also plays a vital role in survival through adverse weather conditions. If there are good shelterbelts with protection from the prevailing winds they will be adequate for most classes of stock except for recently shorn sheep. Shedding is the only safe alternative for these. If shearing is in progress when a major rain event is forecast it might be prudent to stop shearing until after it has passed, especially if there is insufficient shed space for all shorn sheep.

Machinery sheds and other similar buildings can also be used for emergency shedding.

Shedded sheep need to be let out for feed and water and, if this can be timed for a lull in the storm, all the better. Good quality hay may be easier to feed under these conditions.

Sheep in containment areas may need to be moved to shelter and to avoid bogging up the containment pens. They can go back a day or so after the major rains have passed.

Hypocalcaemia in cattle and sheep can be brought on by a prolonged cold wet snap, especially if they are light in condition.

Early treatment of animals showing the first signs of this condition will usually get them back to health and eating again. Calcium based products for treatment are cheap, readily available and have a long storage life. It is a good to have products on hand for these eventualities.

For more information contact your local veterinarian or DPI Animal Health Staff.

GREAT DIVIDE NO BARRIER TO SKILLS EXCHANGE

Gippsland and North East Senior Wild Dog Controllers have organised a skills exchange program for late February.

The creation of the Senior Wild Dog Controller positions has encouraged Wild Dog Program staff to put forward innovative ideas in wild dog management. The skills exchange program is the first in a series of practical, field-based activities to be conducted by the Senior Wild Dog Controllers.

Although the ‘tools of the trade’ don’t vary from the North East to Gippsland, the way they are utilised does.

Geoff Hodge, a Senior Wild Dog Controller based in Gelantipy and his Tallangatta counterpart Maurice Moore, have been working on the skills exchange ‘across the divide’ concept for some time.

Geoff and Maurice are planning to involve all available Wild Dog Program and DSE Land Stewardship staff.

"Wild Dog Management staff from both sides of the Divide are very keen to meet up and demonstrate control techniques in the field with their peers,’ Geoff said. ‘They will come away with newly acquired skills and contacts which will ultimately be of benefit to the landholders we service."

Chair of the Gippsland Wild Dog Management Group, Alan Brown, said the Gippsland and North East Wild Dog Management Groups fully support and encouraged the concept of a statewide skills exchange program amongst the Wild Dog Program staff.

For more information contact Vaughn Kingston, Community Engagement -Wild Dogs, at DPI Bairnsdale on (03) 5152 0600.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com