Latest News• Add My News • Search Old News Gippsland › Latest news › Department of Primary IndustriesInnovative Effluent ManagementEffective effluent management is the hot and sometimes bubbly theme for the 2004 Farm World. In conjunction with this theme, a competition ‘ Innovation in dairy effluent management’ has been running. Dairy farmers from across Gippsland have entered, all of a very high standard and all with some degree of innovation. The winners of the competition will be announced on Thursday 25th of March at Farm World. The judging of the competition is now completed and the finalists have been determined. Congratulations to Eric and Annette Deppler, Mike Hornby and Jenny Heggart, Rocky and Wendy Murdica, Graeme and Mary Mabin, Doug and Charlotte Berryman and Ray and Sue Howe. The judging criteria looked for innovatively designed and managed systems that keep dairy effluent "on-farm", by using it as a nutrient resource and minimising risks of loss to waterways. Examples of innovation seen in the competition include: computerised effluent management systems, modified gravel traps, re-use systems, rain water diverters, safety devices, a car motor converted into a pump, and systems designed to minimise labour. Innovation was specific to the needs of each farm and creativity was shown when deriving solutions to the limitations of the farm landscapes and situations. The winner will be a lucky recipient of a Technipharm travelling effluent irrigator; this irrigator will be on display at Farm World 2004. The winner will also receive a $3000 travel voucher, the second place getter will receive a $3000 travel voucher and third place a $2000 travel voucher. Thanks to all the participants in the competition and good luck to the six finalists! For more information on the competition or general effluent enquires please contact the Nutrient Management Extension team at DPI Ellinbank on 5624 2222.
PHOTOSENSITIZATIONSome farmers are caring for cattle and sheep affected by photosensitization, a condition in which the animals skin becomes abnormally sensitive to sunlight causing a severe dermatitis or sunburn. Photosensitization is not a disease itself; it is a clinical sign that is the end result of a number of disease processes. In each case photosensitizing (photodynamic) substances are present in high concentrations in the skin, and when exposed to sunlight, cause damage to the skin. Photosensitization can occur if the animal eats the photodynamic substances (e.g. Dianthrone derivatives in Photosensitization can also occur when there is damage to the animal’s liver. In this case the photodynamic substance is a by-product of the breakdown of chlorophyll in green plants. When the liver is damaged the chlorophyll breakdown products accumulate in the body and may reach high levels in the skin. In other cases it is not clear whether the photosensitization is primary or due to liver damage (e.g. feeding rape, animals fed hay that is affected by moulds or the sporadic cases that occur on lush pasture). Typically an affected animal will appear irritated; it may rub the affected parts or kick its teats. The animal may lie down, be difficult to milk or refuse to let a calf suckle. The skin lesions are characteristically restricted to the white areas of the animal, particularly the face, eyes and backline, or the areas with little hair growth (e.g. udder). The affected areas are often swollen, and may have fluid oozing from them. Eventually the skin may lift off completely. The signs may range from very mild to extremely severe, with death or humane destruction being a consequence on some occasions. Whatever the cause of photosensitization, treatment involves the immediate removal of the animal from direct sunlight, prevention of further access to poisonous substances, and good nursing care while recovery takes place. Keeping the animal in a hayshed or shearing shed, and feeding hay for several days is ideal. A shady paddock is the next best alternative and black ointments are sometimes helpful. In most cases professional veterinary treatment with antihistamines and sometimes antibiotics, will improve the animal’s recovery.Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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