Latest News• Add My News • Search Old News Gippsland › Latest news › Department of Sustainability and EnvironmentPublic Warned Against Handling Dog TrapsThe Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and Department of Sustainability and Environment's (DSE) Wild Dog Control Program is an integral part of livestock protection activities in Gippsland, particularly at this time of year. DPI Wild Dog Controllers and DSE Forest Stewardship staff use specialised techniques and capture devices to track and trap wild dogs. The Wild Dog Controllers and Forest Stewardship staff are highly trained and experienced in the use of these devices, which are an important part of their "toolkit" for reducing wild dog activity. Recently, a number of capture devices have disappeared from where they have been set in some remote areas in Gippsland. Department staff are concerned that in untrained hands, these devices have the potential to cause harm. DPI Catchment Management Officer, David Krajca said that if members of the public come across the dog traps, they should leave them alone and not handle or interfere with them in any way. "If there is an animal in the trap, please don't make any attempt to free it, as this could cause more harm to the animal and to the person," Mr Krajca said. "Our staff have been specially trained in the correct operation of these devices and are the only people qualified to handle them." If you find a trap that you are concerned about for any reason, please contact your local DPI or DSE office. For information on the Gippsland Wild Dog Program contact Vaughn Kingston, DPI Wild Dog Coordinator on (03) 5152 0600.
TURNING GREEN INTO GOLD The annual conference for the Grasslands Society of Southern Australia is back in Turning Green into Gold will focus on three major themes. The first theme, ‘Managing the Land for Profit and Environment’, will look at how consumer and environmental issues are being addressed in the ‘Farming Means Business’ is the second theme and will introduce four producers who will speak about building your business from scratch to maintaining high production over two years of drought. Michael O’Keeffe, a strategy consultant from NSW, will outline what things distinguish an outstanding producer from a good one. The third session, ‘Pastures for Place’, will include a panel with discussion led by Charley de Fegely on special purpose pastures. For more information and registration details contact the Grasslands Society of Southern Australia on (03) 5622 0805 or visit www.grasslands.org.au, then select Society Information from the top of the page, then Annual Conference. PERENNIAL RYEGRASS STAGGERS Staggers are a major sign that perennial ryegrass toxins have affected livestock, which has become particularly widespread and marked in Staggers can be caused by several factors and a veterinarian should be consulted if deaths occur. While we quickly think of staggers as something associated with perennial ryegrass there are also other less well known but common signs such as heat stress, agitated cattle, scouring, lameness and ill-thrift that can also be associated with toxin in perennial ryegrass. It is suggested producers remove animals, especially young stock, from badly affected paddocks. Quiet, unhurried mustering is needed. Early training of lambs to supplementary feed before weaning allows a quicker uptake of supplementation later if grazing becomes unsafe. Give the ewes and lambs three feeds just before weaning – preferably the same grain as you will be feeding them later. In the longer term the case for removing toxin-producing grass from pasture may need to be seriously considered. DPI Animal Health staff are interested to hear from farmers who have experienced problems associated with perennial ryegrass. Please contact your local Animal Health or District Veterinary Officer in Maffra on 5147 0800, Bairnsdale on 5152 0600, Leongatha on 5662 9900, Ellinbank on 5624 2222, or Box Hill on 9296 4400.Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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