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European Nutrient Management

Graeme Ward from the South West dairy team has recently returned from a dairy study tour to Europe to see how they are improving nutrient management and improving sustainability.

By Department of Primary Industries - 3rd September 2003 - Back to News

His overall conclusion is that there is little doubt that farmers will have to become smarter in their management of nutrients if they are to have an intensive dairy industry that is still environmentally sustainable.

According to Graeme, Europe provides a range of examples of how the Victorian dairy industry could improve its management of nutrients to reduce losses and the detrimental effects on our environment.

Australian dairy farmers have a perception that they have low input dairy systems. Compared to say the Irish dairy industry, we might apply less nitrogen fertiliser but we apply considerably more phosphorus fertiliser and feed much greater amounts of bought in feed even though our stocking rates are not much different. Yet, Ireland along with the other European Union countries has introduced a range of measures to reduce the loss of nutrients, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus, to the environment.

High levels of phosphorus in waterways have been a major problem in Ireland. To address this issue the Irish have implemented a range of measures including a campaign to reduce the rate of phosphorus fertiliser applied to pasture land. Research work found that once the level of phosphorus in the soil exceeded the "optimum" level, the rate of loss of phosphorus to the environment increased dramatically.

In response to this finding a major extension program was conducted to encourage farmers to apply the same amount of phosphorus that was exported off the farm in product and to allow the phosphorus content of soils to drop back to more moderate levels.

In a more regulatory approach, the Dutch MINAS (MINeral Accounting System), requires each agricultural holding to monitor the flow of nitrogen and phosphorus entering the farm in animals, feeds, mineral fertilisers and manures and leaving in animals, products, crops and manures. A budget on these nutrients is then calculated each year and nitrogen and phosphorus is excess of specified levels are subject to very heavy levies that are intended to be prohibitive. As a result of this there is a large amount of ongoing research aimed at improving the efficiency of nutrient use so that more production is achieved per kilogram of nutrient.

COCCIDIOSIS

Coccidiosis is an intestinal disease that affects several different animal species. It is caused by protozoan called coccidia. Coccidia are not worms, but live in the actual cells of the intestine walls. A bad infestation can cause diarrhoea and for this reason may be mistakenly identified as a worm problem. In cattle coccidiosis may produce clinical symptoms in animals from 1 month to 12 months of age but is infective to all ages.

The coccidia protozoan has the ability to multiply rapidly. The major damage is due to the rapid multiplication in the intestinal wall. Several stages of multiplication occur before the final stage when oocysts are passed in the faeces. The oocysts are highly resistant to environmental conditions and are difficult to remove completely from the environment. The oocysts become contaminants of feed and water. The oocysts are ingested by other animals and start the process of infection again.

Clinical signs of coccidiosis generally become apparent after stress such as weaning, overcrowding, truck rides, weather changes and in unsanitary conditions. Clinical signs of coccidiosis are loss of appetite, diarrhoea, rough coat and general emaciation. The weakness of the animal may cause the animal to defecate without rising thus soiling its tail and hindquarters.

In more severe cases the animal may have watery faeces combined with mucous and blood. Rapid dehydration and severe straining can become evident in more advanced stages. Death may occur during the acute period from secondary complications such as pneumonia.

Some prevention techniques are to reduce feeding on the ground. Pastures should be well drained, and limit the amount of grazing on pastures at the edges of ponds and streams. Avoid overgrazing of areas where cattle congregate and aim to limit the amount of stress on the animals.

Treatment and prevention of coccidiosis are most effective when started early. Prevention of coccidiosis is much easier than treatment. In confirmed cases healthy and sick animals should be kept separate and sick animals should be treated with medication in accordance with veterinary instructions.

POST FIRE PASTURE RECOVERY – FARM WALKS

In response to the environmental damage caused by the Bogong Complex fires to freehold land earlier this year, the State Government has announced the Bushfire Environmental Recovery Program to assist farmers with recovery works.

The Bushfire Environmental Recovery Program applies to environmental damage caused to freehold areas by the Bogong Complex Fires in the East Gippsland and North-East regions. The objective is to reduce the risk of erosion and catchment damage in areas affected by the fires through a partnership between the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and the landholders.

Part of this program includes assistance with perennial pasture establishment to protect soils affected by fire.

A series of farm walks has been arranged to advise farmers on pasture issues such as:

• appraisal of fire damage to current pastures
• establishment techniques to meet varying pasture recovery situations
• recommended species
• setting up and using a seed drill

Agronomist, Leo Hamilton will be in attendance to look at pasture recovery since the fires and to discuss options for improving pasture composition.

The farm walks are as follows:

Omeo - Monday September 8^th at 10am on Peter Foster’s property on the Great Alpine Road, just past the Cassilis turnoff.

Benambra – Tuesday September 9^th at 10am on John Ross’s property, Sloan-Pendergast Road, off Murphy Forest Road.

Wulgulmerang – Thursday September 11^th at 10am on Hugh Adam’s property, the Wire Paddock, opposite Wulgulmerang Station, behind the sports ground.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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