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Identification Of Pigs

All pigs consigned for sale or slaughter must be identified with either an official tattoo brand or ear tag. This identification system is an essential part of disease control and chemical residue minimisation programs.

By Department of Primary Industries - 16th June 2004 - Back to News

The Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak in the UK, which caused severe economic and social consequences, highlights the need to be able to trace livestock to the point of sale. The FMD virus is excreted in high quantities in expired air and in all secretions and excretions. Pigs excrete in the order of 1000 times as much virus in the expired air, compared to cattle, sheep or other ruminants.

The Livestock Disease Control Act 1994 requires:

• Pigs weighing 25 kg or more, consigned for sale to an abattoir or knackery are to be identified with a tattoo brand that sets out the number allocated by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) which identifies the property at which the pig was kept for seven days before the application of the tag or tattoo.

• Pigs less than 25 kg in weight and being sold in a saleyard, must be identified with an approved eartag that sets out the number allocated by the DPI.

Owners of pigs are required to make application to the Department of Primary Industries for the issue of a property identification number. This can be done by contacting Animal Health staff at DPI offices in Box Hill on 9296 4400, Ellinbank on 5624 2222, Leongatha on 5662 9900, Maffra on 5147 0800 or Bairnsdale 5152 0600. Applicants will be advised by post of their new property identification number and where they can obtain tattoo branding equipment and/or eartags from approved suppliers. Producers who cease to keep pigs on their property are required to notify the Department and return any unused tags.

DAIRY REMINDERS FOR JUNE 2004

Pastures

Long term average ryegrass pasture growth rates for June range from 9 to 12 kg DM/ha/day on dryland dairy farms across Gippsland depending on the soil temperatures on your farm. The pastures of the Macalister Irrigation District are expected to grow at 8 - 12 kg DM/ha/day, and East Gippsland pastures with warmer temperatures and recent rainfall maybe growing at 10 to 15 kg DM /ha/day.

Ryegrass leaf appearance rates for mid-June in Gippsland are estimated to be 16 to 20 days depending on soil temperatures. Therefore, pasture rotations should be around 48 to 60 days to allow ryegrass to reach the 3 leaf stage before grazing. Pastures that are able to attain 3 leaves prior to grazing will produce more pasture feed during the winter months than pastures grazed at either the 1 or 2 leaf stage

Urea can be applied at the rate of 100kg/ha over this period to boost pasture growth. However, due to colder temperatures and shorter days the response may only be 6 to 8 kg DM per kilogram of nitrogen. Better results will occur on ryegrass dominant, north facing paddocks.

Cows

Have the cows dried off on condition score of 4.5 or better? If not, some more feed may be required to lift cow condition.

Regularly check cows and heifers on agistment paddocks to ensure they have adequate water and feed.

If considering lead feeding your springing cows this season, seek reliable advice and/or a pre mixed ration so you achieve a successful result and avoid unbalancing the cows diet at calving time.

Irrigation

Now is the time to calculate water use across the farm. Identify any areas that have required very high water applications and consider changes in layout that may improve water control and water use efficiency. Ensure drains at the bottom of the irrigation bays are kept weed free to assist with winter drainage runoff. Waterlogged pastures will result in slow pasture growth. A few spinner cuts may also be useful

Undertake maintenance of the irrigation drains, pumps, outlets and culverts now while the problems are fresh in your mind, rather than leaving it until that first irrigation of the season when there will be other pressures as well!

Environment

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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