Gippsland › Latest news › Department of Primary IndustriesNutrient Workshops In Glengarry Or Yallourn NorthThe information and tools are now available to easily calculate nutrient movement on, off and around the farm The information and tools are now available to easily calculate nutrient movement on, off and around the farm. This information can then be used to develop a fertiliser plan that is specific to your farm and your needs. The Department of Primary Industry (DPI) and ANSA (Action on Nutrients for Sustainable Agriculture) are going to run two workshops in Gippsland to assist farmers plan their fertiliser needs. The workshops will be held in Glengarry at the hall and Yallourn North at the Football club rooms on 19 February and 4 March 2003 respectively from 10:30 am until 2:30 pm. By the end of the day, the workshop will enable farmers that attend to develop a fertiliser plan specific to their farm’s needs. The workshops are open to anyone that is interested in improving their nutrient management. Please RSVP if wishing to attend to Annette Coster at DPI Ellinbank on (03) 5624 2234. Lunch will be provided. STOCKOWNERS - Beware of farm dams! As water levels drop, the slope of the dam sides flattens. This often means more mud for animals to negotiate before, during and after drinking. This sticky mud can be a death trap especially for weak animals. Any animals stuck in muddy dam banks will usually die without human intervention either by starvation, thirst, inhalation of mud and water, or attack by predators. Fortunately these consequences are preventable either by regular monitoring or by fencing off unsafe areas of a dam. COW PARKING – MASTITIS ISSUES ON HOST FARMS In normal circumstances Countdown recommends against exchange of cows because animals from other herds are the most likely source of new mastitis bacteria. But these are not normal circumstances and many farms in Gippsland have generously offered space for cows from other herds. The challenge is to identify and manage the risks that will occur. Keep high priority for your usual mastitis control activities, especially teat disinfection, maintenance of machines and rubberware to milk efficiently and keep teats healthy, and use a recommended Dry Cow Treatment program. Here are some tips about how to find a problem quickly if it does occur.
"Act to investigate" should involve keeping a close interaction with your vet about these issues. Let him or her know that you are monitoring mastitis closely because you are milking cows from out of town and you expect help in following up first warning signs. Nearly all the practices in Gippsland have vets who have now completed Countdown training and can help. If you would like to attend a Countdown Downunder farmer short course and learn more about how you can improve your cell count and mastitis control, gaining more $ in you pocket then ring 1800 777 530 for bookings and/or inquiries or Carol Bradshaw, DPI Ellinbank, on 56242257. The six-day course will cost $174 to FarmBis eligible dairyfarmers and includes course materials and lunch. Course days start at 10. 30 am and finish at 2.30 pm. Next courses in 2003:
DROUGHT INCREASES THE RISK OF NITRATE TOXICITY The sudden death of five cows in a herd grazing millet in the Macalister Irrigation district has highlighted the danger of nitrate poisoning in the district this season. Nitrate poisoning occurs when ruminants rapidly consume plants with high levels of nitrate Nitrates are converted into nitrites in the rumen and then into ammonia which is belched out or detoxified by the liver. If the nitrites are not converted to ammonia rapidly enough, as can occur with a high level of nitrate intake; the nitrites may be absorbed into the bloodstream where they bond with haemoglobin in the blood. The haemoglobin loses its ability to transport oxygen and affected animals die from oxygen starvation. Because nitrate poisoning acts very quickly, symptoms may not be observed before animals are found dead. Affected animals stand apart, are weak and have an unsteady gait, breathing is rapid and shallow and animals eventually collapse. The whites of the eyes and pink membranes around the vulva, nostrils and gums will appear initially bluish in colour and then muddy brown. Following exposure to abnormal nitrates or nitrites a cow may abort a foetus that died because of oxygen starvation. Death usually occurs so suddenly that treatment is not possible. If cattle are observed in time intravenous administration of methylene blue can save cattle. Plants containing more than 1.5 % nitrate are dangerous. Nitrate concentration in forages increases greatly during drought conditions. Other conditions frequently associated with losses are cool temperatures, cloudy days and heavy or recent applications of nitrate fertilisers. Some plant species are more likely to accumulate toxic concentrations of nitrate. These include forage crops such as millet, corn, rape, sudan, weeds such as cape weed and some pasture species. Management practices can reduce and prevent losses from nitrate poisoning. Awareness of high-risk pastures or crops in these drought conditions is important. High risk pastures or crops can be measured for nitrate levels via laboratory analysis or quick paddock side nitrate test strips. These strips can give an indication of nitrate levels in plants but your pasture sample must accurately reflect what the cows are eating. Cattle grazing a high risk crop should be observed carefully and quietly removed at the fist sign of toxicity. For further information contact your local veterinarian or Department of Primary Industries office.Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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