Udder Issues Limiting Production

Cassey notes that, while both chicory and plantain are an asset in a pasture mix, if weed burdens are a particular problem on the property, it’s worth considering keeping them separate from each other, as combining them eliminates weed control options . She acknowledges some farmers prefer one over the other but says both species can form part of the mix as long as they’re managed effectively . Chicory excels through early summer to late autumn, while plantain has a more complete growth pattern, including more cool-season activity .

In the Upper North

Island, chicory is generally useful to lower the population of black beetles, particularly when following with ryegrass, as it helps in breaking the black beetle cycle .

Flexible finish

When both the legume and herb crops start to come to an end, an ideal option is ryegrass . A tetraploid hybrid ryegrass, such as Mohaka with AR37 endophyte, offers high metabolisable energy alongside high palatability, which will aid in maximising milk production . Mohaka provides the ideal tool for undersowing into both herb and clover stands to prolong their productivity . Waikato trials have shown over the first eighteen months it gives an average yield that is 15% higher than a perennial . This bolsters the original crop when it’s running out . If pests are of concern, Mohaka AR37 can also assist in resistance to several common pasture pests and, in northern zones, it provides the greatest potential for persistence, while in other regions, Mohaka AR1 is a good option for both sheep and goats . Cassey says those looking for a perennial option should go for a diploid/tetraploid mix, suggesting the varieties One50 or Legion diploid perennial ryegrasses mixed with Halo, a tetraploid perennial, particularly for sheep operations as they offer persistence that a hybrid can’t, as well as more flexibility . Our portfolio offers all the essential products needed for sheep and goat milking systems, with many varieties being market-leaders . These have been proven, not just in our regional trials, but on-farm as well .

Anne Ridler, School of Veterinary Science, Massey University

Over the past five years, researchers at Massey University have done a number of studies looking at ewe udder defects in meat-breed sheep.

This has included investigating how common udder defects are, evaluating their impacts on lamb growth and survival, milk production and quality as well as identifying which bacteria were present . A lot of udder characteristics were assessed but the only ones that were found to affect lamb survival and growth rates were lumps within the udder tissue and generalized hardness (“mastitis”) of one or both udder halves . Studies on commercial meat-breed sheep farms showed that on average about 2 .5% of ewes have these defects at weaning while another 2% or so developed these defects in the 4-6 weeks after weaning . In a two-year study in a large commercial meat-breed flock, it was found that lambs born to ewes with lumps or hardness in one or both udder halves were 3-5 times more likely to die compared with lambs born to ewes with normal udders . Lambs that survived grew around 25g/day more slowly . A milking study showed a substantial decrease in the daily milk output of udder halves with either lump/s or hardness . However, if only one udder half was affected then in many cases the other normal udder half had an increase in milk production (a compensatory increase) so overall milk production was similar to ewes with two normal udder halves . Milk from defective udder halves had no differences in fat, protein, lactose or total solids compared with milk from normal udder halves, but non-fat solids were reduced . Bacterial culture was undertaken from milk samples from a large number of normal and defective udder halves . Bacteria were more likely to be grown from defective udder halves but were also found in some normal udder halves . A large range of bacteria were found – the most common were coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CNS), Mannheimia haemolytica, Staph. aureus and Strep. uberis. These research projects were funded by Beef + Lamb New Zealand, the C Alma Baker Trust and Massey University . A video, podcast and fact-sheet on assessing ewes’ udders can be found on the Beef + Lamb New Zealand website .

Mycotoxins.

Are my livestock at risk?

By Quirien Cowie (BVSc), Ruminate

Mycotoxins are toxic substances produced by some of the fungi that grow naturally in a wide a variety of crops and pasture species.

Approximately 100 species of fungi produce mycotoxins that are dangerous when ingested. Toxin-producing fungi are common on maize or pasture plants that are harvested and conserved as silage.

The most common fungi species that grow on silage are Fusarium, Aspergillus, and Penicillium. While visibly mouldy areas of feed should always be avoided, these fungi can produce mycotoxins in part or all of a silage stack when their levels are low enough that they are not noticeably seen and detection may be challenging, even with testing. The effects of mycotoxins on livestock are highly variable due to the wide variety of different fungi and toxic substances that may be present but can include damage to the liver, kidneys, reproductive system, or nervous system. Mild symptoms may include ill-thrift, anorexia, reduced feed conversion efficiency, or gut upsets. More severe symptoms may include diarrhoea, photosensitization, fetal loss, nervous symptoms such as tremors and incoordination, and in very severe cases even death.

The best way to deal with mycotoxins is

prevention.

Visibly mouldy feeds should be discarded. Good silage practices such as clean, dry bunkers, using oxygen barrier films, and an oxygen-scavenging preservative such as Siloguard, are essential. Bales stored on farm need to be regularly monitored for rodent damage and grain storage needs to be kept clean and dry. Beyond these practices anyone feeding high levels of conserved feeds or older ryegrass pastures in summer should consider using a mycotoxin binder and deactivator. Eliotox is more than just a toxin binder. Elitox utilizes a combination of both binding and deactivating toxins, while providing support for the immune system and liver function which are often challenged by mycotoxins. The broader mode of action allows for better management of a wider range of mycotoxins.

Elitox may benefit your livestock if you are;

1. Feeding grains or conserved feeds that have mouldy patches. 2. Grazing or feeding ryegrass dominant, older pastures that may have a high proportion of wild type endophyte. 3. Feeding a high proportion of conserved feeds such as hay, grass silage, maize silage or earlage. 4. Feeding conserved feeds at high-risk times.

Ruminants are most affected by mycotoxins when pregnant, during peak lactation and, during periods of rapid growth. 5. Herd level issues with scours, fetal losses, poor production, or reduced growth rates and diagnostic testing has not found an underlying cause. (Discussion with your veterinarian should always be the first step in dealing with animal health issues.)

For Ruminate, it’s all about making New Zealand farmers, proud farmers. And they do that through high-spec animal nutrition and service.

Ruminate’s proven science, premium feed additives and highly experienced team, bridge the nutritional gaps to bring animals to a premium state. All of this results in happier, healthier stock, and ultimately more profitability for Ruminate’s farmers. Nutritional specialists Ruminate, understand the plentiful and exciting opportunities within the sheep and goat industry and they’ve backed this up by having a dedicated Veterinarian in the team. Quirien Cowie, with her mindset of offering farmers a top-of-the-cliff service, is committed in the goat and sheep nutrition space. Working alongside farmers to build a strong plan looking at all the nutrition requirements of a ruminant throughout it’s different phases. Quirien’s role with with Ruminate sees her travel across New Zealand to asisst her goat and sheep farmers, where she has become an intergral and valuable part of their business.

Interested in learning how Ruminate can help your business?

Let’s talk.

Quirien Cowie (BVSc)

E: quirien@ruminate.nz T: 021 808 377