LIVESTOCK grazing in irrigated pastures and crops can cause serious and even fatal health problems, Tasmanian sheep and beef veterinarian Paul Nilon says.
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Mr Nilon is the guest speaker for a sheep health under irrigation workshop at Longford next Thursday, where he will discuss key challenges and management strategies for producers running stock on irrigated pastures.
He said the key points will surround worm control, sudden death syndromes and metabolic diseases, such as hypocalcaemia.
"Irrigation provides abundant lush, highly-digestible forage and high animal growth rates, however, it also creates ideal conditions for some novel sheep diseases and exacerbates the potential for others," he said.
"Parasitism is the biggest challenge of irrigated pastures, Barber's pole worm is an emerging problem on irrigated pastures in particular, with the potential to cause major production losses.
"While all irrigated forages can sustain contamination, grass-dominant perennial pastures become relentlessly contaminated with larvae under irrigation."
Mr Nilon, of Nilon Farm Health, said legumes are parasitically more robust and that worm control in sheep grazing irrigated pastures hinges on ensuring forages are clean for as long as possible, and rotational grazing with cattle was beneficial.
He said fatal diseases such as redgut, clostridial disease and bloat can occur due to lack of fibre, which can be avoided by allowing lucerne to mature before grazing.
Weaning lambs onto mixed perennial pastures for some weeks before moving to legumes may also reduce the risk of redgut.
"While metabolic diseases, notably hypocalcaemia, are not confined to irrigated pastures, they are particularly prevalent on irrigated grasses and winter cereals," he said.
"Mid-to-late pregnancy ewes are vulnerable when moved onto lush pastures from dry winter pastures. Calcium supplementation will always prevent this, provided it is given quickly."
To RSVP for the Sheep Connect and Making More From Sheep Workshop, click here
AT A GLANCE
WHAT: Sheep health under irrigation workshop.
WHEN: Thursday, November 19, from 6.45pm to 9pm
WHERE: The Happy Chef, 3 William Street, Longford COST: Free event. Attendees pay for own meal ($15 per person) and drinks.
