Iotag, a company helping farmers track livestock over large distances, is looking for farmers to test their GPS based livestock tracking solution. Iotag have developed a GPS sensor system which is mounted to cattle or sheep using collars. The solution is designed to help farmers locate stock over long distances, and generate location-based alerts delivered via SMS if stock breach their designated boundary (e.g. get out onto a road, or if rams/bulls escape their paddocks).

The sensors get a GPS location, and then transmit the data back to a base station installed on farm. The base station can receive signals from ~8-30km depending on the height at which it’s installed. It then transmits the data back to a web app, so that farmers can view the location of their stock on a phone, computer or tablet as seen above.

If you're interested, check out the Iotag website.

Scientists working in the NSW Riverina have made a brilliant discovery on manipulating the sex ratio of lambs. They have found that adding oats or grain daily to the diet of ewes in the four weeks before they are mated can cause up to 58% of the resulting lambs to be born female. Contrary to this, leaving the ewe flock in a paddock eating only grass led to a reduction in female lambs by 14%.

The trend for influencing sex was first uncovered in mice, where researchers found that the sex of offspring was skewed in favour of males when their mothers were fed a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids (and low in omega-6) at joining. Researchers at the Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute found this trend demonstrated in ewes.

This research could have large impacts on sheep producer’s profitability and efficiency. Prime lamb producers using terminal sires typically prefer males, as male lambs grow 20% faster than females and have increased muscle accumulation, thereby reaching a higher market weight over a set time. Conversely, maternal first cross enterprises prefer breeding females, which may lead to a $30-50/head higher sale price at weaning.

More info about this trial is available here.

Pinkeye season will be upon us in no time, and it’s important that you start preparing now to try and minimise any losses. 

Factors which predispose a herd to pinkeye development:

• Flies – previously in the newsletter we have discussed an integrated pest management program to reduce the fly burden on farm. This should be started now as flies carry the bacteria between animals
• Long grass – causes physical damage to the eye and can transmit infection
• Dust – irritates the eye
• Pigmentation – pinkeye is generally more common in non-pigmented eyes
• Overcrowding – high stocking rates and yardings assist the transfer of pinkeye
• Immune status – cattle in poor body condition are less able to mount immune responses. Prior exposure leads to immunity, and this is why outbreaks are generally worse in young cattle
• UV light – and there isn’t much you can do about this

The costs of pinkeye are higher than most farmers realise. The direct costs of production loss, treatment cost are obvious, but have you thought about:

• A decrease in average daily weight gain of up to 10%
• Negative effects on fertility
• Decreased milk production due to reduced dry matter intake
• Stud animals – being removed from sales, or unable to be sold
• The welfare of the animals

For these reasons we are strong advocates of Piliguard vaccine. As a tool to manage risk, this vaccine is highly effective. However due to the stated risk factors above, you must not just rely on the vaccine alone. Vaccinate animals with Piliguard 3-6 weeks before the onset of the pinkeye season. Calves as young as 1 week can be vaccinated. Contact us for more info!

Silirum is the name of the vaccine used to provide immunity against Bovine Johne’s Disease (BJD). It's fully registered in all states except Western Australia and around 75,000 doses have already been sold. Here's what you need to know about the vaccine.

It's administered as a single dose from 3-6 weeks of age. It benefits the herd by reducing the number of clinical BJD cases in cattle, and reducing the number of animals shedding BJD in their faeces.

The Silirum vaccine is used in two circumstances:

1. In herds where BJD has been confirmed or past/future exposure is likely
2. As part of a whole farm biosecurity plan to reduce the risk of infection entering the herd

It was trialled in the absence of any other control measures and demonstrated efficacy. However good calf management, improved biosecurity practices and culling of infected animals should improve outcomes further compared to just vaccination alone. 

One of the potential problems with the use of vaccine is that vaccinated animals may test positive when screening for tuberculosis and/or BJD. Such positive tests could have serious implications for Australian exports of live cattle and Australia’s reputation. Therefore, all farms vaccinating must follow specific registration protocols and exclude all vaccinated cattle from the live export supply chain.

Due to health and safety concerns, Silirum vaccines should be administered by veterinarians. If this is not preferred, we can provide on farm training. There is also a bit of paperwork that goes along with the vaccine purchase. 

The vaccine is only available through veterinarians, so please get in touch if you would like more information and pricing.