Urgent Health Risks for Livestock Amidst Rapid Pasture Growth

Northern Tablelands Local Land Services is urging producers to stay vigilant for signs of bloat and pulpy kidney as recent rain and warm soil temperatures have led to lush, green pastures. These changes can trigger sudden dietary shifts in livestock, increasing the risk of common springtime health issues.

The recent rainfall has resulted in abundant green feed across the Northern Tablelands and North West, but this shift in pasture conditions also creates ideal conditions for certain animal health problems.

Pulpy kidney is a serious condition affecting cattle, sheep, and goats, caused by the overgrowth of clostridial bacteria in the gut due to a sudden increase in high-carbohydrate feed. Animals that are heavily grain-fed or transitioned to fresh green pasture are particularly vulnerable, especially if they are young, fast-growing, unweaned, or recently weaned without a complete vaccination history. Pulpy kidney can develop rapidly, often without any prior signs of illness.

To combat this, Andrew Biddle, District Veterinarian with Northern Tablelands Local Land Services, recommends a vaccination regimen of two doses of 5-in-1 vaccine, administered 4-6 weeks apart. Additional 5-in-1 boosters will be necessary to maintain protection in the presence of lush, clover-dominated pastures.

These conditions also heighten the risk of pregnancy toxaemia, hypocalcaemia (milk fever), and grass tetany. Managing these risks involves providing hay to balance the highly digestible pasture and offering a mineral supplement with calcium and magnesium mixed with salt to enhance palatability.

While the growth of green pasture is a positive sign of feed availability and reduces the need for supplementary feed, this new growth has a water content of up to 90%, which can make it difficult for animals to meet their nutritional needs without additional feed sources.

“Producers should continue to provide supplementary feed until pastures mature and the water content decreases,” advises Dr. Biddle.

Bloat is another concern with livestock grazing on lush pastures, particularly those rich in legumes like clover, medics, or lucerne. Bloat occurs when the sudden intake of lush, green feed leads to excessive gas production in the rumen, which can compress the lungs and impede blood flow, potentially resulting in death.

Symptoms of bloat include noticeable swelling on the upper left flank, rapid breathing, and reluctance to move or graze. In severe cases, where the animal is lying down and unable to rise, immediate veterinary assistance should be sought.

To reduce the risk of bloat, consider using bloat oil in trough water, providing bloat blocks in paddocks with dam or creek water, ensuring access to roughage such as hay, grazing in smaller paddocks for closer monitoring, and implementing pasture management practices to avoid high-risk pastures.

For further information on livestock health, contact your Local Land Services District Vet or Livestock Officer at 1300 795 299.

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Source: beefcentral.com

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