Hot weather brings algae poison alert

Stock owners – be alert; with the recent stretch of hot weather, poisoning due to blue green algae is a possibility.

Usually blue green algae poisoning is seen in late summer and early autumn.

Toxic blue-green algal blooms have the potential to kill large numbers of stock in a very short period of time.

Blue-green algal blooms typically appear as surface scum that looks like a suspension of green paint, or curdled green milk.

However, the colour may range from pale green to dark brown.

Often an ‘earthy’ smell will accompany a blue-green algal bloom.

In comparison, other algal blooms may look like green mats, can be pulled from the dam in long strings, and typically, have no smell.

Deaths occur when stock drink the toxins produced by the blue-green algae, usually from where they are concentrated on the down-wind side of a water supply to form a dense, surface scum.

Animals that have consumed blue-green algal toxin will appear ill very rapidly. They will develop a staggery gait, collapse, and then begin to convulse and die – typically within 24 hours.

Those that do not die immediately usually suffer severe liver damage. This may lead to the development of jaundice (the ‘yellows’) or severe photosensitisation over the next few days.

Those that recover from these ailments will suffer from chronic ill-thrift.

Unfortunately there is no treatment for affected animals.

Blue-green algal poisoning should be suspected when animals are found dead and dying after access to an algal contaminated water source.

Dead animals may have their mouths, nose, feet and legs stained green by algae.

Laboratory testing of the water supply for the presence of blue-green algae, and a postmortem examination of dead or sick animals by a veterinarian will confirm blue-green algal poisoning.

Therefore, it is essential stock water supplies are checked daily for blooms, as this remains the most effective way of preventing stock deaths.

If a suspicious bloom is noticed, stock should be removed from the contaminated water source as quickly as possible, and an accurate identification of algae should be sought.

Chemical water treatments that cause algal cells to break down or die are not recommended, as these treatments allow the release of preformed toxins into the water.

This potentially makes the water even more toxic to stock.

Market report for 7th and 8th February Wednesday Fat Sale 524 head. Thursday Bull and Cow Sale, 41 bulls, 302 cows.

With a bigger yarding on Wednesday, but fewer heifer numbers, which slipped slightly, topping at 251.6 cents and heifers averaged 233.9 cents. There were 29 steers which made to 311.2 cents for an average of 209.0 cents. 456 veal reached a top of 336.2 cents, up 6 cents and the average was consistent at 282.1 cents. This week’s yard average was 271.1 cents.

A yarding of 41 bulls and 288 cows and 11 bullocks on Thursday sold to firm demand with bulls topping at 260.2 cents to average 223.9 cents. The best cow price was 244.6 cents and the cow average was 186.7 cents. Bullocks average price was 232.8 cents with the top at 246.2 cents, a total yard average of 194.2 cents.

1 LimX 2 LimX 2 Bld 1 Lim 1 Bld Bullocks 1 Ang 1 B/B Steers 4 BelB 1 LimX 1 LimX 1 Char 1 LimX Heifers 1 LimX R Affleck, Toongabbie 1 Baldy T&J Christensen, Glengarry 1 CharX P Webb, Nyora 1 Ang Scharley Invest, Peidmont Export Cows and Heifers 1 Ang Parklea P/L, Officer 1 Ang Latrobe Park Ang, Morwell 1 CharX J&C Moyes, Yarragon 1 Lim Farmcheck P/L, Trafalgar Dairy Cows 1 Frn B Reid, Heyfield 3 Frn V&M Zappulla, Neerim 3 Frn E&S Williams, Yannathan 1 Frn Wildwood Dairies, Lardner Bulls 1 LimX 1 Ang 1 Ang 1 Ang 1 Frn

M Wieman, Hill End S&P Blackshaw, Hill End J Lovison, Newborough TK&MA Johnson, Mt View Geekay P/L, Neerim Nth

Latrobe Park, Morwell JS Pascoe, Callignee Sth

SD Armstrong, Toongabbie CM Tumino, Mt Eccles R Affleck, Toongabbie P Webb, Nyora JM & R Hamilton, Darnum Batty/Ferguson, BB East G&J Jolly, Trafalgar S Beckman, Rosedale KD&GM Olsen, Mt View P&A Drew, Mt View

Landmark, 4. Elders, 5. SEJ.

375 370 425 430 385

678 685

353 370 460 580 530

502 440 555 501

595 590 640 680

635 592 661 700

336.2 330.0 326.0 320.0 319.2

246.2 235.6`

311.2 295.0 280.0 256.2 250.0

251.6 249.2 245.0 233.6

244.6 238.0 214.2 214.0

208.2 198.6 195.2 194.2

1260 1221 1385 1376 1228

1669 1613

1098 1091 1288 1485 1325

1263 1096 1359 1100

1455 1404 1370 1455

1322 1175 1290 1359

1100 260.2 2862 855 254.6 2177 1020 254.6 2596 935 246.2 2301 940 229.2 2154 1. NGL, 2. Scotts, 3.