Watch vitamin count when feeding out

Even if the current dry seasonal conditions wane, many farmers will still be feeding-out to livestock due to the lack of nutritious pastures.

It is essential to provide stock with the minimum nutritional requirements to prevent deficiencies, sub-optimal production, disease and death.

As feeding-out to livestock continues, deficiencies in fat-soluble vitamins, particularly vitamins A and E are possible, although it is worth remembering that vitamin A and E deficiency only occurs if green feed has been absent for many months.

Treatment for both vitamin A and E deficiencies are by supplementation via injection or drench but should only be considered if lambs and cattle have been lacking green feed for three to four months, or if adult sheep have been lacking green feed for more than nine months.

Calcium, phosphorous and sodium deficiency are three mineral deficiencies that may also be seen during longer periods of feeding-out.

Calcium deficiency most commonly occurs in diets containing a high proportion of cereal grain. The addition of agricultural limestone mixed with the ration can be an effective form of prevention.

Phosphorus deficiencies occur when diets consist mainly of low-quality roughage for an extended period. The main signs of phosphorus deficiency are shifting lameness, an arched back and difficulty walking.

With extended deficiencies, stock may chew sticks, stones or bones from carcasses in paddocks to gain their phosphorus requirements. This then leads to a significant risk of botulism from the ingestion of bacterial spores in the decomposing tissues attached to bones.

Sodium is a major component of salt. Salt is important for the regulation of many processes in the animal’s body.

Most grains are deficient in sodium, so an addition of salt to diets containing a large proportion of grain, where stock drinking water has a low salt content, is recommended to prevent deficiencies.

The addition of salt to grain diets fed to wethers and rams may also assist in the prevention of bladder stones and urinary blockages by increasing water intake.

For further information, contact your local veterinarian or Agriculture Victoria veterinary officer or animal health officer.

Almost 4000 hectares of prime agricultural land in Gippsland will be permanently exempted from mining and minerals exploration, the Andrews Labor Government has announced.

Minister for Resources Jaclyn Symes last week announced protection for the Mitchell River floodplain near Glenaladale, a prime irrigated horticultural area producing a wide variety of fresh vegetables including lettuce, cabbage, peas, capsicum and sweet corn.

The exempted area - stretching from Glenaladale to Hillside - is highly valued for its produce, with farm gate production estimated at over $100 million per year, providing up to 2000 permanent and seasonal jobs.

Geological studies show low potential for minerals development in the floodplain area, which makes mining in the area less likely to be commercially viable compared to the highly productive horticulture businesses in that area.

Ms Symes said the decision to exempt this area from minerals exploration and mining licencing provides certainty to the highly productive Mitchell River floodplain horticultural businesses and the many people working in the industry across Gippsland.

Regulatory decisions on exploration licence applications in the broadacre grazing areas away from the floodplain are on hold while the EES and public exhibition process assess the compatibility of sand mining in this landscape.

Market report for 24th and 25th July

There was some very good vealers sold to top 343.2 in a yarding of 126 which is 32 less than last week where good cattle in short supply sold very well.

In a day where averages were up, with heavy cattle selling to increased demand. Secondary cattle there was increased demand with restockers keen to purchase better bred cattle.

84 vealers sold to 343.2 cents, averaged 286.0 and per head $905.20, down 8.6 cents and $58.37 from last week. 17 heifers sold to 318.2 cents, averaged 279.7 and per head $1182.81, up 84.7 cents and $604.94 from last week. 21 steers sold to 334.2 cents, averaged 282.2 and per head $1270, down 42.6 cents and $451.46 from last week.

The yard average from 126 head was 278.0 and $974.02 per head.

Vealers 1 LimX R&P Spinazzola, Childers 1 LimX Tofts Farm, Trafalgar 1 Sim Rarma Downs, Modella 1 B/Blue S Failia, Willow Grove Heifers 1 R/Ang Ryrie Farms, Neerim Sth 1 LimX B&S Garratt, Moe Steers 1 Ang HW Hotchkin, Childers 565 334.2 1888 1 Lim B&S Garratt, Moe 485 329.2 1596 Thursday’s cow and bull sale. Cow numbers were down on last week but sold very well considering the quality of the cattle yarded.

405 cows which is 34 less, 22 bulls, 30 steers, with a full field of buyers.

405 cows sold to 300.0 cents, averaged 224.9 and per head $1118.73, up 3.4 cents from last week.

22 bulls sold to 331.6 cents, averaged 284.5 and per head $2232.98, up 34.1 cents from last week.

30 steers sold to 274.2 cents, averaged 246.8 and per head $1224.35, down 39.8 cents from last week. Beef Cows 1 R/Ang J Goudie, Warragul 755 1 W/B A Furborough, Tynong 550 1 Ang G&L Anderson, Longwarry 705 1 Ang C&J Lackman, Yarragon Sth 530 1 Sim AJ&GD McDonald, D/W 725 Dairy Cows 1 Frn JWG&NE Webb, G/B 1 Frn G&R Atherton, Drouin 3 Frn B&T Elliott, Drouin Sth 1 Frn RSC Coster, Cloverlea 1 Frn C Elliott, Nilma Steers 5 Frn 4 Frn 2 Frn Bulls 1 Lim 1 Ang 1 Ang R&E Penney, Cloverlea CJ Williamson, Bona Vista T Kubale, Rokeby

D Britt, Warragul Molare P/L, NNG RSC Coster, Cloverlea

SEJ, 4. Elders, 5. Landmark.

350 360 440 425

485 510 595 730 670 570 685

528 529 533

343.2 1201 335.0 1278 334.6 1472 330.0 1402

315.0 1527 314.2 1602 300.0 2295 290.0 1590 288.2 2031 285.2 1511 276.6 2005

271.6 1616 269.6 1968 266.6 1786 266.6 1519 265.2 1816

265.2 1400 259.6 1372 247.6 1318

855 321.2 2746 845 319.6 2700 890 315.6 2808 1. Scotts, 2. NGL, 3.

The Victorian Rural Women’s Network (VRWN) has announced the opening of the Victorian Rural Women’s Leadership and Mentoring Program 2020.

The program was recently at a beef property and home of 2019 leadership program participant Caroline Thomson.

Caroline was the recipient of a VRWN funded place on The Observership Program which offered the opportunity to sit as an observer on the Victorian Farmers Federation Board.

The initiative is designed to maximise opportunities for rural Victorian women working in the agricultural sector to upskill and step into decision-making roles.

Applications are now open for the Williamson Community Leadership Program (targeted to women with considerable leadership experience).

For further information, contact the Victorian Rural Women's Network at vrwnetwork@ ecodev.vic.gov.au.