Takingstockofyourfuture Th reat of Indiancouch
4
Thursday February 25, 2021 QUEENSLAND COUNTRY LIFE - SOUTHERN EDITION 22 queenslandcountrylife.com.au 13 25 23 futurebeef.com.au Taking stock of your future reat of Indian couch I NDIAN couch (Both- riochloa pertusa), also known as Indian bluegrass, is an invasive naturalised grass found right across the eastern seaboard of Queensland. It is a very successful grass that can invade both small and large spaces. Whilst Indian couch tol- erates grazing and provides good ground cover, concerns are that it is replacing desirable 3P (productive, palatable, perennial) grasses to form less productive 'monoculture' systems. Despite its ability to arrest soil erosion, its shallower root system compared with desirable native or improved grasses is associated with reduced water infiltration, increased run-off, and greater susceptibility to drought making this grass a less reliable feed source. e spread of Indian couch can also be a symp- tom of land degradation, with production losses a result of declines in land condition. In the Burnett-Mary, Indian couch can be found in paddocks and road reserves and can be easily spread after wet periods and via farm machinery. It is be- lieved to have spread since the early 80s, with very low levels observed in pastures at Gayndah in 1986. On Brian Pastures Re- search Station in Gayndah, historical records of Indian couch were compared with more recent levels, showing Indian couch increased from zero to 18 per cent over the 80s and 90s, with a further increase to 32pc in 2018. Indian couch has been observed further south of the Burnett-Mary along roadways in Surat and Roma districts. What do producers think? Some Burnett-Mary producers regard Indian couch as a nuisance grass that spreads rapidly. e issue of Indian couch is a double-edged sword. On one hand, it is a source of feed for cattle but on the other hand, it grows less bulk than other pastures and threatens to reduce carrying capacity. What is clear is that Indian couch can provide excellent ground cover and stabilise soil, and is a better option when compared to many other grasses found in the Burnett-Mary, such as Afri- can lovegrass, GRT, Grader grass, Chilean needle grass, Mexican feather grass, and green and blue couch. It is even known to out-compete creeping lantana. What does the science reveal? Controlled ageing trials conducted by the Tropical Weeds Research Centre, Charters Towers indicate Indian couch seed persists and remains viable for more than three years. e University of Queens- land (UQ) investigated pasture trends as related to different stocking rates. ey found relationships for native 3P grasses but not for Indian couch. e propor- tion of Indian couch in the pasture could not be related to grazing strategy, sug- gesting grazing alone isn't enough to control Indian couch. In contrast, desirable native pasture species were affected by grazing strategy and preferred being rota- tionally grazed. Another study by UQ looked at the effects of fire on Indian couch seed relative to native Black speargrass. is preliminary work showed differential responses in germination and viability following exposure to heat and smoke treatments. For Indian couch, there was both reduced heat tolerance and no stimula- tory effect of plant-derived smoke on seeds compared to Black speargrass. It was speculated that the greater susceptibility of Indian couch to high temperatures is most likely attributed to seed morphology as it lacks a hard seed coat. Where to from here? Firstly, make sure you are managing the right grass! Indian couch can be easily mistaken for other tropical perennial grasses such as creeping bluegrass, Sheda and Angleton grass. Adopting a combination of practices that are targeted at the management of both desirable and undesirable pasture species may be necessary. e potential role of fire for controlling Indian couch has been implicated and could prove useful in reducing seed loads. Management of desirable pasture species to ensure their survival in the pasture, such as through resting, will be essential for reducing opportunities for Indian couch invasion. In situations where Indian couch has become the dominant species, options for management may need to focus on working with the grass rather than against it, such as increasing the productivity of Indian couch pastures with legumes or through a fertiliser regime, or otherwise by sowing com- petitive but more desirable grasses. Over the next 12 months, 'best-bet' management guidelines will be devel- oped for producers as part of a project led by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and jointly funded by Meat & Livestock Australia. Both producer and research knowledge will be used to determine practical solutions. For more information contact Dr Nicole Spiegel, Department of Agriculture & Fisheries, 0436 951 988. Production impacts are being quantified for Indian couch (left) relative to Black speargrass (right) at the Brian Pastures Research Station. Photo taken on May 22, 2019. ‘ ‘ In the Burnett-Mary, Indian couch can be found in paddocks and road reserves and can be easily spread after wet periods and via farm machinery. Indian couch in the Burnett-Mary: Why we need to know more! INTERNATIONALLY ACCLAIMED World Leaders in Open Grazing and Feedlot Shade Design Structures AWARD WINNING SHADE FABRIC Researched and Designed right here in Queensland for Australian conditions AW3972788 From Concept to Completion Morning Afternoon Protect from Evaporation www.netprocanopies.com Call Mick • Mb. 0407 693 404 • Ph. 1300 NETPRO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE GOVERNMENT INSTANT ASSET WRITE OFF Please seek your own independent tax advice
Transcript of Takingstockofyourfuture Th reat of Indiancouch
Thursday February 25, 2021QUEENSLANDCOUNTRYLIFE - SOUTHERNEDITION22 queenslandcountrylife.com.au
13 25 23 futurebeef.com.au
Taking stock of your future
Threat of Indian couch
INDIAN couch (Both-riochloa pertusa),also known as Indianbluegrass, is an invasive
naturalised grass found rightacross the eastern seaboardof Queensland.
It is a very successful grassthat can invade both smalland large spaces.
Whilst Indian couch tol-erates grazing and providesgood ground cover, concernsare that it is replacingdesirable 3P (productive,palatable, perennial) grassesto form less productive'monoculture' systems.
Despite its ability to arrestsoil erosion, its shallowerroot system compared withdesirable native or improvedgrasses is associated withreduced water infiltration,increased run-off, andgreater susceptibility todrought making this grass aless reliable feed source.
The spread of Indiancouch can also be a symp-tom of land degradation,with production losses aresult of declines in landcondition.
In the Burnett-Mary,Indian couch can be foundin paddocks and roadreserves and can be easilyspread after wet periods andvia farmmachinery. It is be-lieved to have spread sincethe early 80s, with very lowlevels observed in pasturesat Gayndah in 1986.
On Brian Pastures Re-search Station in Gayndah,historical records of Indiancouch were compared withmore recent levels, showing
Indian couch increased fromzero to 18 per cent over the80s and 90s, with a furtherincrease to 32pc in 2018.
Indian couch has beenobserved further south ofthe Burnett-Mary alongroadways in Surat and Romadistricts.
What do producersthink?
Some Burnett-Maryproducers regard Indiancouch as a nuisance grassthat spreads rapidly.Theissue of Indian couch is adouble-edged sword.
On one hand, it is a sourceof feed for cattle but on theother hand, it grows lessbulk than other pastures andthreatens to reduce carryingcapacity.
What is clear is that Indiancouch can provide excellentground cover and stabilisesoil, and is a better optionwhen compared tomanyother grasses found in theBurnett-Mary, such as Afri-can lovegrass, GRT, Gradergrass, Chilean needle grass,Mexican feather grass, andgreen and blue couch. It iseven known to out-competecreeping lantana.
What does the sciencereveal?
Controlled ageing trialsconducted by the TropicalWeeds Research Centre,Charters Towers indicateIndian couch seed persistsand remains viable for morethan three years.
The University of Queens-land (UQ) investigated
pasture trends as relatedto different stocking rates.They found relationships fornative 3P grasses but not forIndian couch.The propor-tion of Indian couch in thepasture could not be relatedto grazing strategy, sug-
gesting grazing alone isn'tenough to control Indiancouch. In contrast, desirablenative pasture species wereaffected by grazing strategyand preferred being rota-tionally grazed.
Another study by UQ
looked at the effects offire on Indian couch seedrelative to native Blackspeargrass.This preliminarywork showed differentialresponses in germinationand viability followingexposure to heat and smoketreatments.
For Indian couch, therewas both reduced heattolerance and no stimula-tory effect of plant-derivedsmoke on seeds comparedto Black speargrass. It wasspeculated that the greatersusceptibility of Indiancouch to high temperaturesis most likely attributed toseedmorphology as it lacksa hard seed coat.
Where to fromhere?Firstly, make sure you are
managing the right grass!Indian couch can be easilymistaken for other tropicalperennial grasses such ascreeping bluegrass, Shedaand Angleton grass.
Adopting a combinationof practices that are targetedat themanagement of bothdesirable and undesirablepasture species may benecessary.
The potential role offire for controlling Indiancouch has been implicatedand could prove useful inreducing seed loads.
Management of desirablepasture species to ensuretheir survival in the pasture,such as through resting, willbe essential for reducingopportunities for Indiancouch invasion.
In situations where Indiancouch has become thedominant species, optionsfor managementmay needto focus on working withthe grass rather than againstit, such as increasing theproductivity of Indian couchpastures with legumes orthrough a fertiliser regime,or otherwise by sowing com-petitive but more desirablegrasses.
Over the next 12months,'best-bet' managementguidelines will be devel-oped for producers aspart of a project led by theDepartment of Agricultureand Fisheries and jointlyfunded byMeat & LivestockAustralia.
Both producer andresearch knowledge will beused to determine practicalsolutions.
Formore informationcontact Dr Nicole Spiegel,Department of Agriculture &Fisheries, 0436 951 988.
Production impacts are being quantified for Indian couch (left) relative to Blackspeargrass (right) at the Brian Pastures Research Station. Photo taken on May 22, 2019.
‘‘In the Burnett-Mary, Indian couchcan be found in paddocks and roadreserves and can be easily spreadafter wet periods and via farmmachinery.
Indian couch in the Burnett-Mary: Whywe need to know more!
INTERNATIONALLYACCLAIMEDWorld Leaders in Open Grazing andFeedlot Shade Design Structures
AWARDWINNING SHADE FABRICResearched and Designed right here
in Queensland for Australian conditions
AW39
7278
8
From Concept to Completion
Morning Afternoon Protect from Evaporation
www.netprocanopies.comCall Mick • Mb. 0407 693 404 • Ph. 1300 NETPRO
TAKEADVANTAGE OFTHEGOVERNMENT INSTANT
ASSETWRITE OFFPlease seek your ownindependent tax advice
Thursday February 25, 2021 QUEENSLANDCOUNTRYLIFE - SOUTHERNEDITION 23queenslandcountrylife.com.au
13 25 23 futurebeef.com.au
Taking stock of your future
Raising poddy calves
REARING a newborncalf can be extreme-ly challenging andrequires much
patience and commitment.The key to success is keep-
ing the calf in a comfortableenvironment, well fed andfree of sickness. Calves mustbe kept in a clean environ-ment with access to a dryand covered area protectedfrom the wind.
Newborn calvesOrphan calves often
show signs of dehydration,depression, lack of appetiteor scouring.
If the calf is to survive,proper care during the first24 hours is critical.
It is essential for thenewborn calf to receivecolostrumwithin the first36 hours of birth - eitherfrom themother or artificialsources.
Colostrum providespassive immunity to diseaseand helps build up vitaminandmineral levels.
It is handy to have a bottleof colostrum in the freezerto feed newborn calves thatmay not have drunk fromtheir mothers. Warm it upto 36 degrees before feedingand if you have amplesupply, feed it for the firsttwo days (normally up to 2Lper feed), in themorningand evening.
Somemilk replacers alsocontain colostrum.
Once the calf has receivedcolostrum, it can be fedsolely on wholemilk or milkreplacers.
Dehydrated calvesThe calf should be rehy-
drated before getting anymilk. Feeding a dehydratedcalf withmilk often results inscours and possibly death.
Electrolyte mixtures arecommercially available orcan bemixed at home from1 teaspoon table salt, 1/2teaspoon baking soda and125mL glucose in 1.2L ofwater. Electrolytes shouldbe fed for at least 24 hoursbeforemilk is given.
Oncemilk feeding hascommenced, electrolytesshould be fed to calvesseveral hours after milkfeedings and should neverbemixed in with themilk ormilk replacer.
Mixing electrolyte powderwith themilk diet doesnot give a scouring calf theadditional water required torehydrate and can changedigestion by altering the ca-sein clot in the abomasum.
Under heat stress condi-tions, electrolytes should begiven at an equal intervalbetweenmilk feedings. Forexample, if calves are fed inthemorning and evening, anelectrolyte feeding should beoffered at noon. If necessary,a second electrolyte feedingcan be offered a few hoursafter the eveningmilkfeeding.
Calculatingelectrolyterequirements
The amount of electrolytesolution needed by the calfto correct dehydration iscalculated bymultiplying
the weight of the calf by thepercentage dehydration.
As an example, the dailyfluid requirement for a 30kgcalf with 7 per cent dehydra-tion is calculated as follows:■ Amount of electrolytesolution needed to correct7pc dehydration = 30 7 100
= 2.1L per day.■ Amount of milk required tomaintain hydration (10pcof body weight) = 30 10100 = 3L per day.Therefore, the estimat-
ed total amount of fluid(electrolyte +milk) = 5.1Lper day.
Tips for a successfulcalf-feeding program■ Milk replacers shouldcontain at least 20pcprotein and 10pc fat andno more than 10pc starchand sugars (sucrose).Milk replacers shouldbe reconstituted andfed as directed by themanufacturers.
■ Increasing the proportionof powder is oftenrecommended for once-a-day feeding to reduce thetotal volume required.
■ When rearing a largenumber of calves, it is bestto draft them according totheir feeding habit.
■ Milk should be given
in separate feeds in themorning and evening,preferably at a regulartime.When calves areyoung, they need to befed smaller amounts moreoften (every eight hours).As the calf gets older, onefeed per day is acceptable- preferably in the morningwith access to plenty ofcool, clean water. Splitfeeding is ideal.
■ It is essential to practicegood hygiene at all timeswhilst rearing calves.
■ Do not over-feed calves,especially during their firstthree weeks of life, as itmay cause scouring. As aguide milk should be fedat 10pc of the calf's bodyweight per day.
■ Start newborn and weakcalves on 250mL of milk,five times a day for thefirst 24-48 hours.
■ Do not suddenly changethe quantity of milk beingfed.
■ Provide clean fresh water.■ As calves grow they willdrink more, however, milkreplacer is expensive.It is often cheaper tosupplement the calf withpellets/grain. Make thisavailable to calves all thetime.They will graduallyincrease their intake of agrain supplement as theygrow.This will also makethem easier to wean.
■ Solid feed such asgood quality hay andconcentrates can beintroduced in limitedamounts from one to twoweeks of age.Formore information visit
futurebeef.com.au.■ Megan GurnettDepartment of Agricultureand Fisheries,Toowoomba,[email protected] .
If the poddy calf is to survive, proper care during the first 24 hours is critical.
‘‘Colostrum provides passiveimmunity to disease and helpsbuild up vitamin andminerallevels.
Understand the challenges that comewith raising poddy calves.
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Thursday February 25, 2021QUEENSLANDCOUNTRYLIFE - SOUTHERNEDITION24 queenslandcountrylife.com.au
13 25 23 futurebeef.com.au
Taking stock of your future
BEEF Australia recently an-nounced that Beef 2021 isgoing ahead in Rockhamp-ton inMay.
As a principal partner ofthe event, the Queenslandgovernment is thrilled tohear that Beef 2021 is on!
We'll have booths at theSidney Kidman Pavilion andin the TechYards, showcas-ing regional initiatives, in-
novative ag-tech workshopsand pop-up chat sessions.
Our Drought and ClimateAdaptation Program (DCAP)team will be there to talkabout ways to build resil-ience to drought and climateimpacts that can help youmanage financial risks whilemaking important decisionsaround droughts and climatevariability.
We'll also showyoua rangeof tools and strategies to helpmanage degraded land andre-establish ground cover,plus new seminars aroundlegumes for grass-fed beefproduction, pasture diebackresearch and drought anddisaster management-just toname a few.
Tickets go on sale in Feb-ruary 2021.
Beef 2021 gets the green light
Start planning your visit to Beef21 now. Photo by Department of Agriculture andFisheries.
Technology toplay a big roleat Beef 2021THE Camm AgriculturalGroup isoneofQueensland'slargest family-run producersand operates at nine sitesthroughout the state.
Theyhavebeef cattle prop-erties in North Queenslandand Central Queensland anda feedlot outside Dalby onthe Darling Downs.
"There have been manyinnovations that have al-lowed our family companyto take what I call 'giant leapsforward' and achieve costefficiencies in our produc-tion systems and maintainmargins," Camm Agricul-tural Group CEO and BeefAustralia 2021 chairmanBryce Camm said.
"These include helicoptermustering, the introductionof polythene to pipe water,the introduction of buffelgrass into northern Australiaand the breeding of tropical-ly adapted cattle.
"On our properties at themoment, the AgTech weare investing in includes
the conversion into solar topump all our surface andbore water and GPS technol-ogies in our tractors, headersand sprayers tominimise ourinputs, such as fertilisers andchemicals.
"At the feedlot, we haveinvested heavily in connec-tivity ensuring we have high-speed wireless broadbandfromDalby."
Mr Camm can see inno-vations coming in animalhealth monitoring, feedingefficiencies through the useof automated bunks, dronesfor mustering and micro-wave for grain processing,rather than steam flaking.
"The on-going support ofDepartment of Agricultureand Fisheries (Queensland)in AgTech is welcome, asis the Queensland govern-ment's sponsorship of Beef2021," he said.
"Queensland's agricul-tural industry continues tolead innovations for greaterefficiencies and to meet
consumer demands, and it'simportant we support ourAgtech innovators as well aspromote industry adoption.
"AgTech will form a bigpart of the offerings at Beef2021, and we are proud to bepresenting the Ken CoombeTech Yards as part of the pro-gram.
"These Tech Yards will giveus the opportunity to pres-ent the next game-changinginnovations to the industry,and those attending can gethands-on with the technol-ogy."
The yards are named afterKen Coombe, the first Beef2021 chairman who sadlypassed away this year.
"His work at StanbrokePastoral Co andhis contribu-tion to beef breeding serviceshave left a significant legacyfor the northern beef indus-try," Mr Camm said.
Beef 2021 will be held inRockhampton fromMay 2-8,2021.Visit beefaustralia.com.au for more information.
Camm Agricultural Group CEO and Beef Australia 2021 chairman Bryce Camm is afourth-generation cattle producer.
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Thursday February 25, 2021 QUEENSLANDCOUNTRYLIFE - SOUTHERNEDITION 25queenslandcountrylife.com.au
Help guidethe future ofQld's sheepWHAT does the LeadingSheep Producer AdvisoryPanel (PAP) offer you asa Queensland sheep andwool producer?
You get to meet withother forward-thinkingindustry leaders fromright across the state, gainaccess to the latest sheepand wool industry findingsand help guide the futureinvestment and direction ofLeading Sheep.
PAP membership is asmall commitment.Thepanel meets only two tothree times a year, using amix of face-to-face meet-ings and teleconferencing.
To nominate, submit yourshort, no more than onepage, expression of interestat leadingsheep.com.au.
Take steps tomitigateheat stress in your ramsASWE approach the autumnjoining season in Queens-land, it's critical that sheepproducers consider the im-pact of heat stress on ramfertility.
Effective ram manage-ment in the seven to eightweeks prior to joining isimportant to maximise ramfertility and productivity.
Due to husbandry advan-tages, industry has widelyadopted shorter joiningperiods of approximately sixweeks or less, making opti-mum ram fertility an evengreater priority.
Veterinarian and LeadingSheep regional coordina-tor for the south region DrNoel O'Dempsey, said thatif overheated, rams can berendered infertile for sevenweeks.
"A ram that has sufferedfrom heat stress before join-ing could successfully serveewes for up to three weekswith stored mature sperm,as it's less likely to be affect-ed than sperm in the earlydevelopment phases," DrO'Dempsey said.
"However, there will bea seven-week timeframebefore new viable sperm isproduced, which in shorterjoining periods can createsignificant productivityproblems for producers.
"Even if rams are joined at2 per cent for maiden ewes,on average, they must find,tease and breed with ap-proximately 50 ewes in thefirst cycle, so effective rammanagement leading up tojoining is essential."
As both a producer andveterinarian, Dr O'Dempseysaid there are several ram
management practices thatshould be implemented tomaximise the chance of suc-cessful joining.
"Rams should be palpated
at least twice annually, wellahead of joining. As somerams age, they develop var-icoceles above the testiclewhich can interferewith heatexchange and cooling.Theserams should be culled andreplaced," he said.
"To further protect ramsfrom heat stress, they shouldbe shorn at least one monthahead of joining to mitigatethe impact of handling stresson the ram and to offer somewool for insulation and pro-tection from heat. Optimum
insulation is only seen whenthe fleece length reaches 30to 40millimetres. Shearing iscritical to reducing flystrikeas well, which in severe casescan render a ram infertile.
"Keep your ram paddockfor rams only to avoid un-necessary mustering. Whentaking rams out for joining,consider trucking them orif walking, go slowly and bevigilant in monitoring forsigns of heat stress.
"Watching breathing isthe most effective way tomonitor this, as 65pc of heatloss in sheep occurs throughpanting."
For more information andto subscribe to the LeadingSheep monthly 'Around theCamp' eNewsletter go toleadingsheep.com.au.
Rams in a paddock located only a short distance from the yards.
Research shows increased heat stress can impact flockproductivity.
■ Mild - mild to fastpanting, but with aclosed mouth.
■ Moderate - fast panting,with rapid chestmovements progressingto mouth slightly open,but the tongue is notextended beyond thelips.
■ Severe heat stress -rapid, open-mouthpanting, the neckextended, head held upand tongue extended.
Signs of heat stress
Managingewes in thehotmonthsHEAT stress on ewescan significantly impactlambing success.
An increase in metabolicheat production during ges-tation can predispose ewesto heat stress, which inearly pregnancy can resultin abortion or reabsorptionof the foetus.
Leading Sheep regionalcoordinator Dr NoelO'Dempsey, said ewesshould be mustered andhandled gently in the heat.
"Lambs are also highlysusceptible to heat,"he said.
"It's critical that lambsand ewes have easy accessto water, but be sure toplace bricks or blocks introughs so lambs can easilyget out if they fall in."
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