Tennant Creek show bigger and better than ... - dpir.nt.gov.au Web viewExhibitors included Brunette...

TENNANT CREEK SHOW

WHAT IMPACT HAS GRAZING HAD ON SOIL CARBON?

RESEARCH ON THE BARKLY

CATTLE DISEASES ON THE BARKLY

THE UU IN THE BARKLY- BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF PARKINSONIA

TERRITORY NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT UPDATE

FARM FINANCE CONCESSIONAL LAOANS SCHEME

NT DPIF ANNUAL BULL CLEARNANCE

NT FIELD DAYS

BIOSECURITY UPDATES

WHAT WHEN & WHERE

AROUND THE TRAPS

PASTORAL MARKET UPDATEISSN: 1325-9539

September 2014

Tennant Creek show bigger and better than ever!Casey Collier, Pastoral Production, Tennant Creek

What a ripper year! After a poor 2012/2013 wet season and subsequently poor season, cattle numbers and show attendance were down last year and organisers were considering whether or not the Tennant Creek Show should continue to host a cattle judging competition this year. After consultation with local producers and some serious discussions among ourselves, it was decided that the cattle section would have one last chance. And aren’t we glad we did

This year saw the largest number of nominations since 2004 with 41 pens and 84 cattle nominated from across the Barkly. Exhibitors included Brunette Downs, Anthony

DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES BARKLY BEEF | page 1www.dpif.nt.gov.au

Anthony and Cassie Cox, Anthony Lagoon Station, with their pen of two heifers 250-350 kg, which won the President’s Cup Supreme Exhibit

Pieter Conradie (DPIF Alice Springs), Jane Tincknell (DPIF Alice Springs) and Helen McMillan (DPIF Tennant Creek) ensured everyone was well fed throughout the day.

Lagoon, Eva Downs, Avon/Austral Downs, Helen Springs, Charles Darwin University and Phillip Creek Stations.

The competition was very intense and all competitors should be proud of the high quality stock that was on display. The results are shown below. A big thanks to Anthony Lagoon Station for bringing in the poddy for the “Guess the Weight” competition which was won by Millie How of Eva Downs with a weight of 369 kg. Michael “Chook” Fowler from Brunchilly won the “Guess the Number of Jellybeans” (795), Troy Johnson from Charles Darwin University won the “Guess the Number of Eartags” (107). Competition for “Guess the Breed” was fierce this year, however Blythe Stafford from Alice Springs managed to get 100% in the City Slickers division and Luke Atton, Landmark Alice Springs also blitzed the Pastoralists division.

Cattle Section Results

Class Sponsor First Second Third

Pen of 2 Bulls Landmark Alice Springs

Charles Darwin University

Brunette Downs Helen Springs

Single Local Bull Helimuster NT Helen Springs

Pen of 2 Mature Breeding Cows

Elanco Animal Health Brunette Downs Helen Springs

Pen of 2 Heifers 180-250 kg

Outback Stores Eva Downs Brunette Downs Helen Springs

Pen of 2 Heifers 250 – 350 kg

Territory Communications

Anthony Lagoon Helen Springs Phillip Creek

Pen of 2 Heifers 350 – 450 kg

Metals X Charles Darwin University

Brunette Downs Avon & Austral Downs

Pen of 2 Steers 180-250 kg

Lavery Plumbing Anthony Lagoon

Pen of 2 Steers 250 – 350kg

Coopers Animal Health

Phillip Creek Helen Springs Eva Downs

Pen of 2 Mickeys 180-250 kg

Barkly Plumbing Helen Springs Eva Downs Charles Darwin University

Led Calf Lions Park to be continued ????

Marney Jones & Cupcake, Anthony Lagoon

Aggregate Points (Sponsor: Barkly Plumbing):Helen Springs

President’s Cup Supreme Exhibit (Sponsor: Outback Stores):Anthony Lagoon – Pen of 2 Heifers 250-350 kg

Once again we would like to thank our valued sponsors Barkly Plumbing Services, Outback Stores, Metals X Limited, Cooper’s Animal Health, Landmark Alice Springs, Elanco, Helimuster, Territory Communications, Lions Park, Lavery Plumbing and Elders Alice Springs for their continued support of the cattle section. Thank you also goes to Luke Atton who travelled


up from Alice Springs to be our judge on the day and assist with giving out the awards at the Barkly Beef Dinner.

Barkly Beef Dinner

The Barkly Beef Dinner traditionally held on the night of the show was a great success this year and provided a wonderful opportunity for town and country folk to mingle whilst enjoying a delicious meal, great company and good music. Organisers Emma Sauer and Jess Turner did a fantastic job decorating tables, setting up the room and judging the best dressed male and female. Shaun Coutts manned the microphone as MC and ensured the night ran smoothly. The AACo meat was cooked to perfection, the bar staff kept the attendees well watered and DJ Nathan finally shut down the dance floor at 1.30 am. A great night was had by all!

What impact has grazing had on soil carbon?Dionne Walsh, Rangeland Program Manager, Berrimah Farm

Findings from the East Ranken Stocking Rate & Spelling Demonstration Site (Alexandria) - 2013

DPIF has been monitoring the pastures at three bores in East Ranken paddock every year since 2010.

The three bores differ in age – No. 10 was established in 1910, No. 124 was first used in 2005 and No. 153 was first used in 2010.

We monitor the pastures at 13 distances from each bore, starting at 100 m and going out to 5 km from water.

The paddock is 700 km², well watered and all Mitchell grass pastures (Barkly land system). In July 2013 Dionne Walsh and Peter Shotton did some soil carbon sampling at the demo site.

We sampled at three distances from water (100-500 m, 1400-1500 m and 3000-3500 m) and also sampled turkey nest enclosures at two of the bores to answer:

o What soil carbon levels are typical on black soil plains in the Barkly region?o Do soil carbon levels change with long-term grazing duration (age of bore)?o Do soil carbon levels change with grazing intensity (distance from water)?o Are soil carbon levels significantly correlated with land condition?

Results

Soil carbon was found to be relatively low in the productive black soils in East Ranken (typically <0.5%). These figures are very similar to unpublished data for Barkly black soils from the NT Department of Land Resource Management.

When converted to carbon stock (tonnes per hectare), the figures in East Ranken were typically in the order of 4-6 tonnes per hectare in the top 10 cm and 10-15 tonnes per hectare in the top 30 cm.

Soil carbon was highest in the top 10 cm of soil and declined with depth at all locations. There was no apparent relationship between soil carbon levels and age of bore.


Organisers Jess Turner and Emma Sauer award the prize for best dressed female to Laurel Anderson (Helen Springs Station).

Soil sampling on AlexandraStation, Barkly Tabeland, NT.

There was no consistent trend in soil carbon with distance from water. The highest levels were actually found at 100 m from the oldest bore, possibly due to the disturbance, accumulation of dung and/or high turnover of annual plants close to that old water.

Soils from the fenced off turkey nests did not have significantly more carbon than the grazed areas, suggesting that up to 100 years of grazing has had no discernable negative impact on soil carbon levels in this paddock.

If typical, these results suggest that the potential for earning soil carbon credits in the Barkly will be low.

Exclosure 100-500m 1400-1500m

3000-3500m

0.05.0

10.015.020.025.030.0

Soil Carbon Stocks to 30cm Depth

Bore 10 Bore 124 Bore 153

Distance from Bore

Soil

Carb

on (t

onne

s/ha

)

The Climate Clever Beef project is supported until May 2015 by funding from NT DPIF and the Australian Government.

Contact: Dionne Walsh, Berrimah Farm, 8999 2178, or [email protected]

The grass counters and cow chasers – DPIF projects on the Barkly

Helen McMillan, Pastoral Production Officer, Tennant Creek

We have four different projects in full swing on the Barkly covering both pasture performance and cattle breeding.

The first grass counting trip was out to Newcastle Waters station where NT DPIF and the Cooperative Research Centre for Remote Economic Participation (CRC-REP) have a highly innovative project underway. This project was implemented late last year and is developing an online management system that monitors and analyses both cattle and pasture performance. We have been involved in determining how well the online system is monitoring the pasture by going out into the paddock and checking up on it.

We had been chomping at the bit to get out and sample since January, but Mother Nature brought rain and we didn’t get out there until April. But rain grows grass and grass grows beef, so we were very happy for the rain. This project aims to develop new management tools that deliver precision and spatial data to match livestock performance to environmental conditions for more efficient pastoral management. We sampled a second time early in July and are looking to get back out there soon before Mother Nature steps in again.


Left: Project Leader Sally Leigo makes the most of a photo opportunity. Right: Swampy parts of the paddock were still wet in July!

Beetaloo Station was our second grass counting trip for the year and required us to rough it a little and camp out. But let me tell you that they have one of THE BEST camp showers out and the sunsets and stars weren’t too bad either! On Beetaloo we are measuring the land condition, pasture performance and species composition but we get to do it on quad bikes--which was not as much fun as I first thought it was going to be.) We also got to try out tablets, our new technology for data collection. We all agreed that this was a very big step up from our old brick-like TDS computers.. Out on Beetaloo they have implemented an adaptive grazing program that involves intensive rotational grazing to improve turn-off and land condition. This project is in its third year and we are hoping to get back out in October and have another look.

Top Left: The new tablets. Top right: The A Team testing out the new tablets. Bottom left: scenery heading back to camp. Bottom right: view down the fence line between two rotation paddocks.

On Alexandria Station out on the eastern Barkly we have a bore spelling and stocking rate demonstration which is in its fourth year of sampling. We are assessing the land condition and species composition at three different aged bores out to five kilometres from water. This is because research has found that 80-90% of all grazing on the Barkly occurs within 5 km of water. The oldest bore we are


sampling was drilled in 1910, the middle one in 2004 and the youngest bore was drilled in 2010. The demonstration aims to show whether wet season spelling in conjunction with the sustainable stocking rates that are practiced at Alexandria can improve land condition at old bores and maintain good land condition at young bores. The result being that more feed can be maintained closer to water.

Left: Jane Douglas rugged up against the Barkly Breeze. Right: Flat open paddock full of Mitchell grass.

Last but not least there is a bull breeding producer demonstration site (PDS) currently running at Helen Springs demonstrating how to run a bull multiplier herd on a large scale under extensive conditions. The trial is currently in its second year of data collection. The first round of bulls have been through a selection process including a bull breeding soundness examination (BBSE) and were semen tested at approximately 18 months of age. The second round of bulls were weaned earlier this year and are growing out in the paddock. They will have an end of dry season weight, hip height and scrotal size collected towards the end of the year. A field day to be held in 2015 will demonstrate the step-by-step process involved in setting up a bull multiplier herd. Stay tuned for more details on this in future editions of the Barkly Beef.

If you would like to know any more about any of the trials on the Barkly please don’t hesitate to contact us:

Newcastle Waters Precision Pastoral Management Tools: Sally Leigo 08 8951 8144, [email protected]

Beetaloo Rotational Grazing trial: Jane Douglas 08 8962 4483, [email protected]

Alexandria Bore Spelling and Stocking Rate trial: Casey Collier 08 8962 4493, [email protected] Helen McMillan 08 8962 4486, [email protected]

Helen Springs Bull Breeding PDS:Casey Collier 08 8962 4493, [email protected]


Important cattle diseases affecting productivity in the NT--Vibriosis

John Eccles, Regional Veterinary Officer, Katherine

Many cattle producers probably do not realise the extent of economic loss that can occur through reproductive failure in their cattle. In well-managed herds, an accepted level of reproductive wastage from early pregnancy to weaning is about 10%. Heifers and first calf cows are the groups most likely affected by reproductive diseases, as older cows have generally developed some degree of immunity through previous exposure.

Besides the three major causes of productivity loss that will be discussed, there are many other non-infectious factors that contribute to infertility and productivity loss. In fact, up to 60% of bovine abortion cases may be attributed to non-infectious causes.

This is the first in a series of three articles featuring the three most common infectious diseases found in the NT that have the ability to severely affect the productivity of the breeder herd in terms of fertility. The diseases profiled over the coming editions of Barkly Beef include vibriosis, pestivirus and ephemeral fever (three-day sickness). Other diseases including leptospirosis, trichomoniasis, neosporosis, akabane and a host of other viruses, whilst existing in the NT, are generally less concerning.

Campylobacter (Vibriosis)This venereal disease is found in every region of the NT including the Barkly. It is transmitted at mating and also can be transferred during artificial insemination. The organism that causes the disease is very persistent and inhabits the reproductive tract of cows and becomes established in the prepuce, penis and semen of bulls.

Vibriosis infection causes repeated return to service associated with embryonic mortality and abortions in mid gestation—as well as pyometra.

Branding rates in infected heifer groups can be 20% less than non-infected groups. In all-year round mated herds, however, the disease is hard to detect and is often not recognised.

Signs and symptomso There are no obvious signs in the bull.o A cow/heifer that gets infected at mating will abort due to the early death of the embryo; however,

the infected uterus prevents fertilisation from recurring. About 11% of females can become permanently infertile and can be seen as big fat barren cows.

o In herds where vibriosis is commonly found, low conception rates are most evident in the maiden heifers as they are all susceptible, having not been exposed to develop immunity.

o The most common signs of vibriosis are delayed conception and occasionally aborted foetuses between three and seven months of age.

Prevention and controlPregnancy testing the breeding herd and incorporating a vaccination program is the most effective way to control vibriosis.

Pregnancy testing

o With the breeding herd a common practice is to pregnancy test only dry cows at first-round muster and cull non-pregnant animals from the herd. This procedure identifies cows that have a calving interval of more than 18-24 months, suggesting that these cows may have been infected and harbouring the vibriosis-causing bacteria. Approximately 1-10% of breeders will be culled for infertility and this will reduce the level of infection within the herd.

o Culling both aged and infected bulls and seasonal mating can also reduce the impact of this disease. It is suggested that bulls older than eight years should be culled.


Vaccination

o All bulls should be given primary and secondary vaccinations prior to first mating and then vaccinated annually at the final round of mustering. For the vaccination program to be successful, total bull control must be achieved.

o Maiden heifers may also be vaccinated prior to mating. In the latest industry survey it was found that for the Barkly region 62 properties carried out a vaccination program with 31 properties vaccinated only the bulls and 31 vaccinated the bulls and maiden heifers. This equated to 38% of maiden heifers in the Barkly region and 67% of bulls being vaccinated for vibriosis.

o A bivalent vaccine is recommended and all animals should be vaccinated at least four weeks prior to joining to ensure that the vaccine has time to take effect. The vaccine costs approximately $7 per shot and is available over the counter.

o NOTE that vaccination programs must be done annually as animals lose their immunity.

In the next edition of the Barkly Beef we’ll examine the effect of pestivirus on the productivity of the breeder herd.

If you have any questions regarding any of these diseases or others, please contact John Eccles, Regional Veterinary Officer, on 08 8973 9716, or [email protected].

The UU in the Barkly--an updateMeg Humphreys, District Weeds Officer, Tennant Creek

In 2013 the Weed Management Branch of theDepartment of Land Resource Management began rearing the parkinsonia biological control agent, Ueuepithecia cisplatensis, commonly referred to as UU. Over the last 18 months Weed Sciences staff have reared and released more than 19,000 UU caterpillars in the labs in Darwin, enabling multiple mass releases across the Territory, with many of these taking place in the Barkly Region. UU is host specific so it can complete its lifecycle on parkinsonia only and poses no threat to native plants.

Parkinsonia, originally from the Americas, is now widely spread across the NT, WA and QLD. Because of the severity of its impacts, parkinsonia is recognised as a Weed of National Significance (WoNS). Parkinsonia is generally found along river systems in semi-arid and semi-humid regions of Australia. In the NT it can be found as far south as Alice Springs and as all the way up to Darwin. It is a declared Class B and Class C weed under the Weeds Management Act, which means its growth and spread is to be controlled, and it must not be introduced into the Territory.

A biological control program is generally used for weed species where eradication is no longer feasible. The intention is not to replace other control methods, but rather that they be used in conjunction with an existing weed management program. Biocontrol programs aim to reduce the vigour of the target plant, reducing viable seed output and increasing the effectiveness of chemical and physical control options. The UU will be the fourth agent released for parkinsonia in the Territory, and of these only one seed feeding beetle, Penthobruchus germaini, is recorded as being established, with reports of up to 99% of seeds being destroyed where populations are high.

The Weed Management Branch will continue to release and monitor UU across major infestations of Parkinsonia until 2016. CSIRO has already begun rearing the next insect which is almost identical to UU and from 2016 the Weed Management Branch will commence rearing and releasing that insect, known as U2.


Adult UU moth. Photo : CSIRO. UU larvae. Photo: CSIRO.

Territory Natural Resource Management updateJon Hodgetts, Regional NRM Co-ordinator Tablelands / Arid Lands

In early August representatives from Territory Nnatural Resource Management, the Department of Land Resources (DLRM) and the Museum and Art Gallery (MAGNT) of the Northern Territory headed out to Brunette Downs station in the heart of the Barkly Tablelands. Here, they met with several members of Corella Creek community to begin a drought refuge survey of the region. Despite the Barkly lakes being ephemeral, various aquatic species continue to thrive and very little is known of their habits. The survey highlighted five semi-permanent waterholes across Brunette, Anthony Lagoon and Alroy Downs, wheresix species of fish were found. A seventh species may be confirmed as we await DNA results from the museum which, will determine whether there are two or three species of catfish.. Interestingly, all surveyed waterholes have evidence of running dry, which leaves the quandary of where the fish survive during prolonged droughts.

The following photos (L to R) show Michael Hammer of MANGT, Angus Duguid (DLRM), Dawson Dodd, Patrick Cutter (both Corella Creek) and Michelle Rodrigo (DLRM) at the first site on Brunette Creek just to the west of the homestead, as they process one of the first netted hauls. Angus Duguid (DLRM) on the Playford River at sunset on Alroy Downs, and lastly some of the several thousand glassfish (Ambassis sp.) netted during the survey.

For more information, please contact Jon Hodgetts at [email protected] or phone 08 8951 9207.

Second round of Farm Finance Concessional Loans SchemeProducers in the Northern Territory are now able to access the second round of the Australian Government’s Farm Finance: Concessional Loans Scheme.

Eligible producers in the agricultural, pastoral, livestock, horticultural, aquacultural or apicultural (beekeeping) industries can submit their applications between 1 July 2014 and 30 April 2015 for the 2014–15 program.

Loans are for less than 50 percent of eligible commercial debt and this year the minimum loan amount has been reduced from $250 000 to $100 000 to enable smaller enterprises to access the scheme. The maximum loan amount remains at $1 million.

The Farm Finance Scheme in the Northern Territory will continue to be delivered by QRAA in Brisbane. QRAA is a specialist administrator of government financial assistance programs to the rural sector. All application forms are available from the NT Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries.

Advice and support regarding scheme guidelines is provided through the department’s Farm Finance Promotions Officer, David Collinson, at [email protected] or phone 8936 4089.

Further information, including scheme guidelines and application forms, is available from the DPIF website http://www.nt.gov.au/d/Primary_Industry or email [email protected]


DPIF Annual Bull ClearanceOur excess Selected Brahman and Composite bulls are sold each year. Normally this is done by a tender process. This year we have decided to give a different method a try…

Bulls will be available for viewing at the

NT Field Days at the Katherine Research Station, 18-19 September 2014.The animals will then be

auctioned onFriday 26 September via the AuctionsPlus online

auction website.

More details will follow, but feel free to contact us for more information.

If you would like to be put on the mailing list for the Bull Clearance as well as other Selected Brahman and Composite tenders please contact the Douglas Daly Research Farm (Spud Thomas, [email protected], 08 8978 2442) or the Katherine Research Station (Whitney Dollemore, [email protected] or 08 8973 9749).


Biosecurity updates

Animal Biosecurity BranchDo you keep poultry, pigs, pigeons, sheep, goats, deer, horses, cattle, buffalo, camelids?

It is mandatory for owners of an identifiable property or block to have a PIC registered for all livestock, including pets, without exception.

Livestock Regulations Section 32(1) states:The owner of an identifiable property must have a PIC registered for the property.An identifiable property is a property that keeps any of the following livestock:Alpacas, buffalo, camels, cattle, deer, goats, horses, llamas, pigs, poultry, pigeons, sheep.

Property Identification Codes – Why?The purpose of property identification is for tracing and controlling disease but also for locating properties/blocks and notifying owners quickly.

In the event of disease being detected, it is absolutely crucial to identify properties/blocks in the surrounding area where livestock reside. This will enable the disease to be isolated and managed rapidly as well as a direct way of contacting livestock owners to keep them up to date of various situations.

PIC registration is free of charge. Please complete the PIC registration form on our website at www.nt.gov.au/d/animalhealth, or contact the Regional Livestock Biosecurity Officer (RLBO) for assistance.

Darwin Region Katherine Region Tennant Creek Region Alice Springs RegionIan Doddrell (RLBO) Greg Scott (RLBO) Tom Haines (A/RLBO) Greg Crawford (RLBO)

Ph: 08 8999 2030 Ph: 08 8973 9754 Ph: 08 8962 4458 Ph: 08 8951 8125


What when & where

September

10 September

Beetaloo Rotational Grazing Field Day

Contact Jane Douglas on 08 8962 4483 or [email protected]

Beetaloo

26-28 September Brunette Campdraft Brunette Downs

October

3-5 October Barkly Goldrush Campdraft Tennant Creek

4 October Tennant Creek Rodeo Tennant Creek

28 October

Delamere Field Day

Contact Jodie Ward on 08 8973 9730 or [email protected]

Delamere

November

4 November Melbourne Cup


Around the trapsHave you taken a good photo? Send it into [email protected]

Shaun Coutts (Coopers Animal Health), Michael Johnson (Brunette Downs) & Anthony Cox (Anthony Lagoon)

mingle at the cattle section.

Marney Jones (Anthony Lagoon) and cupcake took out the Led Calf Class of the competition

The President’s Cup Supreme Exhibit was won by Anthony Lagoon’s Pen of 2 Heifers 250-350 kg

You’ve got to be in it to win it, with lots of competitions at the DPIF stall

The Avon Downs cattle gave the Brahmans and composites some tough competition

DPIF Pastoral Production girls past and present L to R: Casey Collier, Jane Douglas, Cassie Cox and Helen

McMillan.

Phillip Creek took out 1st place with their Pen of Two Steers 250-350 kg.

The DPIF stand wouldn’t be the same without Miss Helen keeping things in order

Helen McMillan and Jane Douglas, both of DPIF Tennant Creek, pose for the camera at the Kidman Springs Field


mailto:[email protected]

Day.


Barkly House staff list

BARKLY HOUSEFirst Floor, 99 Paterson StPO Box 159, Tennant Creek, NT, 0861Fax: (08) 8962 4480

Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries

Regional Management

Executive Officer Helen Kempe 08 8962 4484Administration Officer Skye-Lea Ries 08 8962 4488

Animal Health

Regional Stock Inspector Thomas Haines 08 8962 4458M: 0401 113 445

Stock Inspector Greg Maguire 08 8962 4492M: 0457 517 347

Pastoral Production

Pastoral Production Officer Casey Collier 08 8962 4493Pastoral Production Officer Jane Douglas 08 8962 4483Pastoral Production Officer Helen McMillan 08 8962 4486

Barkly Landcare & Conservation Association

Landcare Facilitator Kate Christianson 08 8962 4494

If undeliverable, please return to:

Department of Primary Industry & Fisheries

PO Box 159TENNANT CREEK NT 0861

POSTAGE PAID AUSTRALIA

Tennant Creek show bigger and better than ... - dpir.nt.gov.au Web viewExhibitors included Brunette...

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Transcript of Tennant Creek show bigger and better than ... - dpir.nt.gov.au Web viewExhibitors included Brunette...