DEPARTMENT OF PRIMARY INDUSTRY AND FISHERIES

Barkly BeefDECEMBER 2012, TENNANT CREEK

ISSN: 1325-9539

Validation and demonstration of a diagnostic tool for phosphorus status of beef cattle in northern AustraliaCasey Collier, Pastoral Technical Officer, Tennant Creek

Background Large areas of grazing land in northern Australia have Phosphorus (P) deficient soils, and hence forages, resulting in low P intake by cattle. A phosphorus deficiency in breeding and growing cattle can have adverse effects on both reproduction and growth respectively. In P deficient areas, supplementation of growing cattle in the wet season has been recommended, as P is the first limiting nutrient at this time and a response to P will occur. Despite the potential benefits of P supplementation in deficient country, P supplement sales across northern Australia are lower than might be expected. Meat and Livestock Australia identified several possible reasons for the low adoption of phosphorus supplementation in northern Australia including the lack of a reliable diagnostic test to determine the P status of cattle and issues associated with distribution and intake of P supplements in the wet season. DPIF and The University of Queensland are collaborating in a project to develop a diagnostic test for P deficiency and study the response to P supplementation at different times of year. This project consists of two experiments which will,

1. validate the ratio of faecal P to dietary N and faecal P to digestibility as two possible diagnostic tools to determine P status of animals,

2. demonstrate the response of growing animals to dietary P, and 3. investigate whether producers can supplement breeders in the dry season in order to build up P in the skeleton, which can then be mobilised when lactating in the wet season, with the effects on reproductive performance monitored. If there is potential for a move from wet to dry season supplementation, this may facilitate greater uptake of P supplementation in areas of P deficiency.

Experiment 1: Liveweight gain and faecal P of growing animals in response to increasing dietary P content A pen experiment was conducted at The University of Queensland. Thirty steers (225 kg liveweight) were maintained in individual pens and fed one of five diets (11% crude protein and 60% digestibility) with increasing P content (P-1, 0.09% P; P-2 0.13% P; P-3 0.17% P; P-4 0.21% P; P-5 0.24% P) over 7 months (Phase 1). Liveweight, hip height, feed intake faecal P: dietary N, plasma P, plasma osteocalcin and change in bone P, density and thickness measured throughout. At the end of Phase 1, all animals were fed the P-5 diet for 3 months (Phase 2), with the same parameters measured. Steers fed the low P diet had lower feed intake and liveweight gain than steers fed the high P diet during Phase 1 but had greater liveweight gain when fed the same high P diet during Phase 2 (Figure 1).

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Experiment 2: Wet and Dry season feeding of cows and growing steers with P under commercial conditions A field experiment is in progress at Brunchilly Station. The main objectives of the field experiment are to validate the diagnostic P test under field conditions, determine the response of breeders to different P supplementation strategies on an extensive northern property, to investigate the carryover effects of dry season P supplementation on breeder P reserves and subsequent fertility, and determine if dry season P supplementation is a potential strategy to provide P supplements to breeders in P deficient country.580 breeding cows (calving Oct – April) and 80 growing steers are grazing a 67km2 paddock with two watering points, each equipped with an autodrafter and walk over weighing system. Animals are being drafted one of two ways, either to +P or -P supplement in the wet and dry season. At the end of the wet season half of each treatment group (+ or – P) was swapped resulting in four treatment groups; 1. +P in the wet / +P in the dry 2. +P in the wet / -P in the dry 3. -P in the wet / +P in the dry 4. -P in the wet / -P in the dry

All animals have ad libitum access to a loose lick supplement, with the only difference between the +P and -P supplements been the inclusion of a P source (Table 1). Animals are individually identified with unique management and NLIS tags; the NLIS tag is scanned and recorded as the animal walks though the autodrafter and over the walk-over-weighing facility, providing liveweight and accuracy of draft information. The use of the autodrafter allows the different treatment groups to be grazed in a single paddock, eliminating variation associated with paddock effects. Data collected throughout the duration of the trial includes supplement intake (averaged over the treatment group), liveweight (taken as each animal enters the water yard via the walk-over weighing system and at musters), body condition score and pregnancy testing and foetal aging of all breeders (conducted in August each year). In addition blood, bone and faecal samples are collected from a sub group within each treatment. Animals require some training to use auto-drafters and the animals were adapted to the autodrafters during the 2011 dry season with experimental supplementation commencing at the start of the 2011/12 wet season. The trial is due for completion in mid-2013.

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Table 1. Ingredients (%) of wet and dry season supplements to be used in the field experiment.

Ingredient Dry season Wet season+P -P +P -P

Cottonseed meal 10 10 0 0Limestone 10 10 0 0Biofos 30 0 50 0Urea 25 25 0 0Salt 14.5 44.5 44.5 94.5Gran-am 10 10 0 0Premix 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5EC feed 0 0 5 5

The Phosphorus project is funded by Meat and Livestock Australia and is been conducted by the Northern Territory Department of Primary Industries & Fisheries in collaboration with The University of Queensland and Precision Pastoral, with sponsorship by Ridley Agri-Products, The Mosaic Company and Allflex. Further information relating to phosphorus can be found in the new manual released by MLA, see page 13 for more details.

A walk down memory lane for former Chief Veterinary Officer – Brian RadunzSue Fitzpatrick, Biosecurity

Following 35 years of dedicated service to the Northern Territory, including 13 years in the role of the Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) and Chief Inspector of Stock, Brian Radunz has handed over the reins to Dr Malcolm Anderson and now is easing into part-time employment. (See page 16 for more information about Dr Anderson)

Brian started his career with the Northern Territory Government as a 3rd year veterinary cadet in 1969. He then moved into fulltime employment as a Veterinary Officer in January 1972 initially in Darwin and then onto Katherine. His management skills and leadership ability were soon recognised with a promotion to the position of Regional Veterinary Officer at Katherine in 1974 and then as the Regional Co-ordinator in 1980.

During the 1980s, Brian headed to the southern states for 6 years to work as a Senior Veterinary Officer in SA, Canberra and NSW, but was drawn back to the wide open spaces of the Territory in 1989 as the District Veterinary Officer in Alice Springs. He then spent 2 years in Tennant Creek as the Regional Veterinary Officer and Regional Coordinator.

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In 1989, Brian moved to Darwin to take on the role of Deputy Director Animal Health Division. Brian remained in Darwin as Principal Veterinary Officer to manage Brucellosis and Tuberculosis Eradication Campaign (BTEC) and the Livestock Market Health Assurance from 1997-1999 before becoming CVO in 1999.Brian was instrumental in one of Australia’s most notable animal health achievements - the success of the BTEC. The campaign resulted in huge changes to the Territory cattle industry, particularly in areas of livestock management and infrastructure. His personal contribution to the campaign is recognised in the book ‘Beating the Odds in a big country’.Brian has also made a significant impact nationally and is highly regarded by his interstate counterparts. This is shown by his peers selecting him on two occasions to chair the national Animal Health Committee (AHC). Brian has done an excellent job of representing the Territory at national focus and has played a key role both within the Territory and nationally in achieving consensus on some difficult and contentious subjects. An example of this is his successful chairing of the national Bovine Johne’s Disease (BJD) Committee.During his time in the Territory Brian said he has seen enormous change. In his early years, feral buffalo, bull catchers and pet meaters were widespread, with Territory shorthorn cattle still widely bred, a number of abattoirs operating and live exports only just a trickle.

Brian will continue to work for the Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries part-time to complete three key projects. These include the development of the national cattle welfare standards and guidelines, a review of the Australian Standards for Live Export (ASEL) and amendments to the NT Veterinarians Act. Brian plans to retire in September 2013.

We would like to thank Brian for his very significant contribution to animal health policy and operational management and advances in the livestock industries both nationally and locally over the past four decades. His dedication and achievements were recognised in 2008 when his colleagues nominated him for the Department’s Stars Award and in 2011 when he was awarded the Chief Ministers Public Service Medal for his services to the Territory’s pastoral industries – a well-deserved and fitting recognition.

Retirement of Ted MartinJane Douglas & Helen Kempe, DPI&F, Tennant Creek

Ted Martin joined the Department in April 1984, following a varied selection of jobs from North Queensland, the Kimberly’s and the Northern Territory. These jobs included yard building, contract bull catching and station overseer.His days as a Stock Inspector started in Alice Springs at the beginning of the BTEC programme (Brucelosis & Tuberculosis Eradication Campaign). In 1985 he transferred to Cape Crawford, where he was based at Heartbreak for 8 years.

After moving to Avon Downs in 1992, Ted gained his fixed wing pilots licence, and was credited as Australia’s first (and probably only) “Flying Stocky” in 1993.

He then moved on to Elliott in 1996, before transferring to Tennant Creek in 1999 as the Regional Stock Inspector, and later Acting Regional Director.

Ted travelled to Carlisle, in the UK, to assist with the eradication of the Foot & Mouth outbreak in 2001. He also made a couple of trips to Queensland in 2007 to help with the Equine Influenza outbreak.

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In October 2012, after 28 years, Ted’s service with the Government came to an end. While with the Department, Ted contributed significantly to the BTEC and exotic disease awareness programs.

“Working as a Stock Inspector has been one of the most interesting, diverse and enjoyable times in my life. I have worked with some of the country’s best; both privately and professionally, have had some great times and made some bloody good friends.” Ted MartinWe wish Ted and Dianne all the best for their life in south east Queensland.More information about Ted can be found in “The Privileged Few” by J. Hill.

Helen, Skye, Tom, Greg, Case, Jane, Naomi, Thomas, Jon & Drew wish everyone a wonderful Christmas and holiday season. May the New Year bring with it luck, cheer and lots of it! We look forward to catching up with you in 2013!

Get social with FutureBeef!Heidi Wright, FutureBeef Operations Officer, Katherine Research Station

The FutureBeef Program for Northern Australia is a five-year collaborative extension program aimed at bringing the latest research technologies and best management practice knowledge, skills and training to northern pastoralists. The uptake of these practices on-property will help businesses respond faster to expansion opportunities.

A focus of the FutureBeef program is recognising the different ways adults learn and packaging latest information in a way that is aligned with these needs and is accessible and relevant. Recently, FutureBeef adopted social media to reflect the growing interest in online networking to exchange views, resources and knowledge about the Australian beef industry.

The FutureBeef 2013 Social Media Strategy aims to 1) educate pastoralists and stakeholders about the tools, resources and training available through FutureBeef and 2) build support for the program and raise awareness of program benefits.

FutureBeef has 447 ‘followers’ on Twitter and has sent over 150 updates some of which link to articles, resources and reading material around the program’s key themes:

Reproduction Grazing land management Nutrition and growth Animal welfare Human capacity and enabling change.

Twitter updates aim to increase knowledge and understanding of these key areas as well as attract pastoralists, commercial businesses, stakeholders and the general community to the FutureBeef website, a one-stop shop for northern beef RD&E latest resources. FutureBeef is also extending messages via Facebook and YouTube inviting the general community to learn about the values, goals and innovations of the northern Australia beef industry. Soon, the Facebook page will be running contests, to inspire learning and enhance engagement. If you haven’t ‘liked’ FutureBeef on Facebook, please do! We’re a few likes away from 200! The more people who ‘like’ the page, the more opportunity there is to spread the positive message across industry and community networks. FutureBeef also values your feedback, so if you have any suggestions on the approach, look or feel or material, please send them to heidi.wright@nt.gov.au

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Is there a business case for NT beef producers to “farm carbon”?Dionne Walsh, Rangeland Program Coordinator

Summary The carbon tax is a reality. Agriculture is currently exempt from paying the carbon tax but some inputs will cost more

due to other sectors passing on their increased costs. The Australian Government wants to reward primary producers for increasing carbon

storage and reducing methane emissions from livestock (“carbon farming”). Many of the practices that are potential “carbon farming” options happen to improve

livestock productivity, business efficiency and profitability (e.g. improving breeder performance, improving live weight gain, reducing turn-off age, improving land condition and taking “rubbish country” out of production).

The NT and Qld primary industry departments have a new project (Climate Clever Beef 2) to investigate whether there is a business case for cattle producers to farm carbon as part of their beef enterprises.

BackgroundThere is no shortage of confusion and controversy about climate change and carbon farming and what it means for the pastoral industry. The reality is, a carbon tax is now in place and the Australian Government has introduced a program to reward land managers for increasing carbon storage and reducing methane emissions (the Carbon Farming Initiative).

But! Industry has some legitimate questions… Are there really any viable carbon farming options that can be integrated into a northern

cattle enterprise? Are they practical and will they pay?

To answer these questions, DPIF has started a new three year project to “acid test” carbon farming options for the northern beef industry.

Why are we doing this project? To continue helping northern beef businesses turn off more kilos of beef and become

more efficient. To assess whether “carbon farming” is a viable opportunity to generate additional cash

flow in northern beef businesses. To realistically measure how much carbon can be sequestered and how much methane

can be reduced in northern beef businesses. To be an independent source of advice to industry on ways to improve business

performance as well as the pros and cons of “carbon farming”.

How will we do this project? DPIF have developed a business analysis process which identifies opportunities to

improve the productivity and efficiency of individual pastoral businesses. This process will be rolled out with three partner producers – one each in the Barkly,

VRD and Douglas Daly. On-property trials will also be conducted to demonstrate practical ways to improve

animal and pasture performance to improve productivity and reduce livestock emissions. Soil carbon will be measured to better understand how different management practices

influence sequestration rates.

More informationContact Dionne Walsh on (08) 8999 2178, dionne.walsh@nt.gov.au or David Ffoulkes (08) 8999 2204, david.ffoulkes@nt.gov.au.Read up about the Climate Clever Beef project on the Future Beef website:

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http://futurebeef.com.au/resources/projects/climate-clever-beef/

Meat & Livestock Australia have produced a good information sheet about carbon farming:http://www.mla.com.au/Publications-tools-and-events/Publication-details?pubid=5993

The Climate Clever Beef project is funded by the NT Department of Primary Industry & Fisheries, Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Carbon Farming Futures - Action on the Ground program.

Alternative marketing options focus of Hayfield Station Field DayJodie Ward, Technical Officer, Katherine Research Station

Marketing options for beef producers in the Northern Territory was the focus of the first half of the Hayfield Station Field Day held on Tuesday the 16th October. The theme of the field day certainly drew some interest, with 26 producers from 11 properties joining the 40 strong crowd for the day. The first speaker, Dr Steve Petty, Director of Northern Development Company, provided his thoughts on the principles of profitable marketing in the current climate. As most of the cost of a steer is the cost of producing a weaner, Steve told producers that to maximise their returns, they should lift their average sale weight to be as near as possible to the 350 kg maximum accepted by the Indonesian live export market. Currently the average sale weight of feeder steers out of Darwin is 280kg. Some strategies Steve suggested included agistment on properties with wet season access, differential supplementation strategies, and careful drafting and weighing to optimise the timing of sales. Steve stated that most properties would need to aim for a minimum sale price of $600 for a feeder steer in order to make a reasonable profit on that animal. Interestingly, Troy Setter and Val Dyer who spoke later also agreed with this rule of thumb. Steve then continued on to highlight that exporting to Indonesia is not the northern beef industry’s only market option, suggesting that producers should consider exporting to other countries such as Egypt or Philippines and evaluate backgrounding and feedlotting options in Queensland. In the latter case Steve suggested that businesses consider retaining ownership of animals until point of slaughter in order to maximise returns. This option was explored further by the next speaker, Ben Maher.Ben Maher, Private Client Manager of Mort & Co, a feedlotting company in south-east Queensland, also spoke to the participants on the day.  Ben described the company’s ability to provide another marketing option to northern producers whereby producers retain ownership of the cattle. Mort & Co provide custom feeding in a feedlot system and then market the grown cattle into appropriate forward contracts on the producer’s behalf.  While Ben explained this alternative marketing option, he stated that it is important that producers do their own sums and take into consideration transportation costs and the genetic potential of their cattle. For producers whose turnoff suits the Mort & Co model, increased turnover and additional margins can be achieved as well as a different outlet for their cattle.

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Troy Setter, Chief Operating Officer of AACo, provided a very positive and open presentation about the marketing options AACo have explored over the last 12 months.  He explained that while the company requires regular planned income from sales, they are also need to be flexible and adaptable to market changes and currency fluctuations.  Troy then went through the extensive enterprises and businesses which make up AACo including using a number of different breeds in their systems, live export, feedlotting and branded boxed beef, explaining it is all about managing risk, managing margins and making sure all of AACo’s eggs are not in one basket.  One of the largest drivers to improved productivity and profitability in the AACo business is the development of the AACo composite cattle. Troy was very positive about the future of the northern beef industry, citing the projected population increase in south-east Asia and the industry’s position to continue to supply these markets.  Troy, Steve and Val all acknowledged that the next few years are likely to be tough for northern producers heavily exposed to Indonesian Live Export.

Val Dyer of Hayfield Station provided an insight into the workings of their business. Hayfield carries between 15,000 – 20,000 head on 2,750 square km and have a further 2000 square km of undeveloped country.  The Dyers have grown the business sustainably and conservatively through mostly self-funded development since purchase in 1974. Their current major goal is planning for succession.  They run a high grade Brahman herd and believe that supplying a consistent line of high quality cattle and ensuring good delivery outcomes are essential. Their current target markets are Egypt and domestic breeder sales. While Hayfield also supplies the Indonesian feeder steer and heifer market, they retain some steers under 320kg for an additional season to suit the heavier markets such as Egypt, Philippines and Brunei. 

Other selling strategies employed at Hayfield include breeder heifers sold locally and to south-east Asia, PTIC cows, PTE cows, cow and calf sales, and oxen and bulls to southern processors.Overall, the feedback from the Hayfield Station Field Day was very positive with many of the participants requesting more information about these subjects, which can be found by contacting

Trisha Cowley 8973 9770, trisha.cowley@nt.gov.au

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Rubber Bush Update: Assessment of the invasiveness of Rubber BushE.O. Menge, PhD candidate RIEL (CDU).

Rubber Bush (Calotropis procera) is a milkweed that produces numerous seeds and has now become ubiquitous on many properties across the Barkly Region. After it was identified as a problem during a workshop on the Barkly, a research project was devised to investigate various aspects of its biology and control. The investigation of control methods is being undertaken by DAFF Queensland while the assessment of its invasiveness covering reproductive and seed biology, dispersal processes, competitive ability and effects of grazing and population ecology shall be covered under a PhD research project.

As part of the PhD, monitoring of the seasonal trends in flowering and fruiting has been done during 2012 and shall be continued into the next two years at three sites within the Barkly Region, three sites in Queensland and one site in the Victoria River District. In the competition experiment, germination performance at various simulated disturbance levels is in progress and updates shall be supplied in the coming year.Because Rubber Bush is wind dispersed, it occurs in all sorts of strange locations and property owners may be scratching their heads as to how it got there in the first place. The PhD Research project is supervised by Professor Lawes, Dr Bellairs and Dr McConchie through the Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods of Charles Darwin University in collaboration with MLA, DAFF Queensland, Weeds Branch (NT) and DPI&F (NT). It was established in early 2012 and field work is progressing well.

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National Livestock Identification System (NLIS)Livestock Regulation amendments - Effective 1 January 2013The National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) is a National system developed for the identification and tracing of livestock. It is a permanent whole-of-life identification system that enables individual animals to be tracked from property of birth to slaughter for food safety, product integrity and market access purposes. The NILS is the main information system used throughout Australia to trace cattle in the event of an Emergency Disease incident.

NLIS was developed and implemented nationally in 2003 with the NT becoming fully compliant with the NLIS from 1 July 2007. Upon commencement all cattle moving to another property, export yard, saleyard or interstate required an approved NLIS radio frequency identification device (RFID) attached to the right ear prior to leaving the property. The exemption to this requirement was cattle leaving their property of birth going direct to live export through an approved export yard did not require an RFID to be attached or cattle moving direct from the property of birth to an NT abattoir only required an approved transaction tag attached. In June 2011 the Federal Government suspended all live exports of cattle to Indonesia on animal welfare grounds. On resumption of the live export trade one of the conditions for the trade to resume was that all cattle being exported live to Indonesia are required to be traceable to the point of slaughter in Indonesia. Therefore an RFID must be attached to the animal prior to movement and recorded on the NLIS database. This decision has resulted in changes to the Livestock Regulations for the identification of cattle moving in the NT. As of the 1 January 2013 ALL cattle regardless of destination will require an RFID attached to the right ear prior to movement off a property. An addition to the Livestock Regulations is that as of 1 January 2013 the Registrar can approve movement of cattle, buffalo, sheep or goats without an NLIS device or tag attached. This Regulation has been implemented to allow for movement of livestock in special circumstances without NLIS identification. Example of when this can be applied would be;

1. Natural Disaster: Natural disaster events such as cyclone, flood, fire. a. After a natural disaster which has resulted in livestock unintentionally having

moved from their original property and are required to be moved back home b. or are required to be moved to another property to avoid stock losses

2. Return of stray stock from a neighbour’s property.

Please contact your Regional Biosecurity office if you would like to discuss these changes in more detail or for further information. Contact details for Regional offices are outlined in the information provided. For application to the Registrar to move livestock without an NLIS device or tag attached please contact the Registrar.

DARWIN - Ian Doddrell

Regional Livestock Biosecurity OfficerP: 08 8999 2030 M: 0439 270 039

TENNANT CREEK - Tom Haines

Regional Livestock Biosecurity Officer P: 08 8962 4458 M: 0401 113 445

KATHERINE - Greg ScottRegional Livestock Biosecurity Officer

P: 08 8973 9754 M: 0418 895 084

ALICE SPRINGS - Greg CrawfordRegional Livestock Biosecurity Officer

P: 08 8951 8125 M: 0401 118 125

Sharon Kearney P: 08 8999 2031

Registrar M: 0401 112 031E:sharon.kearney@nt.gov.au

Website: www.nt.gov.au/d/animalhealth

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NT Cattle Movement RequirementsFor the movement of cattle in the NT there are certain requirements that need to be completed. These requirements are used for the identification and tracing of livestock. These systems provide whole-of-life identification that enables individual animals to be tracked from property of birth to slaughter for food safety, product integrity and market access purposes. Failure to meet these requirements is an offence under the

Livestock Act or Regulations and penalties may occur.

NT Waybills1. A completed Waybill (white copy) must be given to the person in charge of the livestock

before the journey begins.2. If there are livestock in the consignment that you are not the owner of, a second Waybill

must be issued for those cattle.3. The pink copy of the completed Waybill must be sent to the Department within 28 days.

Importing livestock1. All imported livestock must be issued with a NT Health Certificate before entering the

NT.

National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) - The NLIS device is not proof of ownership

1. Approved NLIS devices are registered to that property only and must be purchased by the property owner or have owner’s permission to purchase.

2. Approved NLIS devices must only be applied to livestock on the property that the devices are registered to.

3. All livestock leaving the property must be identified with the appropriate NLIS device registered to the property.

a. Breeder devices (white) must be applied to livestock born on the property.b. Post Breeder devices (orange) must be applied to livestock which were not born

on the property and do not have a NLIS device already attached.4. It is the responsibility of the receiver to complete the NLIS transfer onto their PIC and

that the transfer is completed on the NLIS database within 48 hours.5. If a NLIS device is attached to livestock another NLIS device must not be applied.6. A person must not tamper with a NLIS device.7. A person must not remove a NLIS device from any livestock unless authorised by an

Inspector.

Branding1. Determines proof of livestock ownership.2. A Brand is registered for use on the property that is identified on the brand certificate

only.3. All livestock 8 months and older must be branded with a legible brand before departing

the property.4. When you brand livestock it is optional to apply a registered earmark.5. The earmark is for quick identification to a producer only and not proof of ownership.6. If an animal has an earmark then there must be a brand on the livestock.7. Livestock can only have one earmark applied.8. Cross branding of purchased livestock is optional and it is owner’s decision.9. Cattle ownership disputes or theft are a police matter.

Livestock Producer Assurance (LPA)1. The National Vendor Declaration/Waybill (NVD) is an industry market requirement.2. NVD books are purchased through the LPA and not from the Department.

LPA Contacts: LPA Hotline Ph: 1800 683 111 | Email: lpa@mla.com.au

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Animal Health Website NT Property Identification Code NLIS Websitewww.nt.gov.au/d/animalhealth http://pic.primaryindustry.nt.gov.au www.nt.gov.au/d/nlis

Changes to the DepartmentNeil Macdonald, Regional Director

The last few months has brought some major changes to the Department. Our name has changed to the Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries, with Mines and Energy split off into a stand-alone department. Our Minister, Willem Westra van Holthe, who is also member for Katherine, has signalled his intention to visit all parts of the industry as soon as he can. Alister Trier is our Chief Executive. Alister is of course well-known to most people in the Pastoral Industry from his time as Director of Pastoral Production, his previous work with the Indigenous Pastoral Program and his earlier career as a station manager and live export agent. Rod Gobbey Executive Director of Primary Industries announced his decision to retire early this year and left for his home in Tasmania in late September.

The Department got a boost from the recent mini-budget with our base funding emerging almost unscathed, and with a number of other initiatives given additional funding.

In this final edition of Barkly Beef for 2012, I would like to add my best wishes for a safe and happy Christmas to all readers on the Barkly. This has been a difficult year for most people in the NT pastoral industry. We all hope that 2013 will be better, but reality tells us that margins are likely to stay tight for some time. Recent studies on the state of the northern beef industry make sobering reading. Our Department staff are certainly aware that all our research and advice has to be realistic and focussed on helping the industry become more profitable as well as productive. Hopefully all NT producers can get through this hard period and look forward to a time when the cycle turns again in the industry’s favour.

HAVE A LAUGH! Send your jokes to barklybeef.dor@nt.gov.au

A Police STOP at 2 AM An elderly man is stopped by the police around 2 a.m. and is asked where he is going at this time of night. The man replies, "I am on my way to a lecture about alcohol abuse and the effects it has on the human body, as well as smoking and staying out late."

The officer then asks, "Really? Who is giving that lecture at this time of night?" The man replies, "That would be my wife."

What, When & Where

DECEMBER

ASHS-NT Awards Dinner 8 December Coffee Club, Katherine

Christmas Day 25 December

Boxing Day 26 December

JANUARY

New Year’s Day 1 January

Australia Day 26 January

Australia Day Holiday 28 January

MARCH

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DECEMBER

NTCA AGM & Industry Conference 21-22 March Alice Springs

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New Phosphorus Manual PublishedNeil Macdonald, Regional Director

DPIF has joined with Queensland and WA researchers and extension officers to compile a new manual for Phosphorus Management of Beef Cattle in Northern Australia. This summarises current established knowledge and best practice, so it doesn’t include the future developments that we hope will come out of the Brunchilly trial, discussed in the first few pages of this edition of Barkly Beef.

The significance of this publication is that researchers across North Australia are now agreed on the main points about Phosphorus deficiency and supplementation. There have often been differing opinions amongst scientists in the past because the complex movement of Phosphorus within the body makes it is a difficult mineral to investigate.

Copies of this 40 page MLA-funded publication are available free of charge from the DPIF office in Tennant Creek or on line from the MLA website.http://www.mla.com.au/Publications-tools-and-events/Publication-details?pubid=6024

Two other recent MLA publications may also be of interest. Weaner Management of Northern Beef Herds has been written by a team from Qld, WA and the NT, and Heifer Management of Northern Beef Herds was written by Tim Schatz from DPIF.

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Around the TrapsPhotos by Helen Kempe

Have you taken a good photo? Send it into barklybeef.dor@nt.gov.au

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Animal Health News - In the Northern Territory

New Territory Chief Veterinary OfficerA new Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO), Dr Malcolm Anderson started work in the Northern Territory on 26th November 2012.

Dr Anderson will have big shoes to fill as he takes over the reins from his highly respected predecessor Dr Brian Radunz and a series of other well-known NT CVO’s including Colonel Lionel Rose after whom part of the Darwin Berrimah Veterinary Laboratory is named.Malcolm has been working with Biosecurity South Australia since 2007 as the Manager of their Disease Surveillance program and is well known by the SA livestock industry. Whilst working in that role he has also been the SA Planning Manager in their team for responses to outbreaks of exotic animal diseases and in 2011 was a member of a team working in Cambodia and Laos on an Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) project on Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD). He has also been involved with a project on Rabies in Bali.Originally a graduate of Murdoch University, WA, Malcolm has previously worked in a variety of government or private roles in SA and Western Australia including as an export consultant veterinarian with shipments of live animals to the Middle East, Malaysia and Pakistan. Along the way, Malcolm has studied Bahasa Indonesia and has a Masters in Veterinary Public Health from Sydney University.

Malcolm says he is greatly looking forward to working with the NT team and will be based at the Berrimah Research Farm in Darwin.

Introduction of the Land Transport Standards in the TerritoryThe Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines - Land Transport of Livestock, known as the Land Transport Standards (LTS) is a set of nationally agreed standards and guidelines developed to ensure appropriate livestock welfare during the transport process. The LTS are based on the revision of the Model Codes of Practice for Welfare for the transport of various livestock species and were developed by the livestock industries and government in consultation with stakeholders.

The LTS cover the transport of livestock by road. A separate set of standards, the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock (ASEL), cover the requirements for export of livestock by ship. The ASEL are currently being reviewed.

Responsibilities during transportThe LTS apply to all people responsible for the management of livestock at all stages in the livestock transport process. The consignor is responsible for mustering and assembling of livestock in yards, preparation of livestock and selection as fit for the intended journey, supply of feed and water prior to transport and holding periods before loading.

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The transporter is responsible for final inspection as fit for the intended journey, loading and loading density, inspections during transport, spelling periods during the journey and unloading. For a journey over 24 hours, the transporter must have records of the date and time that stock last had access to water, inspections, any welfare concerns, actions taken and emergency contact details. This information must be provided to the person in charge when the responsibility for stock is transferred during the journey.The receiver is responsible for the management of stock after unloading.

The LTS are divided into two sections. Part A outlines general standards and guidelines that apply to all livestock species and Part B provides specific standards and guidelines for each livestock species.

Standards are the MUST DO requirements for livestock welfare and are the minimum standards for livestock management practices. Guidelines are recommended practices to achieve desirable welfare outcomes - the SHOULD DO and complement the standards. How will LTS be enforced?In the Northern Territory, the LTS has been adopted under the Livestock Regulations. Compliance and enforcement activity will be undertaken by Department of Primary Industry and Fisheries Veterinary Officers and Livestock Biosecurity Officers from 1 January 2013. In other States, LTS will be regulated by government agencies responsible for animal welfare legislation.

Information on LTS was posted to all properties in October and information sessions were held in Regions during early December.

Cattle Standards and GuidelinesThe cattle standards and guidelines are the next in the series of livestock standards to be developed and will likely be available for public consultation during January 2013. A copy of the cattle standards and guidelines will be available for public comment at Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines website during this time.

More informationDepartment of Primary Industry and Fisheries website

Land Transport Standards website

Meat and Livestock Australia’s website

Release of Hendra virus vaccine After several years research, a vaccine against Hendra virus – Equivac HeV has been released under a minor use permit to accredited veterinarians. It is expected that the vaccine will be available to accredited Northern Territory vets from December 2012. Under permit conditions, the accredited vet must microchip vaccinated horses and record details on a national vaccine register for horses. Two doses of vaccine are required 21 days apart for primary immunisation. Initial vaccine trials have shown complete protection when vaccinated horses have been challenged with Hendra virus. The vaccine will reduce the risk of Hendra virus exposure to horse owners, handlers and vets.

Hendra virus is a virus present in flying foxes (fruit bats) that on very rare occasions may spill over and cause disease in horses and people in contact with infected horses. It can be fatal. Four species of Australian flying foxes (grey-headed flying fox, black flying fox, little red flying fox and spectacled flying fox) carry the virus but do not show symptoms of disease. Only the little red flying fox and the black flying fox are found in Northern Territory. Hendra virus is believed to be spread between flying foxes through faeces, urine and saliva in colonies. Scientists believe infection in horses may occur through ingestion of grass or partially eaten fruit contaminated with bat urine, saliva or other body fluids, such as birthing fluids. Hendra virus has only been transmitted to people through very close contact with secretions or

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body fluids of infected horses. There is no evidence of spread between flying foxes and humans or human to human spread. Hendra virus has not been reported in horses or humans in the Territory; however it is important that all suspect cases are reported to your local vet for investigation. Hendra virus is a notifiable disease. The vaccine is only available from accredited vets. Please contact your local vet if you wish to have your horses vaccinated.Further information

Horse owners website

Vets website

Bayticol Pour-on – Discontinued supply by BayerBayer has recently discontinued the supply of Bayticol pour-on to the Australian market. This is due to concerns raised by SAFEMEAT about the potential risk of cattle treated with the product which have been rejected from live export, entering the domestic and export meat supply chain.

The registration of Bayticol pour-on for use as a general tickicide was cancelled in 2002. As a result, Bayticol pour-on was no longer used for routine tick control on property or for pre-treatment of cattle tick prior to inspection and supervised treatment in a plunge dip for movement of to tick free areas. The use of Bayticol pour-on for live export cattle was not affected at this time.The Australian Pesticide and Veterinary Medicine Authority (APVMA) began a review of the product in December 2001 following concerns that the use of the product according to label instructions would result in beef fat residues that exceeded the Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) which would pose a potential risk to Australia’s international trade. Flumethrin, the active ingredient of Bayticol pour-on is not registered in some overseas countries. The US has a zero tolerance to flumethrin residues. Detection of flumethrin residues in Australian meat would have a significant impact on access to these markets. In February 2002, Bayer voluntarily requested that the APVMA cancel the registration of Bayticol pour-on cattle tickicide and APVMA cancelled the registration on 31 March 2002.

NT resellers and producers with existing product may continue to sell existing stocks and use the product as directed on the label. The potential risk associated with rejected cattle from live export supply chain treated with Bayticol pour-on must be managed by cattle producers and exporters until the supply runs out, so that treated cattle do not enter the meat export supply chain.

The product label clearly outlines conditions for use. It is important to remember that until supplies run out, Bayticol pour-on may only be used as a live export clearing tickicide prior to IMMEDIATE live export.

Animal Biosecurity Disease Investigations A large proportion of laboratory submissions have been for disease surveillance and research activities as well as health certification for animals going to export markets. A few cases of downer animals were investigated with bovine ephemeral fever as the most likely cause. Several submissions to check for internal parasites were received. In one case 23 out of 750 weaner cattle died after showing signs of diarrhoea. Salmonella was cultured from half of the faecal samples submitted. In two separate incidents, goats were diagnosed with enterotoxaemia due to the sudden increase of supplementary feed prompted by very dry pastures.

Bronchopneumonia after transportation – Exotic Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia excludedA post mortem was carried out on a 6-year-old cow that died in the spelling yards following long distance road transport. Histopathology revealed the presence of severe bronchopneumonia

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combined with severe liver lesions. Two bacteria Pasteurella multocida and Trueperella pyogenes were isolated from the lung tissue. P. multocida is an important pathogen of the bovine respiratory system. The stress associated with road transportation is the most probable factor that precipitated the severe pneumonia. T. pyogenes is an opportunistic pathogen that is occasionally isolated along with other respiratory pathogens. Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia was excluded at the Australian Animal Health Laboratories (AAHL) in Geelong, Victoria from samples of lung tissue and pleural fluid.

Bovine Herpes Virus-2 (BHV-2) skin lesions – Exotic Lumpy Skin disease excluded Nodular skin lesions were reported in a 6-year-old Brahman cow. The nodules could be easily removed, leaving a hairless skin patch. There were also lesions on the legs and flanks.

Microscopy confirmed chronic dermatitis with secondary bacterial infection. This is consistent with bovine herpes virus-2 (BHV-2) infection, known as pseudo-lumpy skin disease. Capripox virus infection, causing true lumpy skin disease was excluded at AAHL.

This is the fourth report of the disease in the Katherine region this year. An Australia wide survey has shown that the virus appears to be more prevalent in the far north of the Northern Territory, with 93% of herds showing positive antibodies to BHV-2. The disease generally has a high infection rate which is usually self-limiting. Animals completely recover within a couple of months. It is spread from one animal to another by biting flies.

A reminder that the use of shotguns using lead shot as an aid to mustering is an unacceptable practice. Industry needs to aware of the risks to the meat export market as well as local meat trade associated with detections of lead pellet contamination in carcases at abattoirs. Firearm operators also need to understand the welfare issues associated with the inappropriate use of ammunition when mustering stock and suitable firearms for the effective destruction of stock.

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Barkly House- Staff ListBARKLY HOUSE

First Floor, 99 Paterson StPO Box 159, Tennant Creek, NT, 0861

Fax: (08) 8962 4480

Department of Primary Industry and FisheriesRegional ManagementExecutive Officer Helen Kempe 08 8962 4484

Administration Officer Skye-Lea Ries 08 8962 4488

Animal HealthRegional Stock Inspector Thomas Haines 08 8962 4458

M: 0401 113 445Stock Inspector Greg Maguire 08 8962 4492

M: 0457 517 347

Pastoral ProductionPastoral Production Technical Officer Casey Collier 08 8962 4493

Pastoral Production Technical Officer Jane Douglas 08 8962 4483

Barkly Landcare & Conservation Association

Landcare Facilitator Naomi Wilson 08 8962 4494

Project Officer Thomas Grounds 08 8962 4479Project Officer Jon Hodgetts 08 8962 4485

Sustainable Farm Practices NT

Caring for our Country Facilitator Drew Gracie 08 8962 4487

The Tennant Creek DPI&F office will be closed from Monday 24 December 2012 and will reopen on Wednesday 2 January 2013.

For emergencies during this period, please contact:

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BIOSECURITY: Thomas Haines (Stock Inspector) – 0401 113 445GENERAL ENQUIRIES: Helen Kempe – 0418 825 856

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