Grass the seed of the problem

As major processors implement penalty systems for seed contaminated carcases, Mr Duddy warned producers spring was shaping up to be similar to 2011 – one of the worst grass seed times for the industry in a decade.

Good seasons in Victoria, South Australia and southern NSW will make these regions a hotspot for carcase contamination due to extreme moisture and early germination in South East Australia.

"If El Niño does happen, and it is looking like it will, producers will have to try to implement strategies early, prior to grass seed maturation and be on the ball with their chemical and grazing management to reduce the grass seed burden," Mr Duddy said.

"Preventative measures need to be considered now."

Meat & Livestock Australia's (MLA) National Grass Seed Action Plan (NGSAP), which started in 2013, aims to increase producers' understanding of grass seed issues, while developing on-farm strategies at workshops later this year.

Mr Duddy said several 'Train the Trainer' workshops were currently underway which will skill people to assist producers to develop their own on-farm grass seed action plans.

NGSAP is targeting a reduction in grass seed infestation incidence to less than five per cent of lamb lots at participating processors by 2015.

Implementation of seed penalties have escalated since 2011 when processors were impacted by inefficiencies caused by major contamination in carcases.

MLA research has shown grass seed contamination is a major issue with at times up to 60pc of carcases required trimming, costing $10-$30 per carcase.

"In 2011, it was a pretty good season feed-wise coming out of drought so the couple of good springs kicked off the seed problems," Mr Duddy said.

"Processors have quoted losses of $10-$30/carcase during this bad period. It is a lot and spring is looking tough too."

While all sheep breeds experience grass seed issues, Merinos and young stock have been reported as more susceptible to carcase contamination.

"We think the reason being is the older stock have learnt from experience and might avoid bad grass seed areas and their skins tend to strengthen as they age so the penetration of seeds may be less," Mr Duddy said.

The high risk areas of seed contamination, in order of prevalence, are belly/flank, hindquarters and loin area.

He said the impact of seed problems on businesses could be extreme and were directly linked to loss of production.

"Our main concerns surround animal welfare and health which results in reduced growth rates because of infection," Mr Duddy said.

"From the processing aspect, it can be a big cost to the industry because when they get a grass seed affected lamb it slows down the whole processing chain. And that increases the cost of processing.

"Producers are penalised with reduced weight because carcases are trimmed of seeds and reduced value that can see high value chilled meat reduced to a cheaper frozen product."

To manage seed issues, he recommended shearing in conjunction with livestock and pasture management.

"We are not expecting producers to clean up every grass seed on the property but forward plan and clean up to provide a low-risk grass seed pasture for the lambs," Mr Duddy said.

"That means six months prior, identify the weaning paddock and ensure the grass seed is under control with either the use of chemicals to reduce grass seed burden or use of spray graze strategies."

The NGSAP has developed a national standardised feedback report to address industry concerns relating to inconsistent feedback on grass seed contamination.

"This is positive because when a there is a problem that has been identified, producers can proactively work with processors and industry consultants to start working on it," Mr Duddy said.