HIGH rainfall across southern Australia and parts of Queensland has increased disease and pest management risks for livestock producers.
And with more wet weather predicted, and some areas already flooded, producers are warned to plan ahead and consider disease and pest management options for livestock.
Livestock Biosecurity Network (LBN) national operations manager Sarah-Jane Wilson said severe wet weather could havenegative impacts on livestock production, which all have consequences for profitability, but also more importantly on animal health, welfare and biosecurity.
“Floods can result in water contamination, damage to crops and pastures, loss of livestock and increased susceptibility of livestock to disease,” Dr Wilson said.
“But pre-planning can result in a better outcome for the health and safety of livestock owners and their animals, allowing producers to prioritise the actions that need to be taken.
“For example, clean water, suitable fodder and a safe environment are priorities in the early stages after an emergency event, such as flooding.”
Dr Wilson said it was not uncommon to see a spike in diseases and parasites in livestock after high rainfall events and floods.
“These may not be apparent immediately, but may peak in the weeks after wet weather, buoyed by damp environmental conditions,” she said.
“Skin and hoof conditions caused by bacterial and fungal pathogens, in addition to clostridial diseases and leptospirosis are ones to look out for.”
In addition, Dr Wilson said increased insect activity could also occur in wet and muddy conditions, which could cause intense irritation and spread pathogens. Some examples of these include arboviruses spread by biting midges and fly strike.
Finding displaced stock and re-homing stray stock is also critical, and relies on having effective traceability systems in place.
“To maintain the integrity of life-long traceability, and in case of disease outbreaks in the aftermath of a natural disaster, it’s essential to be able to trace sheep and cattle," Dr Wilson said.
“Local biosecurity officers may be able to assist farmers to deal with displaced stock if there are livestock identification issues."
In the weeks after wet weather keep an eye out for poisonous plants, or pasture plants that can become poisonous in these conditions such as button grass, pigweed (portulaca) and mallow weed.
LBN staff can assist producers with forward planning to help identify and manage risks during a natural disaster. The organisation plays a key role in a national network of government and industry partners helping protect livestock industries from emergency animal disease and improve on-farm biosecurity.
