Effective feed management

Correcting protein and energy should be first and foremost, then trace element and mineral levels addressed, according to livestock advisors and veterinarians.

On the NSW North Coast, November, December and January for the most part did not produce the goods and as a result there has been widespread lack of feed.

The growth rate of native subtropical pastures such as kikuyu, Rhodes grass and seteria has been poor and has left operations low on both quantity and quality.

Local Land Services (LLS) district veterinarian servicing Lismore, Casino and Grafton Dr Phil Kemsley said many farmers have needed to pour protein into stock, with cottonseed meal being the main option utilised.

Soybean meal and sunflower meal were used as well and urea and various commercial liquid supplements could also be used as nitrogen sources.

On the energy front, molasses was probably the cheapest supplement but could be labour intensive to feed out.

Hay and silage, commonly used as energy sources, had become difficult and expensive to source across northern NSW and southern Queensland.

Grain feeding was a way to provide both protein and energy, but Dr Kemsley said it depended very much on commodity prices and cattle returns and that curve was currently not favouring the option.

Lick blocks rarely provided sufficient protein and energy unless fed at high levels, which made them expensive, but they were a good means of delivering non-protein nitrogen and trace elements like copper.

The LLS’ Beef Cattle Health for the North Coast and Mid North Coast Version Four outlined what supplements to feed and when.

It advised strong consideration be given to the resources available, in terms of both time and money, and similarly the aim of the program should be considered before putting in place supplementary feeding.

It also pointed out it was important to predict when feed shortages were likely to occur because supplementation was more cost effective when commenced before deficits arose.

Supplementation should occur before an animal started losing body condition.

Dr Kemsley said many beef producers across the NSW North Coast held onto 2013 weaners on account of the poor market and found they then couldn’t finish them come October due to the poor season.

“They are now carrying yearlings and have the new crop of weaners coming through.

“So it is timely to reiterate the message that if you expect your cows to get back in calf again you can not let them slip in condition,” he said.

LLS district veterinarian at Kempsey Dr Ian Poe said producers should do their homework when buying in feed to ensure they were getting value for money.

Feed analysis was the only way to ensure the most cost effective option, he said.

LLS district veterinarian at Bega Dr Helen Schaefer said producers should always be one step ahead when it came to planning regardless of how the season was playing out.

That meant knowing your rate of pasture growth, she said.

The September break did come for most NSW South Coast regions but with soil temperatures much lower than typical, feed growth was slower to eventuate.

“Coming off a good season last year had eased the pressure but producers still very much need to be thinking about their options ahead,” Dr Schaefer said.

“Whether it be cutting down stocking rates, alternating rotations or budgeting for supplements, there has to be a plan.”

All three veterinarians said it was a common mistake to try and correct nutrition problems by concentrating on a mineral only, such as copper or selenium, both of which the bulk of NSW’s coastal soils are deficient in, without checking that protein and energy levels are right.

“A lot of money can be wasted doing a bit here and there without addressing the big issue,” Dr Schaefer said.

According to the LLS Beef Cattle Health publication, copper availability in the soil is affected by molybdenum and sulphur levels and the use of Mo Super to establish legumes has induced deficiencies in some areas.

The impact of copper deficiency on productivity was extremely variable, Dr Schaefer said.

Poor growth and reproductive issues, with cows showing irregular or no heats and bulls having low quality sperm, were the main issues.

Dr Kemsley said lick blocks, oral pellets and injectable copper were the common methods of copper supplementation.

Selenium and Vitamin E were important in detoxification and resistance to disease and the options for beef producers looking to supplement here included injections, pour-ons, oral bullets, licks and selenium fertiliser.

Other trace elements and mineral deficiencies producers should be looking out for included phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and cobalt.

Dr Kemsley said they tended to interact with each other and the level of one affected the level of others so it was difficult to consider deficiencies singly.