Northern WA livestock disease outlook for producers - April 2015

As mustering season begins, look out for...

Disease	Typical history and signs
Botulism in cattle	High numbers of sudden deaths – unexpected numbers dead or missing at muster Collapsing, muscular weakness and paralysis Stumbling and lack of coordination Unable to eat or drink Paralysis of muscles of face, jaw, and tongue Paralysis of tail Read more on botulism in cattle.
Toxic plants in stock	As mustering occurs and stock are moved into different paddocks, they may gain access to plants not normally seen or grazed. Some of these plants may contain toxins that affect livestock. Fluoroacetate poisoning (Gastrolobium spp.), pyrrolizidine alkaloidosis (Crotalaria sp.), cardiac glycosides (Calotrope) and diterpenoid alkaloids (ironwood tree) may be seen over the next few months.
Poor reproductive performance for heifers and cows	Conditions that may impact on cow and heifer conceptions include vibriosis, bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) or pestivirus and nutritional stress at time of mating, as well as potential bull issues. For more information, see the BVDV or pestivirus, Use cattle vaccines to protect health and profits webpages or contact your local private veterinarian or DAFWA field veterinary officer.

For more information about the diseases above, contact your private veterinarian or DAFWA veterinary officer.

If you notice any unusual signs of disease in your stock or have unexpected stock deaths, contact your private veterinarian, DAFWA field veterinary officer or the Emergency Animal Disease hotline on 1800 675 888.

New pilot program to boost disease surveillance

The R4R Subsidised Disease Investigation Pilot Program (SDIPP) has been launched to boost surveillance and testing for emergency animal diseases in WA. The program, funded by Royalties for Regions, will subsidise the cost to engage a veterinarian to investigate disease signs in stock (cattle, sheep, pigs or goats).

The pilot aims to encourage producers to contact a veterinarian to conduct a thorough disease investigation, helping to ensure emergency animal diseases are detected early. Information from such investigations provides evidence that Australia is free from many trade-sensitive diseases, which supports market access. Producers also benefit by having the cause of the disease determined, enabling them to put control programs in place and boost their productivity and profitability.

More information is available on the SDIPP webpage or from program coordinator Kevin Hepworth by email kevin.hepworth@agric.wa.gov.au or mobile 0475 834 486.

We welcome your feedback

To provide comments or ask for further information, please contact thomas.deridder@agric.wa.gov.au or see Livestock Biosecurity program contacts.

In this Issue

See Also

You are here

Newsletters

Northern WA Livestock Disease Outlook - for producers

As mustering season begins, look out for...

New pilot program to boost disease surveillance

We welcome your feedback

Pages