scholarly journals A survey of the meat goat industry in Queensland and New South Wales. 2. Herd management, reproductive performance and animal health

2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (9) ◽  
pp. 1533 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. M. Nogueira ◽  
B. Gummow ◽  
C. P. Gardiner ◽  
J. Cavalieri ◽  
L. A. Fitzpatrick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
New South ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Poor Performance ◽  
Gastrointestinal Parasites ◽  
Herd Management ◽  
High Rainfall ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Boer Goats

An interview-based questionnaire survey was conducted on 31 goat properties in New South Wales and Queensland in 2013. This study has gathered information on goat herd management, reproductive performance and animal health, and has identified constraints that may limit goat productivity. Producers from high-rainfall regions reported having full blood Boer goats for stud breeding. In contrast, producers from pastoral regions had rangeland goats and Boer-cross goats. Overall, 87% of the producers identified a natural breeding season in goats and 61% separated kids from their mothers at weaning. The weaning age varied between 3.0 and 6.0 months. A total of 52% of producers castrated male kids. Only 10% of producers used ultrasound to conduct pregnancy diagnosis on their goats. The reported pregnancy rate was 60% for the pastoral regions and 94% for the high-rainfall regions. The average prolificacy was 1.4 kids/doe and the kidding interval was 12 months. Overall, 68% of producers fed their goat herd with supplements, with the exception that most producers from western New South Wales and south-western Queensland did not use supplements. Producers considered gastrointestinal parasites (61%) and body lice (48%) as the main diseases associated with their goat herds, although only 52% mentioned drenching the animals with anthelmintics. In general, properties in the pastoral regions showed low pregnancy and kidding rates, early age at first mating, high mortality rates, poor performance of Boer bucks and lower weights and weight gain compared with properties in the high-rainfall regions. The survey has highlighted areas that require further study to validate the observations of producers, for instance, factors that may be limiting the fertility of Boer goats in rangeland environments, the incidence of diseases, the use of Kidplan and management activities to improve goat productivity.

Optimising grain yield and grazing potential of crops across Australia’s high-rainfall zone: a simulation analysis. 2. Canola

2015 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
pp. 349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julianne M. Lilley ◽  
Lindsay W. Bell ◽  
John A. Kirkegaard
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Yield Potential ◽  
N Availability ◽  
Dual Purpose ◽  
High Rainfall ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Vernalisation Requirement ◽  
Crop Density

Recent expansion of cropping into Australia’s high-rainfall zone (HRZ) has involved dual-purpose crops suited to long growing seasons that produce both forage and grain. Early adoption of dual-purpose cropping involved cereals; however, dual-purpose canola (Brassica napus) can provide grazing and grain and a break crop for cereals and grass-based pastures. Grain yield and grazing potential of canola (up until bud-visible stage) were simulated, using APSIM, for four canola cultivars at 13 locations across Australia’s HRZ over 50 years. The influence of sowing date (2-weekly sowing dates from early March to late June), nitrogen (N) availability at sowing (50, 150 and 250 kg N/ha), and crop density (20, 40, 60, 80 plants/m2) on forage and grain production was explored in a factorial combination with the four canola cultivars. The cultivars represented winter, winter × spring intermediate, slow spring, and fast spring cultivars, which differed in response to vernalisation and photoperiod. Overall, there was significant potential for dual-purpose use of winter and winter × spring cultivars in all regions across Australia’s HRZ. Mean simulated potential yields exceeded 4.0 t/ha at most locations, with highest mean simulated grain yields (4.5–5.0 t/ha) in southern Victoria and lower yields (3.3–4.0 t/ha) in central and northern New South Wales. Winter cultivars sown early (March–mid-April) provided most forage (>2000 dry sheep equivalent (DSE) grazing days/ha) at most locations because of the extended vegetative stage linked to the high vernalisation requirement. At locations with Mediterranean climates, the low frequency (<30% of years) of early sowing opportunities before mid-April limited the utility of winter cultivars. Winter × spring cultivars (not yet commercially available), which have an intermediate phenology, had a longer, more reliable sowing window, high grazing potential (up to 1800 DSE-days/ha) and high grain-yield potential. Spring cultivars provided less, but had commercially useful grazing opportunities (300–700 DSE-days/ha) and similar yields to early-sown cultivars. Significant unrealised potential for dual-purpose canola crops of winter × spring and slow spring cultivars was suggested in the south-west of Western Australia, on the Northern Tablelands and Slopes of New South Wales and in southern Queensland. The simulations emphasised the importance of early sowing, adequate N supply and sowing density to maximise grazing potential from dual-purpose crops.

The effect of lambing performance on the face cover of ewes

1964 ◽  
Vol 4 (12) ◽  
pp. 86 ◽  
Author(s):  
RB Dun ◽  
BH Clinton ◽  
TH Crofts ◽  
JOC Furner ◽  
AC Godlee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
New South ◽  
Full Range ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
South Wales ◽  
The Face ◽  
Average Face

Face cover was scored on 1979 maiden ewes mated on seven commercial properties in New South Wales. Results from four muffled flocks (full range of face cover scores) showed a small regression of percentage ewes wet on face cover scored prior to mating (b = -2.9, P<0.01). There was no relationship between these measurements in three open faced flocks (no ewes with face cover above score 4). A second score for face cover, given when the ewes had lambs at foot, was very strongly related to percentage wet ewes (b = -7.5, P<0.001, for muffled flocks and b = -6.3, P<0.01, for open faced flocks). The importance of time of scoring in determining the strength of the relation between reproductive performance and face cover, was caused by wet ewes dropping 0.6 grades in average face cover score between mating and marking. Dry ewes maintained their level of face cover.

Effect of prolonged undernutrition on the recovery and reproductive performance of maiden Merino ewes

1967 ◽  
Vol 7 (24) ◽  
pp. 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
P McInnes ◽  
TJ Grainger ◽  
MD Smith
Keyword(s):  
Body Weight ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
The Other ◽  
First Year ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Feeding Trials ◽  
The Mean

Data are presented on the recovery and reproductive performance of 2 1/2-year-old maiden Merino ewes after a prolonged period of undernutrition. The 217 sheep had been hand-fed on a submaintenance ration in pen feeding trials at Glenfield, New South Wales. During the seven months of the trials they had lost 6 kg (28 to 22 kg) body weight. They were transported to Condobolin in south-western New South Wales, divided into two treatment groups and run on good quality pastures. One group was joined immediately (May 1959) and again ten months later, and the other group was mated after six months at Condobolin (in October 1959) and again 12 months later. The ewes recovered rapidly. The mean weight of both groups had reached 30 kg within six weeks and 40 kg within six months. In the first year 73 of the 100 May-mated ewes bore lambs, but only 38 of these lambs were weaned. Ewes bearing lambs had a higher body weight at the start of joining and gained more during joining than the barren ewes. At the other three joinings (October 1959, May 1960, October 1960) lambing percentage was from 86-89 and weaning percentage from 62-69-both normal for the district. The proportion of twin lambs (3-6 per cent) was low. Wool weight in 1959 was not affected by time of mating or by pregnancy.

The association between face cover and the productivity of Merino ewes in twelve NSW flocks

1967 ◽  
Vol 7 (28) ◽  
pp. 412
Author(s):  
JP Drinan ◽  
RB Dun
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Negative Association ◽  
The Body ◽  
Positive Correlation ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Body Weights ◽  
The Face ◽  
Fleece Weight

The association between the face cover and productivity of more than 3000 Merino ewes has been examined in 12 flocks located in the major sheep producing areas of New South Wales. Each flock was divided into Open (scores 1 and 2), Moderate (scores 3 and 4), and Muffled (scores 5 and 6) groups. A significant negative association between face cover and reproductive performance was apparent in two flocks that contained appreciable numbers of muffled-faced ewes. A similar trend was apparent in another Muffled flock, but in one other Muffled flock and four Open flocks, there was no evidence of such an association. The results from the remaining four flocks were not considered, due to the possibility that the results were confounded by face cover scoring after joining. In one Muffled flock, the body weights of weaner lambs were negatively correlated with their dams' face cover. A relationship between face cover score and total greasy fleece weight, corrected for previous reproductive performance, was absent from most flocks and negative in two, despite evidence of a positive correlation with belly weight. There was a trend to inferior fleeces of finer trade count in Moderate and Muffled groups of several flocks. Excess face cover was found to be an undesirable attribute in Merino flocks. Its importance was greatest in flocks containing appreciable numbers of muffled-faced ewes

Wheat for fodder and grain on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales

1995 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 93 ◽  
Author(s):  
RD FitzGerald ◽  
ML Curll ◽  
EW Heap
Keyword(s):  
Grain Yield ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Annual Rainfall ◽  
Sowing Time ◽  
Wheat Varieties ◽  
Dual Purpose ◽  
Grain Yields ◽  
High Rainfall ◽  
South Wales

Thirty varieties of wheat originating from Australia, UK, USA, Ukraine, and France were evaluated over 3 years as dual-purpose wheats for the high rainfall environment of the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales (mean annual rainfall 851 mm). Mean grain yields (1.9-4.3 t/ha) compared favourably with record yields in the traditional Australian wheatbelt, but were much poorer than average yields of 6.5 t/ha reported for UK crops. A 6-week delay in sowing time halved grain yield in 1983; cutting in spring reduced yield by 40% in 1986. Grazing during winter did not significantly reduce yields. Results indicate that the development of wheat varieties adapted to the higher rainfall tablelands and suited to Australian marketing requirements might help to provide a useful alternative enterprise for tableland livestock producers.

Prevalence of Psychoses on Reception to Male Prisons in New South Wales

2005 ◽  
Vol 39 (6) ◽  
pp. 453-459 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olav Nielssen ◽  
Shavtay Misrachi
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Assessment ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Poor Performance ◽  
Composite International Diagnostic Interview ◽  
Diagnostic Interview ◽  
Psychotic Illness ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Screening Questions ◽  
Available Information

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of psychotic illnesses among men received to prisons in New South Wales. The study also sought to estimate the sensitivity and specificity of the psychosis screener in the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI-Auto). Method: The study was part of a larger study on psychiatric disorder in men received to New South Wales prisons. Using a structured questionnaire, the CIDI-Auto (modified), which included screening questions for psychotic illness, the prisoners who gave positive responses to the screening questions for psychosis as well as any subjects considered by the experienced clinicians performing the CIDI-Auto interviews to show features of a psychotic illness, were referred to the researchers for a clinical assessment. The clinical assessment included a review of all available information. Results: Of the prisoners, 5.1% were thought to have definite psychotic illness and 1.9% to have possible psychotic illness. The psychosis screener was found to be neither sensitive nor specific. Conclusions: The rate of psychotic illness among people remanded to New South Wales prisons is between 10 and 14 times the rate found in a similar study in the wider community. The poor performance of the psychosis screener suggests that screening for psychotic illness on reception to prisons should be performed by clinically trained staff.

Using abattoir surveillance and producer surveys to investigate the prevalence and current preventative management of Caseous lymphadenitis in Merino flocks in Australia

2012 ◽  
Vol 52 (7) ◽  
pp. 675 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. D. Bush ◽  
R. Barnett ◽  
I. J. Links ◽  
P. A. Windsor
Keyword(s):  
Western Australia ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
New South ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Surveillance Data ◽  
Caseous Lymphadenitis ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Livestock Health

The prevalence of Caseous lymphadenitis (CLA) in Australia was estimated to be 5.2% using 2009 abattoir surveillance data from all States supplied by Animal Health Australia involving 5029 lines comprising 1 339 463 sheep. This is a decrease from the 26% estimated in a similar study in 1995. There was a significant difference (P < 0.001) in CLA prevalence between all states except Tasmania and Victoria (P = 0.75) with prevalences of 12.8 and 12.9%, respectively. Western Australia recorded the lowest prevalence with 1.0%. The average CLA prevalence for New South Wales was 5.3% and within three surveyed Livestock Health and Pest Authority regions (Tablelands, Central North and Central West) was 2.9, 4.9 and 4.4%, respectively. The attitude of the majority of producers surveyed in these three Livestock Health and Pest Authority areas was that CLA was of little or no significance (75%) but were aware of the need for CLA control with ~68% using 6-in-1 vaccine, though only 39.9% as recommended. It appears that the prolonged use of CLA vaccination has been successful in reducing the prevalence of CLA across Australia and particularly in New South Wales. Further improvements in communication of information on preventative management practices associated with lice control, importance of using an approved vaccination program, plus increasing producers’ awareness of the importance of CLA control, are indicated.

Production responses in selenium supplemented sheep in northern New South Wales. 2. Liveweight gain, wool production and reproductive performance in young Merino ewes given selenium and copper supplements

1982 ◽  
Vol 22 (115) ◽  
pp. 24 ◽  
Author(s):  
JF Wilkins ◽  
RJ Kilgour ◽  
AC Gleeson ◽  
RJ Cox ◽  
SJ Geddes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Wool Production ◽  
Copper Treatment ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Selenium Treatment

Young Merino ewes on five commercial properties in northern New South Wales were supplemented with selenium and their production was compared with untreated flock mates. They were studied from weaning till first lambing at about two years of age. Treatments of 5 mg selenium were given orally every six weeks for approximately 12 months. Copper treatments were also included to test for a possible concurrent deficiency or interaction with selenium. There were significant responses to selenium in liveweight in four of the five flocks and in wool production in two of the flocks at both shearings. Reproductive performance at first mating was also significantly better in two flocks. There were no beneficial effects of copper treatment nor were there any significant interactions with selenium treatment in any aspect of production measured.

scholarly journals Equine influenza in Australia

2009 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 129
Author(s):  
NR Perkins
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
New South ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Equine Influenza ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Health Response ◽  
National Response ◽  
Response Capacity ◽  
Major Disruption

A large-scale outbreak of equine influenza (EI) virus in Australia in 2007 resulted in major disruption to horse activities and related industries across the nation and particularly in the two infected states (Queensland and New South Wales). In a major test of animal health response capacity, the outbreak was successfully contained and the EI virus eradicated as a result of a coordinated national response that relied heavily on the cooperation of government and industry stakeholders. Quarantine measures have been strengthened to minimise the risk of future incursions and ensure that Australia remains free of this important and highly contagious disease.

Seasonal variation in reproductive performance of Merino ewes in northern New South Wales

1962 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 69 ◽  
Author(s):  
JF Barrett ◽  
TF Reardon ◽  
LJ Lambourne
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Reproductive Performance ◽  
New South ◽  
New South Wales ◽  
Early Summer ◽  
The Other ◽  
South Wales ◽  
Group A

Two groups of Merino ewes were observed for five years to determine the variation within years and to make comparisons between years in the numbers of ewes exhibiting oestrus, in fertility, and in lamb birth weights. A group of 35 ewes (continuous), was run constantly with vasectomized rams and services were recorded. From the other (changing) group, a fresh sub-group of 15 ewes was joined with fertile rams every four to six weeks; services were recorded, together with lambing performance and lamb birth weights.Distinct breeding and anoestrous seasons similar to those shown by other workers were observed in both groups of ewes. However, the onset of oestrous activity was a month earlier in the changing ewes than in the continuous ewes.Fertility was low during spring and early summer and reached a maximum in autumn.The birth weight of the lambs appeared to be predominantly influenced by the ewes' nutrition during pregnancy.

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