The Red Meat Updates working group are excited to announce that registrations for the 2019 Red Meat Updates are now open!

The 7th annual Red Meat Updates is jam packed full of local and interstate presenters, speaking on a variety of relevant red meat topics and projects. This year’s conference theme is ‘Getting down to business’ and we’ve worked hard to put together a program which focuses on all aspects of farm business productivity, including a more intensive focus on human resource management with our new ‘Getting Down to Business’ session.

You can view the full 2019 program here

Red Meat Updates is free for red meat producers and sponsors, full fee tickets can be purchased for $300 ex GST.

See you there!

The March Livestock Health Monitoring Report is now available!

This report outlines various health issues seen in flocks and herds across Tasmania in March 2019.

Several cases of photosensitisation were observed in sheep, dairy cows and deer during March. Photosensitisation is an inflammation of the skin, and in some cases can affect the cornea and conjunctiva of the eye. Photosensitisation can be caused by stock eating a range of plants with photosensitising pigments or as secondary illness resulting from liver damage usually caused by plant toxins, blue-green algae or fungal toxins.

Animals affected with photosensitisation can exhibit a range of symptoms including; irritation, redness and swelling of the affected areas, swollen droopy ears (from oedema), discharge from eyes, and dead, peeling skin in the affected areas with inflammation and scabbing on the underlying skin. Animals with photosensitisation often actively seek shade, exhibit restlessness (cattle may kick at udders or present a drop in milk production) and rub affected areas.

To control photosensitisation outbreaks in your flocks or mobs; Take blood samples from affected animals to check for liver damage, move off paddocks and offer deep shade. Check water source for blue-green algae, pastures for poisonous or pigment plants (e.g. storksbill, rough dogs’ tail or medics) and conduct a spore count of pastures to check for Pithomyces (results in facial eczema).

Treat affected animals with anti-inflammatories or antihistamines and antibiotic cover if necessary.

Read the full report.

Find all previous reports here https://tasanimalhealth.weebly.com/

mild photosensitisation on sheep

Peeling nose due to photosensitisation

Photosensitisation on dairy cow nose

Photosensitisation on dairy cow teat

The February Livestock Health Monitoring Report is now available!

This report outlines various health issues seen in flocks and herds across Tasmania in February 2019.

February saw many cases of body lice in sheep, widespread throughout Tasmania. Sheep body lice (Bovicola ovis) can cause irritation to sheep and can also cause significant economic losses from damaged fleece, high treatment costs and limited sale opportunities. Signs of lice infestation include animals rubbing, biting and scratching.

To check for lice, part the wool a number of times where sheep are rubbed or matted or at least 10 times per side from the neck to the thigh. Lice are small (approximately 2mm long), have a reddish broad head and a pale white body. If you use glasses to read, use them when checking for lice. In sunlight, lice can be seen moving away from the exposed area and back into the wool.

Sheep body lice are controllable and preventable. If lice are found and it will be some time before they can be shorn and treated, a suppressive long-wool treatment can be used. Team should be aware of and abide by all wool handling and harvesting restrictions. If you have mobs which have different shearing and treatment times, make sure they are well separated from each other. Use up to date and current lice products and correct treatment technique for off-shears eradication when shorn. Complete regular muster and ensure good fencing. It is important to be aware that goats can also carry sheep lice.

Read the whole February report. 

Biting lice in wool

fleece biting

The January Livestock Health Monitoring Report is now available!

This report outlines various health issues seen in flocks and herds across Tasmania in January 2018

This month saw several cases of sheep measles in animals from many properties observed at an abattoir. The measles take form as small, white lumps in the heart or skeletal muscles of the sheep. While sheep measles do not affect animal growth rates they do have a significant effect on carcase quality and the carcases need to be trimmed or condemned if severely infected.

Sheep measles is contracted through the transfer of tapeworm eggs in dog faeces onto pasture which is then ingested by the sheep. To prevent an outbreak on your property, ensure that all dogs (including visiting hunter’s and contractor’s dogs) are treated every 30 days with a wormer containing praziquantel.

Read the full report.

Sheep measles evident in diaphragm of lamb

Sheep measles lesion in lamb hindquarters

The December Livestock Health Monitoring Report is now available!

This report outlines various health issues seen in flocks and herds across Tasmania in December 2018.

This month has seen several cases of barber’s pole worm occur earlier in the year than usual, and on some properties in the Southern Midlands that have not previously diagnosed it before. Barber’s pole worms suck blood and cause anaemia, therefore animals can die without scouring. Signs of infection can include paleness on the inside of eyelids and bottle jaw (swelling under the jaw).

If your property has a history of barber’s pole, worm egg counts on manure samples should be conducted every three weeks from December until first frosts appear. To control outbreak, drench mobs and then conduct a drench test (worm egg count 10-14 days after drenching) to ensure it has been effective.

Read the full report.

Bottle jaw observed in a bull 

Sponsorship packages are being snapped up quickly but there are still opportunities available if you and your team want to be a part of Tasmania’s premier red meat industry event.

Packages still available include:

• Major sponsor x 1
• Getting down to business sponsor x 1
• Peak industry body sponsor x 3
• Networking drinks sponsor x 1
• Conference bag sponsor

To view these packages in full, check out the 2019 sponsorship prospectus.

This report outlines various health issues seen in flocks and herds across Tasmania during November 2018.

Two outbreaks of Mycoplasma ovis anaemia were observed in one southern Tasmanian flock. Mycoplasma ovis is usually seen in lambs several weeks after lamb marking. Signs include lameness, pale gums and deaths. The bacterial infection is spread via lamb marking equipment and insects and will destroy the animal’s red blood cells, resulting in anaemia. To treat, leave lambs alone on good feed and water for 4-6 weeks. Yarding and handling infected lambs can precipitate deaths when animals are severely anaemic. It is also possible to treat the whole mob by administering an oxytetracycline antibiotic.

The recent report shows that Ovine Johne’s Disease (OJD) is still occurring in Tasmania with a recent outbreak confirmed in one flock in southern Tasmania. It is critical that all lambs not targeted for slaughter (e.g. ewe lambs, ram lambs) are vaccinated at marking or weaning each year with the Gudair vaccine. Signs of OJD include weight loss in adult sheep and scouring (not in every case), sheep not responding to drench and death generally within weeks of first signs being observed. Vaccination will reduce losses to very low numbers.

View the whole report Livestock Health Monitoring Report November 2018

Carcass on the left is from a sheep affected by OJD, and the carcass on the right is a from an unaffected sheep from the same mob. 

Only a few Red Meat Updates 2019 sponsorship opportunities are still available!

Sponsorship packages are flying out the door but there’s still time to make sure your business is represented at the seventh annual Red Meat Updates!

This event consistently attracts over 300 Tasmanian red meat industry members and gives you and your business the opportunity to network directly with Tasmanian sheep and cattle producers.

We have seven sponsorship packages still available:

• Major sponsor
• Getting down to business session sponsor
• Peak industry body sponsor
• Media sponsor
• Networking drinks sponsor
• Welcome refreshments sponsor
• Conference bag sponsor

For full details on each of these sponsorship packages, check out the Red Meat Updates 2019 – Sponsorship Prospectus.