Rangelands Memo (August 2011)
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RangelandsRangelands Copyright © Western Australian AgricultureMEMOMEMO Authority, 2011 August 2011 ISSN 1033-5757 Vol. 1, No. 2 EDITOR: Matthew Fletcher Phone: (08) 9166 4019 PO Box 19, Kununurra WA 6743 Email: [email protected] CONTENTS Letter from the editor ............................................................................................................................. 2 Cattle exports to Indonesia – Information Package – July 2011 ............................................................ 3 Indicative guide to transport costs – 2011 ............................................................................................. 7 Feeding weaners – planning and management suggestions ................................................................ 8 Lessons from the cattle crash of 1974 ................................................................................................ 11 Are you bringing stock in from other states? ....................................................................................... 12 Foetal aging to improve young breeder reconception rates in extensive cattle enterprises ................ 14 Pastoral industry survey of the Kimberley and Pilbara – 2010 ............................................................ 15 Fitzroy Crossing bull sale .................................................................................................................... 16 Comparing HGP strategies – Dry season results from a Producer Demonstration Site...................... 17 Design and fabrication of ‘Range Condition Monitoring’ site pegs ...................................................... 19 Broad leaf Wanderrie grass................................................................................................................. 20 Drought – learning from history and experience ................................................................................. 21 Consider diversification ....................................................................................................................... 22 The business of fodder production – diversification ............................................................................ 23 Developing the hay activity.................................................................................................................. 24 Fact Sheet: Non indigenous plant species list for WA ......................................................................... 25 Lateral and centre pivot systems ........................................................................................................ 28 New supply chain officer in Rangelands ............................................................................................. 30 On Farm/Station training ..................................................................................................................... 30 Introducing the Precision Pastoral Management Tools (PPMT) Project .............................................. 31 Cattle Market Update – 29 July 2011 .................................................................................................. 32 Visit http://www.agric.wa.gov.au RANGELANDS MEMO AUGUST 2011 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Anne Marie Huey and Peter Smith have put together a technical information package to try and minimise the long-term effects that the suspension of live cattle exports to Indonesia is having on businesses in WA’s northern pastoral region. The package provides useful information on transport requirements within WA and interstate, cattle management suggestions and potential sale opportunities. Note: Revised export control orders to open the way for trade in live feeder cattle to Indonesia were issued on 6 July 2011 (www.liveexports.gov.au). Producers looking to access meat works and store markets in southern WA or interstate will find the indicative guide to transport costs very useful—for calculating the $/hd/km travelled. Discussions with livestock trans- porters have indicated that distances of approximately 3000 km will generally cost $1.40/km/deck, over 1000 km will cost around $1.45/km/deck and shorter distances of 100 km can cost as much as $1.60/km/deck (guide only). The article ‘Feeding weaners – planning and management suggestions’ discusses the practicalities and opportunities of feeding weaners successfully. Important considerations to help ensure a successful weaning program are discussed; feed rations, cost of feed and managing in the yards. The August 2011 Memo also looks at diversification on a pastoral lease—specifically with regard to growing fodder (hay). Francis Bright has included two articles on the business of fodder production. The first article looks at how DAFWA can work with producers to help them make an informed decision regarding a sound financial investment and site specific information on soil type and water quality. The second article outlines a number of questions businesses need to consider before applying for a diversification permit, such as irrigation management skills, machinery requirements, sighting the area to be developed and business profitability. Are you bringing stock in from other states? Dave Muirson has included an article on the rationale behind border barrier control procedures. This article outlines the steps required before stock can be brought into WA, procedures once an animal has been brought in and inspected and lists the prescribed fees and charges. Broad leaf Wanderrie grass (Monachather paradoxus) is one of the more important grasses that occur in wanderrie vegetation and is relished by stock. John Stretch’s article on broad leaf Wanderrie grass looks at the plant’s habitat and distribution, pastoral value and general description of the plant’s appearance in the field. Happy reading Broad leaf Wanderrie grass tussocks on red sand Matthew Fletcher Please check the address label on your publication. If it is incorrect or if you would like to be included on our mailing list, let us know! Disclaimer This material has been written for Western Australian conditions. Its availability does not imply suitability to other areas, and any interpretation or use is the responsibility of the user. Mention of product or trade names does not imply recommendation, and any omissions are unintentional. Recommendations were current at the time of preparation of the original publication. Front page photos courtesy of Bec Dray, Karratha (Droughtmaster steer), Ruby Plains station (blue dog), Samantha Van Wyngaarden, Kalgoorlie (Damara sheep), Wynyangoo station (billy goat). 2 http://www.agric.wa.gov.au RANGELANDS MEMO AUGUST 2011 CATTLE EXPORTS TO INDONESIA INFORMATION PACKAGE – JULY 2011 Anne Marie Huey, Broome and Peter Smith, Karratha Introduction The suspension of the live cattle trade to Indonesia from 8 June to 6 July 2011 has had a significant impact on northern beef producers. The Australian Government has issued revised export control orders to allow the export of live cattle where animals can be tracked through supply chains that meet international standards—World Animal Health (OIE) guidelines. It is expected that the volume of cattle exported to Indonesia this year will be reduced. This means that northern beef producers are unlikely to be able to turn off the number of cattle they anticipated. This technical information package aims to detail some practical strategies that producers can implement in order to minimise the long-term effects on businesses. Stocking rates The majority of northern Western Australia experienced an above-average wet season in 2011 which resulted in good forage production. If the resumption of live export to Indonesia is slow and the volume of exports low, followed by an average or below average wet season in 2012, the forage supply situation could rapidly become critical in the 2012 dry season. A late start to the 2012 wet season would exacerbate the situation of increased numbers. Thought needs to be given to the consequences of holding on to sale animals over the dry season. Producers with more conservative stocking rates will have higher quality forage later into the dry season. However, by late August 2011 it is likely that stock will be losing body condition as declining forage quality starts to restrict intake. Breeders will now already be in calf—with the majority of calves expected to drop in November/December. Therefore, it is worthwhile considering turning off as many animals as possible if you have concerns about feed availability or the ability of stock to meet market specs in the 2012 season. The risk associated with hanging on to animals in the hope the trade will return to ‘normal’ quickly is overgrazing, which will lead to land degradation and curtail productivity in future years. Sale opportunities – reducing numbers The most effective turnoff strategy will need to be assessed depending on individual circumstances, but as a general principle it is important to sell cattle for which there is a market rather than try to sell cattle that no one really wants. This may mean selling cattle that are not normally sold. For example: • dry cows but in good condition to slaughter markets, and • marketable ‘out of spec’ cattle that may have been left over from the 350 kg market restriction in 2010. Live export Live export was suspended to Indonesia only, and not to other markets. There may still be orders for cattle to the Middle East and other parts of south-east Asia. These are not as reliable as http://www.agric.wa.gov.au 3 RANGELANDS