PastoralPastoral PastoralPastoral© State of Western , 2008. MEMOMEMO

Northern Pastoral Region PO Box 19, Kununurra WA 6743 Phone: (08) 9166 4019 Email: [email protected]

September 2008 ISSN 1033-5757 Vol. 29, No. 3

CONTENTS

Welcome from the editor ...... 3 Northern Rangelands Calendar ...... 3 Rangeland exclosures in the West Kimberley ...... 4 Celebrating Bob McCartney’s long career with the department ...... 5 Prominent visitors for Lamboo Station ...... 6 Low-stress stock handling course at Roebuck Plains ...... 7 Exotic bird alert in ...... 8 EcoFire—Strategic community fire management for the Kimberley...... 9 Parkinsonia seeds don’t last as long as we think! ...... 11 Have you seen these plants? ...... 12 Hay isn’t hay ...... 13 Pregnancy testing of cattle in WA ...... 14 NT heifer research on commercial properties—Newry field day, August 2008...... 16 Sending stock to Midland Saleyards? ...... 18 Update on the Muchea livestock centre ...... 19 Northern Rangelands Pastoral Memo is available online ...... 19 Swill feeding is still illegal ...... 20 NLIS compliance in the Rangelands ...... 20 New biosecurity officer in Karratha ...... 21 Bush nurse: Gout—what is it? ...... 22 PGA Kimberley Division—Annual General Meeting ...... 23 PGA Annual Bull and Commercial Heifer Sale ...... 23 Cattle Market Update—22 September 2008 ...... 24

EDITOR: Matthew Fletcher

Visit http://www.agric.wa.gov.au PASTORAL MEMO – NORTHERN PASTORAL REGION SEPTEMBER 2008

RANGELAND EXCLOSURES IN THE WEST KIMBERLEY

[See page 4 for the full story.]

Photo taken inside exclosure #1 on station in Fitzroy Valley

Photo taken outside exclosure #1 on station in Fitzroy Valley

Front page photo courtesy of Don Hadden, Mt Barnett

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WELCOME FROM THE EDITOR

After a busy August for everyone in the rangelands we zero in on an exotic bird sighted in the Pilbara, discuss the dormancy of Parkinsonia seed—and reveal the identities of two prominent visitors to Lamboo Station in July! The feature article is ‘Rangeland exclosures in the West Kimberley’ written by Bob McCartney, who recently celebrated 30 years of service to the Department of Agriculture and Food in Derby. Bob is well equipped to discuss the history of rangeland exclosures built between 1968 and 1977 and supplemented in the 1980s. He has included some great photos from inside and outside an exclosure in the Fitzroy Valley. The impact of continued heavy grazing is evident outside the exclosure where pasture condition is nowhere near as good. Inside, ground cover has increased significantly and it will not be long before the desirable perennial grasses come back into the system, if they haven’t already. I know what side of the fence I would rather be on if I had to raise a calf every year! An article originally published in the Esperance AgMemo entitled ‘Hay isn’t hay’ helps anyone who buys hay to make an informed decision on the quality of the hay they are buying. Whether feeding bulls for a rodeo, holding cattle in the yards or substitute feeding out in the paddock, this article will help you make an informed decision on the quality of hay you need to buy. Useful rain fell in the Pilbara in late June. Karratha (25 mm), Pardoo (47 mm), Hillside (85 mm) and Bonney Downs (77 mm) all had good falls. Rainfall produced much-needed pasture/herb growth and will help these areas through to the 2008–09 wet season. Falls in the Kimberley were generally not as heavy. However, (41 mm) and (25 mm) had good falls in June. Happy reading Matthew Fletcher

EVENT LOCATION DATE CONTACT

SEPTEMBER Dog baiting – Pilbara Marble Bar 1st Neville McInerney – 9173 1609 Rodeo Pannawonica 5th & 6th Kerri Renton – 0439 028 369 Pilbara Music Festival Port Hedland TBA Sandy Harris – 9158 9368 Royal Show Perth 27th –4th Oct. Kununurra Bushman's Night Rodeo Kununurra 27th Joe & Catherine Atkins – 9167 8823 Conference – Australian Rangelands Charters Towers, 29th – 2nd Oct. Janine King – (07) 5547 0774 Society Qld

OCTOBER Kimberley ZCA Meeting Broome 23rd Noel Wilson – 9166 4000 PGA Meeting – Kimberley Broome-Mangrove 24th Jim Motter (Chairman) – 9191 7141 Hotel Kununurra Apex Barra Bash Skull Rock 27th Mark Furini – 9168 3222 Clean up the Kimberley Kimberley 26th – 28th www.cleanup.org.au/kimberley Pilbara ZCA Meeting TBC 31st Richard Watkins – 9143 7000

NOVEMBER 2008 Desert Knowledge Symposium Alice Springs 3rd – 6th http://www.desertknowledge2008.com PLEASE EMAIL [email protected] WITH DATES OF EVENTS HAPPENING IN YOUR LOCAL AREA http://www.agric.wa.gov.au 3 PASTORAL MEMO – NORTHERN PASTORAL REGION SEPTEMBER 2008

RANGELAND EXCLOSURES IN THE WEST KIMBERLEY

Bob McCartney

Between 1968 and 1977, seventeen exclosures were built in the west Kimberley to provide a benchmark for measuring the impact of livestock on the rangelands over the long term. The exclosures also help pastoralists and researchers to understand the regenerative capacity of degraded rangelands. From Luluigui and in the west to and Christmas Creek stations in the east, the exclosures included most of the important land system and pasture types in the west Kimberley. Each 4 ha exclosure was sited at least 5 km from water and fenced to exclude domestic and large feral animals with netting being used where wallabies were a problem. Data was collected from each exclosure between 1968 to 1985 and showed that plant basal area increased and bare ground decreased between 1977 and 1982 over most but not all exclosures. Exclosures on less degraded areas had responded to stock exclusion. On some, such as Gogo No. 1, the recovery was impressive. In severely degraded areas there was no response as too much top soil had already been removed and soil structure had deteriorated. Mechanical intervention would be required before improvement could occur in these areas.

Regeneration exclosures Spelling was not sufficient to allow regeneration on several degraded areas so mechanical methods were used to promote regeneration. In the early 1980s a regeneration team erected 14 more exclosures to protect the regeneration areas from stock. Work was carried out on Meda, Yeeda, Mt Anderson, , Nerrima, , Gogo, and Cherrabun stations. Ponding, cultivation by ripping, introduced species and mulch trials were tested. Some sites responded well but others failed to improve due to an exposed sodic layer (through loss of topsoil), soil slumping and cultivation that lasted only a season. Other exclosures have shown some regeneration and should be maintained so that they continue to provide useful information.

The future Will these exclosures have a use in the future? If so, they will need to be maintained.

The inside story Collection of frequency data from each exclosure was a complex process. A transect is a fixed line along which measurements are made. There were five transects inside and five outside each exclosure. Each transect was five chains long (about 100 m) and recordings were made every five links, giving 100 recordings per transect.

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A surveyor’s tape was stretched between two fixed pickets and a turnbuckle was used to tighten the steel tape. The tape was marked at intervals with brass inserts. Measurements were made using the Parker Loop method. The parker loop was a three-quarter inch diameter loop on a one-eighth inch diameter rod, 36 inches long. Plant basal cover (the width of plant at the base), per cent litter cover and bare ground were recorded at Aerial view of exclosure in Fitzroy Valley irregular intervals in June or July except for 1969 and 1970 when recording was done in November. Evidence of recent fires was recorded by the observers when visiting sites. Photographic records were also kept. Data was collected from 1968 to 1985. This data is still held at the Derby office.

CELEBRATING BOB MCCARTNEY’S LONG CAREER WITH THE DEPARTMENT

Bob McCartney was appointed on 12 January 1977 as a Field Assistant based at Fox River Station but due to a cyclone he had to start in Forrestfield, Perth. The appointment was subject to a six months probation which was subject to satisfactory conduct, diligence and efficiency. Bob also had to pass a medical examination (paid for by himself) including a chest X-ray clear of TB. In October 1977 Bob came back to the Kimberley to work at Laurel Downs Research Station (now part of Jubilee Downs and Brooking Springs pastoral stations). The following April, Bob went to Broome to set up the meat works carcass classification system for the abattoir supplying meat to the USA for hamburgers. Bob later returned to Laurel Downs but the decision had been made to close the Research Station. Bob moved to Derby in late 1978 and has been there ever since. ‘Barra’ Bob McCartney holds legendary status among his Kimberley colleagues and friends. Bob’s profound knowledge and understanding of the northern rangelands and their management has been built on an enormous accumulation of careful field observations. These have been interpreted and put into context through innumerable hours of discussion with station people and fellow officers, in the paddock, across kitchen tables, around the campfire and back in the office. Over the years, Bob has been involved in many facets of the department’s rangeland work, including pastoral lease inspections, rangeland monitoring, resource surveys, lease mapping, plant introduction studies and experimental trials. The value of watching familiar country over decades, spanning varying runs of seasons, differing management practices and the development of improved infrastructure, cannot be underestimated. Bob has been generous in sharing his hard-won experience and has been a first-rate mentor to the many officers who have worked with him over the years. Bob, we thank you for your good company and look forward to many more years of working alongside you. http://www.agric.wa.gov.au 5 PASTORAL MEMO – NORTHERN PASTORAL REGION SEPTEMBER 2008

PROMINENT VISITORS FOR LAMBOO STATION

Russell Shaw, Derby

Senior ministers for agriculture visited the in July to inspect the pastoral industry. The WA Minister for Agriculture Kim Chance and the Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke met Aboriginal station managers and inspected development projects. They also discussed the roles of the Department of Agriculture and Food, , the Indigenous Land Corporation (ILC) and the Kimberley Indigenous Management Support Service (KIMSS) in providing management and technical support to land managers. At Lamboo Station, south of Halls Creek, they examined infrastructure improvements including a set of trap yards built to reduce the cost of shifting stock between paddocks and mustering. A system of self-operating ‘spear’ gates at Lamboo and the realignment of fencing to achieve greater control of grazing have significantly reduced mustering costs. Mr Burke was told that Lamboo’s first round muster in 2008 cost about 30 cents per head of cattle compared with $15–20 per head in 2006. Meat and Livestock Australia has funded the final part of an assessment of their functionality and cost benefits. The visitors also inspected numerous other fencing and water point development projects funded through the ILC Land Management Assistance Program. With the commitment of land managers, support from the KIMSS project and ILC investment in infrastructure there has been significant turnaround on properties with improvements in herd numbers, turn-off and herd value increasing by as much 800 per cent. Mr Burke and Mr Chance also met the manager of Noonkanbah Dickey Cox and the manager of Milijiddee Station Ronnie Lomada. Mr Cox explained how the KIMSS project started from an idea on in 1997. Both managers recognised that mentoring, training and capacity building of Indigenous staff under the KIMSS project had contributed to the success of their pastoral businesses.

Old mates: Tony Burke and Laurie Yeeda stand at Midnight bore spears on Lamboo station.

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Dollar for dollar funding partnerships with the ILC enabled them to develop their station infrastructure and improve the quality of their herds. The community was pleased that the ministers were able to see the positive side of Aboriginal life in the Kimberley and to meet Aboriginal businessmen who through determination and hard work had achieved considerable success. The managers provided the visitors with an encouraging picture of the WA Minister for Agriculture Kim Chance, manager of Indigenous pastoral industry in the Noonkanbah Dickey Cox, manager of Milijiddee Ronnie Kimberley. Lomada and Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke

LOW-STRESS STOCK HANDLING COURSE AT ROEBUCK PLAINS

Russell Shaw, Derby

Cattleman Jim Lindsay ran a low-stress stock handling course for 17 Aboriginal stockmen, station managers and trainees at in June. Ten participants in the two-day course were from the Indigenous Land Corporation’s Roebuck Plains training centre. The others came from Mt Pierre and Mt Barnett stations. Stockmen from Mt Pierre and Mt Barnett travelled to Derby the day before to make sure they would not be late. On the first day, the blokes from Mt Barnett woke up the manager of the KIMSS project at 5 am, knocking on his front door to pick up an Ag Department vehicle to take them to Roebuck. He had been expecting them about 6.30 am but they were keen to ‘get going and have a look at Roebuck’. All participants gave heartening praise for the course and Participants, trainers and Roebuck staff at the workshop http://www.agric.wa.gov.au 7 PASTORAL MEMO – NORTHERN PASTORAL REGION SEPTEMBER 2008 enjoyed the opportunity to mix with the Roebuck Plains mob. The manager of Mt Barnett summed it up by saying, ‘We feel challenged to get things right at our stations,’ and ‘We didn’t think that learning would be so interesting and enjoyable—we could have gone for longer’. They were keen for another course—or rather other courses—to be held soon on their own properties or on other Aboriginal properties in the Kimberley. In the opinion of the oldest participant Alec Ungaden (who is over 70), ’This was a good course; we learn this way Alec Ungaden (standing) from Mt Barnett, in the olden day. This proper way to Warren Woodhouse (WW) from Roebuck and handle cattle; good to see you blokes Dwayne Donation from Mt Barnett going back to proper way’. Alec was excited about the methods that Jim Lindsay taught and was pleased to see that the ways of handling stock that he learnt as a boy are returning. When he arrived back in Derby, Alec used some strong words to make it clear to a couple of blokes that were invited, but didn’t go, just what they missed out on. This is the first time that Roebuck Plains and the KIMSS project have had an opportunity to work together and, based on the success of this course, it should not be the last. Everyone commented on the hospitality and friendliness of the Roebuck Plains staff and would like to extend their thanks to manager Doug Miller and the Indigenous Land Corporation for making Roebuck Plains available to host the course.

EXOTIC BIRD ALERT IN PILBARA

Residents living near port areas in the Pilbara are being urged to report sightings of unusual birds, following the recent discovery of a sparrow. Department of Agriculture and Food Karratha district manager Richard Watkins said staff from Dampier Salt at Port Hedland reported the sighting to the department. Mr Watkins said department staff visited the facility and confirmed the sighting as a sparrow. Dampier Salt staff assisted in determining control options and were successful in trapping the sparrow. Dampier Salt staff have been congratulated for reporting the sighting ‘Tree sparrows and house sparrows are a declared of a sparrow to the Department of pests in Western Australia, with the potential to damage Agriculture and Food. cultivated grain and horticulture crops, spread disease and compete with native birds for food,; he said.

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‘They usually gather in small groups in settled areas, especially streets, parks and gardens, golf courses, suburbs and rural centres, and can be seen hopping around on the ground, on power lines and fences. ‘They are about 15 centimetres long and look similar to finches, but are slightly plumper. They are basically brown or dark grey in colour, with a chestnut-brown head, black face, black throat mark and large black ear spot on a white cheek.’ Mr Watkins said he would like to thank Dampier salt for their efforts in controlling this bird. ‘The discovery of the sparrow in Port Hedland highlighted the need for members of the public to report any unusual birds,’ he said. Any sightings of sparrows or other unusual exotic birds should be reported to the department’s Pest and Disease Information Service on freecall 1800 084 881. For more information on sparrows and other pest birds, visit the department’s website www.agric.wa.gov.au.

ECOFIRE—STRATEGIC COMMUNITY FIRE MANAGEMENT FOR THE KIMBERLEY

In recent decades the Kimberley has been subject to frequent, extensive mid-to-late dry season fires (i.e. July to December). This fire pattern has major long-term ecological, cultural and economic costs. Single fires often dwarf entire properties, making it hard for land managers to tackle the problem alone. In response to this, the Rangelands NRM Coordinating Group (Rangelands WA) invested in EcoFire, a demonstration project in the Kimberley involving multiple properties of different land tenure. The project provides resources for fire management to the participating properties, and helps coordinate fire management at a regional level by improving communication among neighbours, government agencies and other stakeholders. Rangelands WA contracted the Australian Wildlife Conservatory (AWC) to manage the project from its base at Mornington Wildlife Sanctuary. EcoFire is guided by a steering committee of representa- tives from Kimberley organisations and stakeholder groups with an interest in the region’s fire management. The project is carried out by all the landholders and managers involved.

EcoFire successfully changes fire patterns in 2007 Stage one of EcoFire involved nine central Kimberley properties covering over 2 million hectares (see Pastoral Memo Vol. 28, No. 3). Working with AWC, property managers developed a Regional Burn Plan, which created a series of strategic firebreaks running across property boundaries. These firebreaks were established using aerial incendiaries dropped from an R44 helicopter (flown by Butch Maher) in May 2007. Property managers also carried out on-ground follow-up work. The prescribed burning dramatically changed regional fire patterns. Mid-to-late dry season fires made up a smaller proportion of all fires than in previous years, and were much smaller because they were contained by the prescribed firescars. Also, patches of burnt and unburnt vegetation were scattered more evenly throughout the project area, providing refuges for wildlife and grazing stock. http://www.agric.wa.gov.au 9 PASTORAL MEMO – NORTHERN PASTORAL REGION SEPTEMBER 2008

EcoFire expands in 2008 Based on its 2007 success, EcoFire has expanded in 2008 to include five more properties (see Figure 1), taking the project area to almost 5 million hectares. During April and May, AWC staff, Butch and property managers flew 24 000 km and dropped 30 000 incendiaries over the central and north Kimberley. At the same time, EcoFire’s project partners—the Department of Environment and Conservation and the WA Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA)—carried out aerial burning on neighbouring national parks and pastoral stations. Some landholders involved with the project, like Cait and Nigel Westlake of Mount House- Glenroy, put in their own firebreaks with the support of EcoFire. While we will have to wait until the end of this year to assess the effectiveness of EcoFire’s prescribed burning, the Kimberley seems better prepared than ever for this year’s mid-to-late dry fire season. EcoFire also brings together different organisations to carry out monitoring, development and communication programs. The Department of Agriculture and Food has set up monitoring sites on five EcoFire properties to look at the relationship between different sorts of fires, grazing pressure and pasture condition. The Kimberley Land Council trialled participatory fire management planning with the Yulumbu community of Tablelands Station. FESA provided training in prescribed fire management to EcoFire participants, and AWC is developing a communication program to improve awareness of fire-related issues in the broader community. EcoFire demonstrates how land managers can work together to change fire patterns and enhance biodiversity, pastoral and cultural values. The project reflects AWC’s commitment to contribute to improved land management outside its own properties, and is consistent with Rangelands WA core purpose—to lead, inspire and foster partnerships to sustainably manage the region’s natural heritage. Additional information can be obtained from Mornington Wildlife Sanctuary on 9191 7014 or Rangelands WA (Kununurra) on 9169 1342.

Figure 1. The properties involved in EcoFire Stage 2

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PARKINSONIA SEEDS DON’T LAST AS LONG AS WE THINK!

Rieks van Klinken, CSIRO Entomology

Parkinsonia, a thorny shrub from the Americas, is a serious pasture weed across rangeland Australia. Its seeds have a protective hard coat which was thought to help them remain dormant (inactive) in the soil for years, making management difficult. We studied the behaviour of seeds to improve our understanding of dormancy and so develop better management strategies. In the lab, wet, hot conditions broke dormancy and allowed germination. But seeds stored in cool dry conditions lasted indefinitely. So what did this mean for seeds in the wild? To find out, we buried seeds near Darwin during the wet season. Seeds broke dormancy very rapidly under bare earth where conditions were hot and wet, but most remained dormant under dense grass and trees where conditions were relatively cool (see Figure 1). We also buried seeds in other climate zones (arid to wet-dry tropics) and habitats 1 00% across Australia. As expected, when seeds were buried in the open most lost dormancy and 80% germinated in the first wet season. But in wetlands, where it was relatively cool under water and then 60% under the dense grass growth, around 9% of buried seeds were still dormant after four years. 40% Seed bank longevity may therefore be greatly

reduced by manipulating vegetation cover. One way dormant still seeds of % 20% would be to reduce herbaceous cover soon after killing parent trees and coinciding with hot-wet conditions (e.g. an early wet-season burn). Because 0% of the bare ground, the first substantial rains would Control Bare earth G rass Canopy cover cover then produce mass germination. These would need to be treated, but the need for longer-term follow-up Figure 1. Seed dormancy after 14 weeks would be greatly reduced. burial under various conditions near Darwin This research was made possible through funding from the federal government and collaborations with QDPI, NT Weeds Branch, DAFWA and DEC in WA.

Contact details: Dr Rieks van Klinken Tropical Invasive Plants CSIRO Entomology, 120 Meiers Rd Indooroopilly, Qld 4068 Phone: (07) 3214 2761 Email: [email protected]

Further information: Parkinsonia: an introduced woody weed (http://www.csiro.au/science/ps2ko.html)

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HAVE YOU SEEN THESE PLANTS?

Linda Anderson, NRM Project Manager (Pilbara)

HAVE YOU SEEN THESE PLANTS? If you think you have seen or know of either Calotropis or Chinee apple on your pastoral station, please report this to your local Department of Agriculture and Food office for confirmation and guidance on control techniques.

Calotropis or rubber tree (Calotropis procera) Calotropis is a spreading shrub which grows up to 4 meters tall, and has large leaves (10-20 cm long and 4- 10 cm wide) which are pointed at the tip and heart- shaped at the base. Flowers typically bloom on the outer most tips of branches, and often cluster. Flowers have purplish tips and centres. Fruit is large, up to 12 cm long and almost as wide—it resembles a green mango in shape and size. Seeds are contained within the fruit, and are white with tufts of long silky hairs at one end. Each fruit can contain hundreds of seeds. Calotropis flower Declaration: Calotropis is declared as P1 for the districts of Esperance, Port Hedland and Roebourne (movement of plants and seeds prohibited within the state, including contaminated machinery and produce) and a P2 in the shires of Ashburton, East Pilbara, Roebourne and the Town of Port Hedland (treat all plants to destroy and prevent propagation each year until no plants remain, and the infested area is treated in such a way that there is no movement of plant material or seed) Calotropis is widespread throughout the Kimberley region. Reports of this weed should only be made for the Pilbara through the Karratha (9143 7000) or Port Hedland offices (9173 1609).

Chinee apple or jujube (Ziziphus mauritiana) Chinee apple grows in the form of a shrub or small tree, identified by its zigzag branches with leaves and thorns at each angle. Its leaves are rounded, shiny green on top and white underneath. The plant exudes a highly noticeable unpleasant smell, especially when in fruit. Flowers of Chinee apple are small and incon- spicuous, while fruit are small and rounded, green when immature and turning a pale yellow or orange colour when ripe. Known infestations of Chinee apple are historically associated with orchard plantings around homesteads, as the fruit is edible when ripe. Declaration: Chinee apple is declared as a category Fruit and flower of Chinee apple P1 for the state (prohibited movement of the plant and seeds, including contaminated machinery and livestock), and a P5 in the Kimberley (infestations on public lands must be controlled).

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HAY ISN’T HAY

Matthew Ryan, Beef Development Officer and Sandra Prosser, Sheep Development Officer, DAFWA, Esperance

When purchasing hay you are buying energy and protein. So before you purchase and transport hay from the south, it will pay to get a sample tested. The table below shows the variation in the energy and protein of hay that has been tested in WA. For each range the lower values show poorer and lower quality, while the higher value indicates higher quality. Table 1. Variation in energy and protein of hay tested in WA

Dry matter Metabolisable energy Crude protein Type of hay (%) (MJ/kg) (%) Oaten Early cut 90 8.8 – 10.2 7.0 – 12.5 Late cut 90 8.0 – 9.0 4.0 – 7.5 Pasture (grass dominant) Early cut 88 9.0 – 10.8 12.0 – 18.0 Late cut 88 8.0 – 9.5 8.0 – 12.0 Pasture (clover dominant) Early cut 88 9.5 – 11.2 15.0 – 23.0 Late cut 89 8.5 – 9.8 11.0 – 15.0 Source: Good Food Guide for Sheep DAFWA Bulletin 4473. If we consider the nutritional requirements of typical cattle in the district… Cattle—Nutritional requirements of different classes of cattle

Energy Liveweight Daily intake Protein Class (ME/kg of (kg) (kg of DM) (%) DM) Cow in last third of pregnancy 550 10.1 8.0 7.8 Heifers nursing calves 450 9.5 9.4 10.0 Cows nursing calves 550 10.5 8.4 9.3 Weaner steers 350 8.4 8.8 8.3

…and then compare these requirements to the values in the tested hay table. You will notice that in some cases the energy and more often the protein of the lower range of the oaten and grassy hays is not matching the nutritional requirements of the breeding stock. In these cases no matter how much you feed of this poorer quality hay, the stock would still be losing condition. It therefore pays to know the quality of the hay that you intend to buy. There are two labs which will test your hay:

Independent Lab Services FEEDTEST PO Box 708 Private Bag 105 Claremont WA 6060 Hamilton VIC 3300 Phone: (08) 9525 7085 Phone: 1300 655 474 Email: [email protected]

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The results of analysis are certainly good for that sample but to provide really useful information the sample must be truly representative of the consignment. Several bales (no less than six) should be sampled; round bales should be sampled from the curve and square bales from the end. This task is best done with a proper hay corer. Please remember if you are sending samples by courier, send them towards the start of the week, so they do not spoil while in transit over the weekend. Before buying hay from the south, get the hay tested so that you know the quality you are purchasing and whether or not it will do the job that it is being purchased for. It costs the same to transport good hay as poor hay so why not buy the good stuff?

PREGNANCY TESTING OF CATTLE IN WA

Peter Smith and Richard Norris, Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia

Cattle producers should be aware that there is a process for lay pregnancy testers to be recognised in Western Australia. A lay pregnancy tester is a person who is not a registered veterinarian but has met the criteria described below to become accredited by the Veterinary Surgeons’ Board of WA to pregnancy test cattle. Section 26(4)(b) of the Veterinary Surgeons Act of WA now accepts that a person who is not a registered veterinary surgeon may, under the direction of a registered veterinary surgeon, carry out an act of veterinary surgery that is specified by regulation, on the condition that the person is authorised by the Veterinary Surgeons’ Board of WA. Pregnancy testing is regarded as an act of veterinary surgery under the veterinary practices Acts in Western Australia, Queensland and Tasmania, but not in the , , Victoria and New Zealand. The Veterinary Surgeons’ Board of WA will authorise a person, and has already done so, to pregnancy test cattle on the condition that: (i) the applicant provides certification of competency by means of; (a) recognised prior learning, a theory examination and a practical test; or (b) completion of a nationally recognised training course followed by a theory examination and a practical test; and (ii) the Board approves the registered veterinary surgeon under whose direction the applicant or authorised person will operate. The Veterinary Surgeons’ Board of WA currently recognises a course equivalent to the nationally accredited training package RTE4124A provided by the Charles Darwin University Rural Campus, Katherine, including evidence that the person is able to detect as pregnant, cows which are eight or more weeks pregnant with an accuracy of 100% in 20 cows.

People with current competency People with current competency can apply for Recognition of Current Competency. Applicants will be required to: (i) provide proof of sufficient recent competency and experience;

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(ii) have undertaken a practical examination of 20 animals and detected cows which are eight or more weeks pregnant with an accuracy of 100%; (iii) have undertaken a theory examination equivalent to the RTE4124A with a minimum score of 80%.

New pregnancy testers Assessment by theory exam and practical examination will be as above. New pregnancy testers and applicants unable to meet the requirements of current competency would enrol in a course equivalent to RTE4124A. The registered training organisation (RTO) will provide instruction at a facility that has suitable infrastructure and access to non-pregnant cattle and cattle at a variety of stages of pregnancy. New pregnancy testers assessed to be competent by the RTO may submit to the Registrar: (a) an application for authorisation; (b) evidence of competency; (c) evidence in relation to the registered veterinary surgeon under whose direction the applicant intends to operate. On authorisation, the Board will provide a certificate of accreditation and an accreditation number. The Board will maintain a register of authorised persons.

Maintenance of competency Maintenance of competency requires evidence of having examined a moving average of at least 500 cattle a year over a three-year period. Evidence of activity can be provided by: (i) records of export pregnancy testing; (ii) records of production pregnancy testing corroborated by herd records. Approvals will be reviewed annually by the Veterinary Surgeons’ Board. In the event that a person does not maintain the moving average of at least 500 a year over a three-year period, the Board will require re-certification by an RTO.

Additional Information Accredited lay pregnancy testers and registered veterinarians may pregnancy test their own cattle but this testing will not be accepted for export purposes by AQIS under the Australian Standards for the Export of Livestock. The adoption of this process by lay pregnancy testers and sponsoring veterinarians, and the use of lay pregnancy testers in the cattle industry is a commercial matter. If there is sufficient commercial demand to conduct pregnancy testing courses in Western Australia, then an organisation that is an RTO may choose to run such courses. The Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia is not a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and does not conduct training courses in pregnancy testing in Western Australia.

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NT HEIFER RESEARCH ON COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES—NEWRY FIELD DAY, AUGUST 2008

Tim Schatz, Beef Research Officer, NT DPIFM—Pastoral

Newry Station (in the western VRD near the WA border) has been a commercial heifer research and demonstration site since 2004, as part of an NT-wide project aiming to improve heifer performance on commercial cattle stations. On 20 August 2008 a successful field day was held at Newry at which the findings of the heifer research being conducted there were presented. Speakers on the day included Tim Schatz (DPIFM project leader of the heifer research), Matt Bolam (MB Consulting), Ken Warriner (Consolidated Pastoral Company) and Kununurra-based vet Peter Letchford. Some of the results of the research at Newry presented at the field day were: • Conception rates in maiden and first calf heifers were strongly influenced by weight, with conception rates increasing as weight increased. • First calf heifer re-conception rates were low at Newry due to the light weight of heifers between calving and weaning (as they are on many properties across the NT—see Table 1). Most heifers were in too poor condition to resume cycling before weaning and it was not until the following wet season that their condition picked up enough for them to re-conceive. Those heifers that did re- conceive were heavier on average than those that didn’t. • First lactation heifers that re-conceived seemed to have higher ongoing fertility than those that did not (although it is still early days in monitoring their long-term performance). • Calf loss in first calf heifers was high (26% overall). High rates of calf loss were found to be very common on many NT cattle properties (see Table 1). Where a heifer had successfully raised her first calf, calf loss of the next pregnancy was lower than in heifers that lost their first calf (17% vs 29%). Calf loss rates were highest in heifers that calved between October and December (these are the hottest months and also the months when pasture quality is at its worst). • An experiment was undertaken to determine whether Vitamin A was a major cause of the high calf loss (as it has been found to be during drought in western Queensland and on the ). Heifers greater than four months pregnant in September 2007 were allocated to either a Vitamin A treatment or to a control treatment. The Vitamin A treatment group was given a single injection of Vitamec ADE at the time of allocation, while the control group was not. Subsequently calf loss rates were not significantly different between the Vitamin A or control groups. • A single vaccination of maiden heifers against vibriosis before their first joining increased conception rates by 11% at the first round muster after joining. The benefit was reduced by the second round muster, meaning that there was a higher proportion of late pregnancies in heifers that were not vaccinated against vibriosis. Late conceptions are not desirable, as these heifers will calve and lactate in the dry season. This is likely to reduce their chances of re-conception and increase the likelihood that they and/or their calf will die. Their progeny are also likely to have lower weaning weights and may take an extra year to reach turn-off weight. • Loss rates of the EID (NLIS) tags used in data recording were 0.6% after 1.5 years, 3.5% after 2.5 years, and 10.9% after 3.5 years. However, it should be noted that most tags that fell out were not positioned correctly in the ear and that very few tags that had been put in the right place fell out.

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As well as presenting the findings from the research at Newry, Tim Schatz also spoke about the findings of recent performance recording that has been conducted on commercial cattle properties right across the NT. The aim of this work was to get more reliable information on how well heifers and young breeders actually perform on NT properties. Due to the large scale of properties, quoted performance figures are often just an educated guess. The findings of this work were: • Maiden heifer conception rates were generally adequate when they were mated first at two years of age (although conception rates could be low where joining weights were low). • Re-conception rates in lactating first calf heifers were often very low due to low weight/condition between calving and weaning. Re-conception rates were less than 25% on eight of the 11 properties on which performance was recorded (see Table 1). • Calf loss rates (from PTIC to weaning) in first calf heifers were often high. The average calf loss over all the herds studied was 22% and calf loss exceeded 30% in five of the 11 herds studied.

Table 1. Performance of heifers on NT commercial cattle properties Only heifers that conceived before their calves had been weaned were included in calculating the 1st lactation heifer pregnancy rate. VRD = Victoria River District, Barkly = Barkly Tableland, Alice Sp. = Alice Springs district, C = central, N = north, S = south, E = east, W = west, Bra = Brahman, Bra X = Brahman cross, Santa = Santa Gertrudis. The year and month in which the measurements were recorded are shown in superscript.

Maiden heifer 1st lactation heifer 1st lactation heifer 1st lactation Property Breed pregnancy rate pregnancy rat avg. wt. at WR heifer calf los location (%) (%) (kg) (%)

Bra 59 2005 4 2006 306 May 24 VRD (N) 2006 2007 Apr Bra 65 5 314 34 VRD (S)1 Bra & Bra X 72 2005 17 2006 15 VRD (E) Bra 84 2003 14 2004 312 Apr 12 VRD (C) Bra 84 2005 1 2006 256 May 14 Sturt Plateau Bra & Bra X 53 2007 (4) 30 2007 294 Jul 25 Barkly (N) Bra & Bra X 85 2005 3 2006 309 Aug 32 Barkly (NW) Santa 7 2005 (5) 316 Aug Barkly (C) 1, 2 Composite 86 2006 88 2007 494 May 10 2007 Aug 3 Composite 76 421 30 Barkly (E) Santa 68 2007 416 Aug 39 Barkly (SW) Santa 21 2005 321 May 35 Alice Sp. (N) Shorthorn 84 2005 Alice Sp. (N) Santa 88 2007 Angus 81 2004 17 2005 322 Jun 4 Alice Sp. (S) 2005 2006 Apr Angus 77 16 313 12 1 These two herds were control mated for three months (all the other herds were continuously mated). 2 This is a stud herd. 3 Two groups of heifers (of different genotypes in separate paddocks) were recorded on this property. 4 Heifers were mated at the end of the year in which they were weaned and so were almost a year younger at first mating than is normal for maiden heifers in the NT. 5 Drier than average conditions were experienced in this year resulting in performance that is lower than normal on this property.

Contact details: Tim Schatz, Beef Research Officer, NT DPIFM—Pastoral Phone: (08) 8999 2332 Email: [email protected]

http://www.agric.wa.gov.au 17 PASTORAL MEMO – NORTHERN PASTORAL REGION SEPTEMBER 2008

SENDING STOCK TO MIDLAND SALEYARDS? THEN PLEASE NOMINATE—TO SELL YOUR COWS FIRST!

Since August 2007, it has been a requirement to nominate stock destined for sale at Midland Saleyard. Since April 2008, Midland Saleyards has been trialling Sale by Category to enable stock to be better and more consistently presented for sale. Sale by Category changes the sale order. Stock are sold first by Category then by Agent. For example all the cows are sold first followed by bulls, with agents rotating within each category. Traditionally, the stock are sold in agent order. Now agents rotate (as per the predetermined order) within category. In the first instance, Sale by Category will be confined to Bulls and Cows, but will be expanded to include all stock once nominations reach 90% (we are currently on 70%). Nominations are important because they are the basis of sale planning and stock presentation. They are being implemented at Midland Saleyards in preparation for our move from Midland to The Livestock Centre, Muchea. All cattle must be nominated by 5 pm on Friday. If you do not know the exact number of stock that you are going to send, an estimate is acceptable. Cattle nominations cannot be provided on Saturday. There are three ways you can provide nominations (Hotline OR fax OR email): 1. The Nominations Hotline will take calls 24 hours a day. Just telephone the FREECALL number 1800 721 728. This will connect to a call centre that will ask: Sheep or cattle, Agent, Producer name and telephone number. Will you be providing a breakdown of your stock? (If no: the total number of mixed.) If yes, the number of bulls, cows, heifers, steers, calves for the calf sale (in the case of cattle) or the number of lambs and adult sheep (in the case of sheep). Finally, the name of the carrier is sought. 2. Fax nominations via fax number (08) 9250 4954. 3. Email: [email protected]

Western Australian Meat Industry Authority, Livestock Logistics WA, PO Box 1434, Midland Western Australia 6936 WAMIA: (08) 9274 7533 y LLWA Saleyard: (08) 9250 8093 y LLWA Facsimile: (08) 9250 4954

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UPDATE ON THE MUCHEA LIVESTOCK CENTRE

Tenders for the construction of the facility were advertised in on 13 and 20 August 2008. It will be advertised in The Weekend Australian on 16 and 23 August 2008. All project documentation has been completed. Important design features include: • Transhipment area with a capacity of 1000 head to allow pastoral stock to be fed, watered and rested prior to being prepared for sale. • Special pastoral draft (similar to Warrawagine Station) for drafting stock. • All cattle will be on sawdust to reduce animal stress and allow for better presentation. • All stock will be undercover and have continual access to water. • Cattle sale area will have the capacity of 2500 head. • The calf sale area, cattle receival and load out will have the capacity of about 800 head. Stage 2 earthworks is complete on the Muchea site. The 16 ha cut and fill, upon which the pad and hard stand will sit, is complete along with two anaerobic ponds, three aerobic ponds and a water storage dam. With the July rains, the dams are now full. Sale by Category commenced at Midland in April and is progressing well, with cows and bulls now sold in category order. In the last six months we have been feeding round bales at Midland to cut costs for pastoralists— this will continue at Muchea. The Animal Welfare Standards for Western Australian Saleyards was launched by the federal and state Ministers for Agriculture on 8 July. These Standards will apply not only to Muchea, but Katanning, Great Southern and Boyanup’s replacement. Animal Welfare Standards, plus Working Manual encompass: planning and contingencies; maintenance and design of equipment and facilities; staff competency; management of humane destruction of weak, ill or injured stock; management of livestock to minimise stress and injuries; and humane slaughter procedure. The Standards have been developed in close consultation with industry, including WA Farmers Federation and Pastoralists and Graziers Association and the Livestock Transporters Association.

Western Australian Meat Industry Authority, Livestock Logistics WA, PO Box 1434, Midland Western Australia 6936 WAMIA: (08) 9274 7533 y LLWA Saleyard: (08) 9250 8093 y LLWA Facsimile: (08) 9250 4954

NORTHERN RANGELANDS PASTORAL MEMO IS AVAILABLE ONLINE

For all the avid readers of the Pastoral Memo who would like to send an electronic copy to a friend or to see colour photographs, please go to our website and download your copy.

www.agric.wa.gov.au/agency/pubns/agmemos/npm

http://www.agric.wa.gov.au 19 PASTORAL MEMO – NORTHERN PASTORAL REGION SEPTEMBER 2008

SWILL FEEDING IS STILL ILLEGAL

Matthew Bullard, Broome

A timely reminder that feeding swill to livestock, especially pigs, is still a strict no-no! Swill is classified as any feed substance or other waste material containing any traces of meat, meat products or other waste not known to be free of meat and meat products or from any contact with meat and meat products. This by necessity includes home food scraps as well as waste from commercial sources such as restaurants, bakeries and shops including used cooking oil that has not been processed to comply with requirements. If any product or waste is in doubt, it is classified as swill and is illegal to be fed to livestock. (It should be noted that some pig feeds may contain some meat, blood or milk products that have been produced by appropriate manufacturing processes.) Other sources classified as swill includes all animal carcasses, both domestic and wild (i.e. rabbits, kangaroos, etc.) that has resulted either as a product of human activity or died from natural causes. Why is swill feeding illegal? Meat products are known to be able to carry and transmit exotic diseases such as foot and mouth disease (FMD) and bovine spongiform disease (mad cow disease ). Now while diseases such as these are still not present in Australia, the potential still exists for them to be unwittingly or illegally imported by the unwary and the uncaring. The consequences would be devastating, both in terms of economic loss and as in the case of mad cow disease, human health issues including death. Penalties for feeding swill include heavy fines in excess of $1000 and jail times. For any further information on swill and any stock feeding regimes, contact your local DAFWA offices.

NLIS COMPLIANCE IN THE RANGELANDS

Matthew Bullard, Broome

The importance of full adherence to the regulations governing the movement of cattle around the Northern Rangelands, including National Livestock Identification System (NLIS) compliance, can not be overstated. All of our exports are reliant on these requirements to show that there is full traceability of cattle within our industry. Any individual animal must be traceable from its origin (place of birth) for its entire life. All cattle consigned from a property must be fitted with an NLIS electronic device and be registered to the PIC of consignment. There is an exemption for home-bred animals which may be fitted with transaction ear tags, and be consigned DIRECT from PIC of birth to an export depot for the sole purpose of live export. Movement between export facilities and from export facilities to another location, DO require cattle to be fitted with an NLIS electronic device.

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It is likely that proof of adherence to these requirements will fall on the property and livestock owner, that is, it will be up to the owner to be able to provide the proof that his cattle and property are fully compliant, keeping clear and accurate records of all cattle movements and individual cattle circumstance. The obvious means of providing this evidence is through the use of NLIS electronic devices and timely updating of the NLIS national database. Any non-compliance or irregularities in the identification and movement of cattle will not only jeopardise the individual producer and properties involved, but also put at risk adjacent properties, if not the entire cattle industry of the Rangelands, affecting both current and future export markets. It is important to understand that these specifications and requirements are set by our trading partners and are part of an international set of standards. To keep our pristine international export status, we must abide by their rules. Any queries associated with stock identification and movement may be directed to your nearest DAFWA office.

NEW BIOSECURITY OFFICER IN KARRATHA

Hello My name is Leana Wrobel. I have recently taken on the position of Biosecurity Officer in the Karratha office as part of the invasive species program. This program aims to minimise the effect of invasive species on the Pilbara pastoral industry, the environment and the community. In addition to my involvement in invasive species issues, I am currently assisting with the organisation of the wild dog baiting program to be conducted in the Pilbara during September. I am looking forward to getting out there, meeting pastoralists and seeing plenty of the Pilbara during this program. My previous role was based on Kangaroo Island, South Australia as a koala field officer for DEC. This involved climbing many a tree and catching koalas for a sterilisation program. This program is being implemented due to the over- population of ‘bears’ on the island. They are literally ‘flogging out’ their preferred trees by overgrazing. Sound familiar? I am enjoying working and living in the Pilbara and look forward to the challenges that this new role will bring. I am particularly looking forward to meeting pastoralists and working with them and others to identify and manage invasive species issues and taking the opportunity to explore the Pilbara region.

My contact details are: Leana Wrobel PO Box 1618, Karratha WA 6714 Phone: 9143 7004 Email: [email protected]

http://www.agric.wa.gov.au 21 PASTORAL MEMO – NORTHERN PASTORAL REGION SEPTEMBER 2008

BUSH NURSE: GOUT—WHAT IS IT?

Joy Motter, Bulka station

It is a common and painful condition that affects the joints. It occurs most often in middle age but may begin at any age with the ratio of male to females being about 19:1. It tends to run in families. Small crystals form in and around the joint, causing inflammation, pain and swelling. The crystals are made of a waste product called uric acid and are normally excreted through the kidneys. Gout is diagnosed by finding crystals of uric acid in fluid taken from your joint and blood tests for uric acid levels. THE SYMPTOMS of an attack of gout usually come on very quickly, often overnight. The joint becomes red, swollen, very painful and intensely sore to touch. It usually occurs in one joint at a time, the most common site being the big toe. THE CAUSES are your body not flushing the uric acid out of your kidneys fast enough. FACTORS THOUGHT to play a role in getting gout are: • drinking alcohol and especially binge drinking • dehydration • overeating and being overweight • crash dieting or fasting • eating certain foods. The foods that MAY trigger gout belong to the Purine group, e.g. liver, offal, shellfish, scallops, mussels, herring, mackerel, sardines, anchovies and beer. A GOUT ATTACK, without treatment, will usually last about a week. Another attack may not happen for months or even years. DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT: You should see your doctor for a proper diagnosis. The doctor will recommend certain medications such as anti-inflammatories, which are taken when a painful episode occurs . Gout medication taken daily as a maintenance dose will help prevent further attacks and protect other joints. This medicine needs to be taken every day whether you have an attack or not—and usually for the rest of your life. You should talk to your doctor or a dietician about the best diet for your overall health.

UNTREATED GOUT CAN CAUSE PERMANENT DAMAGE TO THE JOINTS. LEARN WAYS TO PREVENT AN ATTACK OF GOUT. ‘Gout above the shoulders in a politician is a pain in the butt for the population.’

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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.

22 http://www.agric.wa.gov.au PASTORAL MEMO – NORTHERN PASTORAL REGION SEPTEMBER 2008

PGA KIMBERLEY DIVISION

The PGA cordially invites all PGA Kimberley Division members for the Annual General Meeting of the above at: The Mangrove Hotel Friday, 24 October starting at 10 am

PGA ANNUAL BULL AND COMMERCIAL HEIFER SALE

The PGA Annual Bull and Commercial Heifer Sale was held at the Fitzroy Crossing Rodeo Ground on Friday, 22 August, followed by the Cattleman’s Dinner at that evening. The crowd was made up of buyers from far and wide, with the , Pilbara and Kimberley areas each represented. Many folks left impressed with the quality of cattle on display. Top prices by category were: Red Brahman: $5750 Sold to Warren Schmidt of Cooralya Station. Grey Brahman: $6500 Sold to Peter Camp of Charnley River Station. Charbray: $3250 Sold to Brett Hopkinson of Hill Springs Station. Droughtmaster: $4000 Sold to Keith Anderson of Jubilee Downs Station. The average price per beast was $2544, which is a fraction down from last year’s average of $2600. The PGA Kimberley Division would like to express our sincere gratitude to the Harris family and the staff of Gogo Station for hosting a magnificent Cattleman’s Dinner. The PGA looks forward to next year’s PGA Kimberley Division Bull Sale. Thank you to FarmWorks as conducting agents of the sale, and all other sponsors of the event. http://www.agric.wa.gov.au 23 PASTORAL MEMO – NORTHERN PASTORAL REGION SEPTEMBER 2008

CATTLE MARKET UPDATE—22 SEPTEMBER 2008

Export numbers (Northern Ports 2008) • 23 379 head of cattle left the Broome Port between June and 24 August 2008 (numbers were unavailable at the time of print for boats leaving in the last week of August) • 22 904 head of cattle left the Wyndham Port between June and the end of August in 2008 • 3886 head of cattle left the Port Hedland Port between June and 24 August 2008 (numbers were unavailable at the time of print for boats leaving in the last week of August)

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