Northern muster Information for rural business in North Queensland In this edition Spyglass Research 20 Welcome 21 2013 Cattle Market 22 Drought Support 23 Stress Management 24 Grazing BMP 25 Around the Northern Gulf 26 Around the Southern Gulf 27 Meat Matters 28 Beef Challenges 29 Issue 33 December 2013 Spotlight on Beetaloo St 30 1622572 futurebeef.com.au 12 December 2013 NQR | FUTURE BEEF NORTHERN MUSTER 19 In a preliminary study led by Geoffry Fordyce of QAAFI, newborn Brahman calves were dehydrated over three days. This study provided a way to objectively measure the degree of dehydration. These techniques require further development for use in systematic research under extensive grazing A range of research conditions. The experiment showed that newborn calves experiencing milk depravation lose an average of 7pc of live weight daily under comfortable condi- tions (20 degrees Celsius), but twice this when maxi- mum temperatures are in the vicinity of 40 degrees Celsius. It also showed that when calves lose 15pc of their live weight, which is equivalent to 20pc dehydration, projects in the pipeline in as little as one to three days under tropical condi- tions, some calves are unable to recover without intervention. A recent study by QDAFF scientist, Jarud Muller, Spyglass Beef Research Facility focused more on milk supply in the fi rst week of life. The aim of the study was to measure normal SEVERAL research projects are under way on Spyglass to provide improved property mapping and long-term ing and breeding enterprises in north Queensland. variation in milk production and delivery in newly- Beef Research Facility, including tracking Chital deer carrying capacity information to assist in grazing land However, many areas have few, or no, well-adapted calved Brahman cows, and whether this is possible to in an effort to assist in management plans, management decision-making. grasses or legumes and recently developed cultivars measure using a range of indirect measures. establishing monitoring sites in the process to Five monitoring sites have been established on have not been comparatively assessed across a range This is complex research as direct measurement improve long-term carrying capacity information, the more common land types that occur on Spyglass. of land types. of milk supply is not possible at present under range developing better pasture species, and calf hydration The sites cover a range of productivity from the most Over the next fi ve years, QDAFF FutureBeef pasture conditions. Indirect measures included a range of calf trials to understand reasons for calf mortality. productive Loamy alluvials, Box and Narrow-leaved research and beef extension staff, partnering with measures including weight, udder and teat measures, and behavioural observations (such as evidence CHITAL DEER PROJECT Ironbark through to low productivity Box and Narrow- MLA, seek to compare the persistence and productivity leaved Ironbark. of a range of new pasture plants with older cultivars. of sucking). Analyses of the data have not been BIOSECURITY Queensland (BQ), with the assistance Over the next two years, tree cover, rainfall, pasture Comparison is to be conducted on a range of soil completed so no results are currently available. of the University of Queensland, is leading a pilot and soil measurements collected from the fenced types and rainfall environments in northern and central study to measure movement patterns and habitat use EFFECTS OF NITROGEN DYNAMICS ON sites will be used to calibrate the GRASP pasture and Queensland, targeting improved nutrition of younger of Chital deer. To date, minimal research has been PASTURE AVAILABILITY AND QUALITY animal growth model. With improved estimates of livestock. ‘Spyglass’ is being used to represent red conducted on these species in North Queensland. NITROGEN and water are the key limiting factors for pasture productivity for each paddock on Spyglass, earths in the Burdekin catchment. Key genera include: Chital deer are a declared Class Two pest as they have pasture and animal production in northern Australia. stocking rates and long term carrying capacities can be (legumes) Centrosema, Chamaecrista, Clitoria, adverse economic impacts on graziers through the Nitrogen dynamics are strongly affected by rainfall. determined, a range of grazing management options Desmanthus, Leucaena, Macroptilium, Stylosanthes; eating of substantial amounts of pasture. Low nitrogen availability (and low animal produc- can be explored and the fi nancial implications of these (grasses) Bothriochloa, Brachiaria, Chloris, In August 2013, fi ve adult Chital deer on Spyglass tion) often follows big wet seasons which cause nitro- options can be determined. Dichanthium, Digitaria, Heteropogon, Panicum, were fi tted with GPS collars (two female, three male). gen dilution. The opposite can occur following years of Urochloa. The collars will be on the animals for approximately drought, which leads to high nitrogen availability (and The project is in its infancy. To date, the project six months. A key outcome so far is that success- high animal production) in response to a build up in team, generously supported by beef producers, have ful dosage rates and methods for darting of Chital available soil nitrogen. identifi ed nine properties in the Northern and Southern have been established. The information collected on In order to test the effects of the amount of rainfall Gulf and Burdekin grazing districts, defi ned sites ranging behaviour (particularly habitat use) drinking in one year on the nitrogen availability in the second considered representative of the land type, installed frequency and ranging area, will help in developing year, the amount of rainfall was manipulated in small stock/kangaroo fences at fi ve (including Spyglass) and management plans, including control measures, for plots at Spyglass. made arrangements for the completion of the others. the species. Seed for sowing has been sourced and testing begun to determine sowing rates. The project is a collaborative effort between QDAFF research scientists Kendrick Cox, Mark Keating and QDAFF scientist, Lester Pahl, ensuring no animals will Steven Dayes and FutureBeef extension staff Joe Rolfe, graze this monitoring site established on Spyglass. Bernie English and Emma Hegarty. CALF DEHYDRATION THE Cash Cow project, and others, has shown calf loss between confi rmed pregnancy and weaning to be A rainout shelter is being used to simulate the effect of as high as 40 percent, and consistently between 10pc drought by reducing the amount of rain falling to the and 20pc in some areas of north Australia. Obvious ground by 25 percent. effects on profi tability occur. Previous research shows ‘Drought’ was achieved by building rainout shelters the greatest loss occurring within a week of birth. that reduce the amount of rain falling on the ground A collared Chital stag on Spyglass Research Station is The Cash Cow project showed most losses are and ‘wet’ season was achieved using special irrigation. being used to measure movement patterns and habitat associated with nutritional and environmental factors, use of Chital deer. Soil and plants are being collected. with occasional signifi cant loss due to diseases like The results of this study will help incorporate the Pestivirus. It is plausible that a high proportion of Outcomes of this work will determine if funding QDAFF scientists, Chris Holloway and Lester Pahl, nitrogen dynamics and its effect on pasture availability elevated losses in north Australia is associated with should be sought to further the study. If so, this could establishing a monitoring site on Spyglass where over and quality into existing animal production models. the next two years scientists will measure rainfall, poor calf hydration and/or vigour, and that this may be involve requesting collaring deer on properties in the This will enable to increase animal production while collect soil samples, and cut pasture from different as much a problem with the cow as the calf. vicinity of Spyglass. quadrats within the wooden stake layout. maintaining land conditions. This project is being led Two experiments have been undertaken at by Moran Segoli of CSIRO: 0498 538 788, moran. MAPPING AND MODELLING OF LAND TYPES Spyglass to investigate calf hydration. [email protected]. A NEW project is underway on Spyglass, lead by DEVELOPMENT OF NEW PASTURES These studies will provide the basis for conducting Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and THE use of sown tropical grasses and legumes can further research that will hopefully lead to practical Angela Anderson, Spyglass Research Station, Forestry (QDAFF) scientist Giselle Whish, which aims signifi cantly increase the productivity of beef grow- solutions in the future. (07) 4091 8181, [email protected] A fresh new way to do your rural business GEORGE WATKIN MOBILE: 0419 728 814 Our aim is to give you the EMAIL [email protected] best service and competitive prices JODIE STOCKHAM MOBILE 0428 398 020 EMAIL with Rural Merchandise [email protected] TOWNSVILLE HUGHENDEN PHONE (07) 4779 8799 PHONE (07) 4741 1974 383-385 WOOLCOCK ST 23-27 STANSFIELD ST (NEXT TO ZOO HEALTH & FITNESS) 1622137 20 NQR | FUTURE BEEF NORTHERN MUSTER 12 December 2013 futurebeef.com.au Negotiation checklist Co-existence agreements A PRACTICAL checklist has been developed to help landowners negotiate co-existence agreements with Welcome to summer! mining companies and other third parties. The checklist is part of a Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) research Summer 2013 Northern muster All claims must be submitted within six report titled Principles for Negotiating Appropriate months of the date of purchase for water Co-existence Arrangements for Agricultural Land- THERE has been storm activity across the north infrastructure and/or within six months of the in late November and early December with holders. It was commissioned by industry peak bodies date of movement for freight subsidies. There and co-funded by Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA). some individual falls recorded in excess of will be no tolerance given to late claims.