Beef and Sheep Networks – Newsflash
Issue date – 16.12.2011
BESTWOOL / BESTLAMB
This Newsflash email is funded by Australian Wool Innovation and Department of Primary Industries.
Contact details for BWBL
Lyndon Kubeil, Manager BWBL (03) 5761 1649
Wendy Paglia, BWBL Project Support Officer (03) 5731 1206
email: wendy.paglia@dpi.vic.gov.au
AWI Newsletters
Check out the latest information with the AWI Newsletter November or the AWI Networks News Editions AWI - AWI grower networks
Digital Edition Newsletters
Check out and download the latest digital editions from the Kondinin Group website: Farming Ahead, Research Report and Ag in Focus. Read more at Farming ahead.
Sheep Enter Genomic Era
The Australian Sheep Industry has entered the genomics era for sheep improvement in Australia. This bold statement is based on a number of developments:
- Additional data from the Information Nucleus program during the last six months has had a significant impact on the accuracy of genomic predictions of breeding values. Importantly, the improvements are progressing as planned and provide the best indication to date that we are ‘on track’ with this new technology.
- There are now a number of traits of economic and practical importance that rely on genomic predictions and for which useful accuracies are developing. These traits include predictions for horn-poll, dressing percentage, lean meat yield and intramuscular fat.
- New and improved genomic predictions have a useful and widespread impact as soon as they become available. This is due to the the numbers of rams now genotyped in the Australian sheep flock through the Information Nucleus Program, the two genomic pilot projects and industry sires used for validation. A good example of this is information on horn-poll status of all Merino rams genotyped to date.
- Further improvements in accuracy are on the way and will build further value. Information Nucleus data will continue to accumulate over the next two years and will contribute to improved accuracy.
To read more visit the CRC website: Sheep enter Genomic Era
Optimising Lamb Yield and Eating Quality
Advances in DNA breeding technologies are creating tools to safeguard Australian lamb and sheepmeat’s reputation for consumer satisfaction by enabling producers and processors to optimise production efficiency while still maintaining eating quality.
MLA’s Manager Strategic Program Development and Evaluation Rob Banks said the average Australian lamb is now heavier and leaner than before, but warned against increasing yield without maintaining eating quality.
Dr Banks said producers would be able to use new DNA breeding values for eating quality traits to balance selection for yield and to mitigate any such potential losses.
“The industry is currently increasing yield by approximately 0.25% per year and we can expect this rate of gain to double. New breeding values to increase yield by approximately 0.5% per year based on DNA testing are set to be rolled out within the next 12 months,” he said.
“But the threat in selecting for higher yielding lambs is that consumer satisfaction scores can conversely drop, as a heavy emphasis on lean meat yield has a direct negative impact on the tenderness of meat.”
“We now have the tools to more rapidly and accurately select the sires that are good for yield and at the same time can maintain or improve product quality,” he said.
Dr Banks said producers could use DNA breeding values for previously hard-to-measure eating quality traits - such as intramuscular fat and shear force - to ensure vital consumer lamb quality attributes such as tenderness and taste are retained or improved.
A new phase of work is now underway to bring producers, processors and retailers together to ensure the use of these new genetic tools on farm can translate to continued benefits across the supply chain and back to the consumer.
Further work is also being done to provide sheep breeders with tools that ensure the quality attributes of lamb continue to meet consumer expectations, with new breeding values for omega-3, iron and zinc.
The research work underpinning this development is carried out through the Sheep CRC, working closely with Sheep Genetics, and building on the earlier MLA-AWI Sheep Genomics R&D program.
Media Release 10th November - Optimising lamb yield and eating quality | Meat & Livestock Australia
Belinda Roseby, MLA Media Affairs Manager, ph. 02 9463 9269.
Intensive Sheep and Lamb Feeding Systems Guidelines
Comprehensive national guidelines and checklists are available to help producers set up and manage best practice intensive sheep feeding facilities.
The second edition of the National Procedures and Guidelines for Intensive Sheep and Lamb Feeding Systems includes important updates for intensive shed-feeding systems and new chapters about feed and water.
New checklists
A new set of checklists accompanies the revised guidelines, allowing producers to benchmark their operation against the national guidelines and identify potential areas for improvement.
The Planning and Management Checklists cover essential aspects of designing, developing and managing different intensive feeding systems, including outdoor operations, shedded feeding systems and containment areas.
The checklists can be used for all breeds of sheep anywhere in Australia. Topics include:
- Approval process and planning
- Construction and establishment
- Personnel
- Commencing operations
- Bi-annual reviews
- Daily tasks
- Specific regimes for induction and selling stock
- Buying in feed
Producers can benchmark their own operation against the guidelines and identify areas for improvement.
Download the National Procedures and Guidelines for Intensive Sheep and Lamb Feeding Systems
Intensive sheep and lamb feeding systems guidelines | Meat & Livestock Australia
Media Release 9th December: Hamish Dickson, Ph: 08 8344 8816, Email: Hamish@productivenutrition.com.au
Woolgrowers Help Launch New Chinese Luxury TV series
Australian woolgrowers have starred at the Shanghai launch of the latest Chinese television series “Beauty Mission”, highlighting the luxurious nature of Merino wool in womens wear.
Tasmanian woolgrowers Julian von Bibra and Matt Dunbabin and West Australian Bindi Murray joined designers from six leading Chinese fashion brands to celebrate the launch of the six part documentary series.
Filmed across various properties in NSW, Tasmania and WA, the documentary series traces the journey taken by ten designers who draw inspiration from the landscape, people and animals behind Australian Merino wool.
Representing 900 points of sale, the leading brands Exception, Icicle, Zukka, Eachway, White Collar and JNBY have agreed to increase their wool consumption in year one by five per cent and 30 per cent in year two.
The documentary screening on the China Business Network will reach over 60 million Chinese viewers initially. Watch the preview on the Woolmark Youtube channel.
Tasmanian woolgrower Matt Dunbabin enjoyed the opportunity to be involved. "We appreciate the opportunity to tell the story of the Australian wool industry to a market as vital as China. Seeing the designers take inspiration from their visit to our farms has been a wonderful experience."
AWI's General Manager for Global Business Development Sam Guthrie added the “Beauty Mission” series combined the origins of the natural fibre with the new sophisticated luxury market for women in China. "The mission of the six participating brands was to create a collection of garments for a group of female Chinese celebrities, famous for their success in business, media and the arts. Being successful, sophisticated and well educated, the collections needed to be of premium quality, a perfect fit for Australian Merino wool."
The style of the TV series is fast paced and fun, but also educational. While visiting various wool properties the designers take part in everyday activities such as mustering, classing and drafting sheep.
AWI Media Release 6th December
BetterBeef Network:
This Newsflash email is funded by Meat and Livestock Australia and Department of Primary Industries.
Contact details BetterBeef:
Dougal Purcell, BBN Project Leader, Email: dougal.purcell@dpi.vic.gov.au (03) 5336 6794
Cheriel Tidd, BBN Project Officer, Email: cheriel.tidd@dpi.vic.gov.au (02) 6030 4521
Tech Note: Paradise for Parasites
Various factors are setting the scene for a ‘paradise for internal parasites’. These include:
- mild to warm temperatures
- high levels of ground cover
- continued high moisture levels in the air, soil and any parts of your property with standing water (inundated paddocks, swamps & marshes).
Beef producers (i.e. cow/calf enterprises) need to ensure they have an integrated management plan to prevent infestations of gastrointestinal and liver parasites continuing through summer and into autumn. Gastrointestinal parasites are responsible for losses and extra costs to beef producers in southern Australia of just under $40 million^, Ostertagia species (brown stomach worm) are responsible for most worm related production losses in cattle in south-eastern Australia.
An integrated parasite management plan will achieve the best results. How well you are doing the following will influence how effective your parasite control program will be. Your strategy should include:
- Grazing management aimed at ensuring younger, less resistant and more vulnerable stock have access to ‘worm safe’ pastures with low egg & larvae populations. Resistance to internal parasites in cattle occurs at 20-24 months of age. Interchanging sheep and cattle onto paddocks is also effective.
- Strategic use of carefully selected drenches, combined monitoring including faecal worm egg counts (WEC) in susceptible animals, such as cattle younger than twelve months or animals under stress situations, ie nutritional challenges.
- Practicing good farm biosecurity aimed at preventing introduction of parasites into your property (eg ‘quarantine drenching), as well as from one paddock to another.
- Knowledge of parasites likely to be a problem in your local area and their life cycles.
- Ensuring your time of calving is appropriate for the parasite risk in your area.
- Understanding how to use WEC effectively
Waiting for signs of parasitic infection is not the best approach. By the time the signs are observed, production losses are occurring.
We often hope for periods of hot and dry weather over summer to reduce egg and infective larvae populations on paddocks to levels which do not adversely affect production in livestock. Without an integrated parasite control program featuring good grazing management with strategic drenching you may be setting up your herd for parasite related production losses going into next autumn. Consider two summer drenches for young stock, as well as any older animals showing signs of infestation.
Consult your animal health advisor for further information.
Source: Assessing the economic cost of endemic disease on the profitability of Australian beef cattle and sheep producers, MLA 2006).
Useful Webites
Meat and Livestock Australia
http://www.mla.com.au
Victorian Dept of Primary Industries
http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/agriculture/pests-diseases-and-weeds/animal-diseases/beef-and-dairy-cows/ostertagia-in-cattle
Author Contact Details:
Darren Hickey. Livestock Industry Development Officer. DPI Bairnsdale. 03 5152 0496.
Budgeting, a 'dry topic' but very valuable
The Mudgegonga BetterBeef group has been considering costs of production. Producers previously took opportunity to explore their Profit & Loss (P&L) statements to better understand and compare overhead costs in their enterprises.
In a recent meeting, Tony Shirley (Goulburn Murray Hume Agcare Inc.) broadened discussions to the aspect of budgeting. For a number of producers, forward budgeting is often overlooked; possibly because it is seen as a 'dry topic' or as having little relevance or value to day-to-day operations.
Through the Mudgegonga BetterBeef discussions, the following points were made:
- Budgets should be ‘owned’ and reviewed by the producer; assist in running the business, and provide a basis for communication with the accountant and banks.
- Good money is spent preparing P&L statements. Use the P&L as a basis for preparing budgets.
- A budget won’t solve all financial problems but can act as an early warning system.
- Learn about the costs and explore options in using available funds efficiently.
- Budgets enable capital investment to be prioritised and used strategically e.g. for the reduction of debt, livestock purchase, genetic improvement, pasture renovation and so on.
- There are always season and market risks in farming. A budget assists to manage risk.
- Annual budgets for larger farms should be reviewed monthly, quarterly for smaller farms.
- Consider planning for short term (1 year), medium term (2-5 years) and long term (>5 years) farm and personal goals.
Income streams in beef enterprises are often limited to coming from one to three market points. It is important income is allocated and planned to be used efficiently to support a sustainable beef enterprise.
For more information contact:
Greg Ferrier
Beef Industry Development Officer
DPI - Rutherglen
Phone: 02 6030 4609
Mobile: 0438 738 634
Email: greg.ferrier@dpi.vic.gov.au
BetterBeef Newsletter
The BetterBeef team are currently working on publishing the inargural hard copy newsletter. The newsletter to be published twice yearly will complement the existing newsflash distributed fortnightly.
The initial newsletter will provide an update on BetterBeef and the linkages with MLA's More Beef from Pastures program. Current research coming out of the Beef CRC will be included along with other relevant and current technical articles on beef production.
The newsletter will also introduce two of our highly expereinced group coordinators along with one of the More Beef from Pastures producer advocates. Importantly the newsletter will keep members informed of upcoming regional Better Beef network events and new groups starting across the state. It is anticipated the newsletter will be posted out early in 2012 - look out for it in your mailbox!
FREE: Phone Seminar – ‘Bull Selection’
In the lead up to 2012 Autumn Beef Week (27 January - 3 February 2012) the next BetterBeef phone seminar topic will be ‘Bull Selection’.
Recently we have had requests to run an evening seminar and we will be trialling this seminar as our first evening seminar commencing at 8pm.
Date and Time
24 January 2012, commencing 8pm (duration one hour).
Cost
Free (unless you call in from a mobile or payphone).
Registration
To participate in this phone seminar you must register by calling 02 6030 4521.
Presenter
Dick Whale, Private Consultant.
Dick consults to many of Australia’s leading seed stock businesses. He is an industry leader in live animal assessment, designing and implementing breeding programs and sourcing global genetics.
Dick is highly respected within the Australian and overseas beef industries for his technical knowledge and beef cattle expertise.
Content
Bull selection is a significant decision in any beef cattle enterprise. An incorrect selection may reduce:
- the number of live calves on the ground
- the ability of those calves to grow out to a market specification
- the ongoing fertility and production potential of your breeding herd
- the performance of your cattle throughout each segment of the supply chain.
This seminar will revisit some of the fundamental considerations when selecting a bull for your herd.
There will be an opportunity during the presentation to answer questions.
BetterBeef Network Phone Seminars
These phone seminars are held in collaboration with MLAs More Beef from Pastures program. These seminars are an excellent way for you to tap into the latest industry information from the comfort of your own home.
Accredited Training Opportunities – 2012
Breeders for Profit Course in Gippsland
Expressions of interest are sought from beef producers with an interest in undertaking the Breeders for Profit course during 2012. Breeders for Profit is a three session course held on farm that assists producers make more informed management decisions to increase herd productivity and efficiency.
For more information contact Claire Geri, DPI Leongatha on 03 5662 9908.
Practical Beef Marketing Courses in Gippsland and the South West
Beef producers in Gippland and South West Victoria have an opportunity to complete the Practical Beef Marketing course. Practical Beef Marketing develops participants marketing and live animal assessment skills during eight one day sessions held on farm. Courses start during February and March 2012.
For more information contact Maria Crawford, DPI Hamilton on 03 5573 0749 or Fiona Baker, DPI Ellinbank on 03 5624 2234.
BeefCheque Year 1 group for the North East
As the name suggests, the BeefCheque program is all about growing more grass, utilising more grass, producing more beef and ultimately increasing profitability. The program is run over eight hands-on sessions per year for three consecutive years. Each session incorporates on-farm and theory components. This invaluable program delves into the interaction between pasture and livestock, and the principles behind improving the management of both.
For More information contact Greg Ferrier, DPI Rugherglen on 02 6030 4609.
Strengthening Australia's ability to combat FMD
Media Release: DAFF11/030D
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has released a review of Australia’s ability to manage to an outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD).
The report – A review of Australia’s preparedness for the threat of foot–and–mouth disease – was commissioned by the department and completed by former department Secretary, Ken Matthews AO.
DAFF Deputy Secretary, Rona Mellor, said Australia has been free of foot and mouth disease for more than 100 years but it is still by far the most significant biosecurity threat to Australia’s livestock industries.
“The Matthews report recognises Australia’s strong record in protecting Australia from an outbreak of FMD and identifies 11 ways to further strengthen its biosecurity system,” Ms Mellor said.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig, has written to his state and territory counterparts seeking their commitment to work together to develop a strengthened approach, particularly in the areas of vaccination policy, sheep traceability and swill feeding.
“The Australian Government is strengthening its emergency management planning and planning for community recovery in the event of an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Australia,” Ms Mellor said.
“Key livestock industry bodies have been invited to form an Industry–Government Working Group which will meet in December 2011 to assist in developing and implementing action plans to address the issues raised in Mr Matthews’ report.”
Australian Government and state and territory senior biosecurity officials are also working together to develop a national action plan to be considered by ministers in April 2012.
Australia’s biosecurity system is recognised worldwide as strong, bringing benefits to the economy, environment and way of life.
Australia remains free of many significant pests and diseases which enables globally competitive and sustainable industries.
A copy of the Matthews report can be found on the DAFF website.
More information about FMD
Market News
Dearer prices in lead up to end of year
There was strong demand from all sectors for cattle across MLA’s NLRS reported physical markets this week, resulting in a dearer price trend across most sales.
To find out more read MLA Market News.
Cattle supply ramps up
National cattle throughput at the physical markets reported by MLA’s NLRS rebounded, with the positive trend evident across all states. Supplies were 13 per cent higher, with producers showing strong intentions to sell cattle while prices are strong.
To find out more read MLA Market News.
Cattle temperament affects productivity
Media Release: MLA
Animal Temperament – and how best to measure it – is sometimes misunderstood in the cattle sector according to Rockhampton-based animal behaviourist, Carol Petherick, of the University of Queensland.
To find out more read Red Meat Industry News.
Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Cattle
The ‘Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Cattle’ are part of a series of projects to develop livestock welfare standards and guidelines.
The standards and guidelines for cattle will be refined from the Model Code of Practice for the welfare of animals (MCOP) and will apply to all people responsible for the care and management of cattle.
‘The Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Cattle’ will follow the principles described in the revised Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines Development Business Plan.
The cattle writing group is responsible for drafting the standards and guidelines for cattle. It is comprised of representatives from Animal Welfare Committee (AWC), Cattle Council of Australia (CCA), Australian Lot Feeders` Association Inc (ALFA), Dairy Australia, CSIRO and DAFF. The group is led by an independent Chair and supported by Animal Health Australia (AHA).
The cattle reference group is comprised of representatives from all aspects of cattle care and management. Cattle reference group meetings are held to review the standards and guidelines draft and to provide further guidance. A 90 day public consultation period is part of the process.
For more information read the ‘The Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for Cattle’
Beef and Sheep News:
LAST NEWSFLASH FOR 2011
Thank you for reading the Beef and Sheep Networks Newsflash, we have enjoyed compiling it and look forward to brining you more information in 2012.
We hope the information you have received has been informative and interesting. Our aim has been to provide you with access to the latest beef and sheep research messages and to keep you informed of opportunities to participate in industry activities.
We would like to remind you that the newsflash is free of charge and available to anyone with an interest in the Victorian beef and sheep industry.
The Newsflash will cease publication over the Christmas and New Year period. The next newsflash will be distributed on 27 January 2012.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and safe, prosperous New Year.
The Beef and Sheep Networks TeamAustralia, China continue agricultural partnership
Media Release DAFF11/267L
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig, has announced six successful Australian applicants for a prestigious Australia-China exchange program during talks in Beijing yesterday with his counterpart, Chinese Minister for Agriculture, Han Changfu.
Six delegations from Australia and six delegations from China will make reciprocal country visits between 1 January 2012 and 30 June 2013 under the 2012-13 Australia-China Agricultural Cooperation Agreement (ACACA) funding round.
Minister Ludwig said the program enabled the two countries to continue to share agricultural expertise.
To read the full media release click here
Tips for hiring and keeping good staff
Providing good lifestyle benefits, financial security and good people management are critical to attracting and retaining staff in the livestock industry.
That's the key finding of an important national study which considered the problems of securing skilled and stable employees in the livestock industry.
A series of five factsheets have been published to provide employers of different sizes with information on how to attract, motivate and reain staff in the northern beef, southern beef, sheepmeat and pastoral industries.
MLA and Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) commissioned the study as a response to the current gaps in both the understanding and solutions to the problems of securing a skilled and stable labour force.
- Read Attracting and retaining staff in the southern beef, sheepmeat and pastoral livestock industries
- Read Attracting and retaining staff in the northern beef industry
- Read Attracting and retaining staff in the pastoral livestock industry - large-scale employers
- Read Attracting and retaining staff in the pastoral livestock industry - medium-sized employers
- Read Attracting and retaining staff in the pastoral livestock industry - small employers
To find out more read the MLA Industry News Link
Processing Technologies Closer to Commercialisation
Strategic research and development partnerships supported through the MLA Donor Company (MDC) are about to pay dividends with three scientific advances nearing commercial reality.
HookAssist, SmartShape and SaniVac represent some of the latest technologies available to the beef, lamb and sheepmeat industries developed through a combination of commercial, processor and government funds, without the assistance of producer levies. The MDC is a wholly owned subsidiary of MLA that attracts commercial investment for projects and matches it with Government R&D funds. It plays a significant role in improving red meat industries’ technological progress and international edge.
HookAssist - This manual assist device designed for beef carcases is being trialled at the JBS Australia plant in Brooklyn and is expected to progress into the commercial phase next year. HookAssist is more flexible and sophisticated than the similar and already available RTL Beef Boning Unit, and its commercialiser believes it can be used for a larger variety of boning tasks.
The device has the potential to improve working conditions, reduce injuries, increase the potential labour pool, reduce staff turnover, make large yield gains and in, some cases, increase chain speeds.
Find out more about HookAssist
SmartShape is a unique invention that literally shapes red meat into a log by stretching and then placing the meat into a round plastic package. After 12 hours or more in the stretched package, the meat maintains its round shape even without the plastic. Taste and tenderness remain unaffected by the process. A commercial prototype of SmartShape, which costs about $85,000, is being used in a full production environment at one of Cargill Beef’s NSW processing plants. The technology offers advantages such as better portion control, less waste, uniform presentation, consistent cooking time and the ability to create new products, such as a rotisserie roast from topside. Foodservice, airline catering and aged care sectors have shown interest in the product, as well as possible use at retail.
Find out more about SmartShape
SaniVac – also known as Vac San – is a robotic system for sterilising either the forequarter or hindquarter of a sheep, lamb or goat. Commercially operational in Australia since August 2008, there have been three SaniVac installations in Australia, with a preliminary cost-benefit analysis that shows a pay-back period for a two-shift processor plant at around 1.9 years.
Find out more about the SaniVac.
For more information contact Skye Richmond, MLA Ph: 02 9463 9213 Email: srichmond@mla.com.au
Popular Insecticide Now Off the Market
Pome, citrus and stone fruit growers have until 26 July 2013 to use existing stocks of products containing parathion-methyl following the voluntary cancellation of its registration by the registrant. This was due to health risks posed to workers and concerns over its toxicity to bees.
Following the request the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) cancelled the registration of all parathion-methyl products available for use in Australia.
Preparing Victorians for the Mosquito Season
The Department of Health has issued a warning to those in northern Victoria to take precautions against mosquito-borne infections, such as Ross River fever.
Recent heavy rainfall across the state has led to ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes. Current and predicted weather conditions, particularly in the northern part of the state, suggest that the high mosquito count will continue well into the summer months. The best option is to prevent mosquito bites. Wearing long sleeves, loose-fitting clothing, applying repellant and avoiding being outside at dawn and dusk can help.
Further information can be sourced from the Department of Health website or Avoid getting bitten by mosquitoes (PDF).
Online advice for spraying farm chemicals effectively
DPI has released two new videos developed to help chemical users manage risks associated with spraying agricultural chemicals.
Two new videos developed to help chemical users manage risks associated with spraying agricultural chemicals will be available online from today.
Produced by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI), Spray risk management and Boom sprayer management explain the main factors involved in spray risk management and guide viewers through setting up a boom sprayer correctly and how to minimise off-target drift.
Chemical use experts provide an overview of spray risk management and explain how to prepare for a successful spray job.
drumMUSTER Container Rinsing Guide
Proper rinsing and cleaning are the first steps in the safe disposal and recycling of empty agricultural and veterinary chemical containers. Clean containers are essential for meeting occupational health and safety standards for the recycling process. Under current regulations in most states, containers that have not been properly rinsed can be classified as ‘hazardous waste’.
Rinsing guidelines
Rinse your containers until they are free of any chemical residue by:
• Partially filling the container with clean water, replacing the cap and shaking vigorously
• Pour the rinse water back into the spray tank. Repeat until the container is free of any chemical residue
- Alternatively, pressure rinse the container through a granny pot, rinsing bin or similar device until free of any chemical residue.
Remember to:
• Clean any chemical residue from the outside of the container
• Remove the cap to allow the container to dry
• Puncture metal containers to allow them to vent
• Store cleaned containers in a sheltered place with caps removed, where they will remain clean and dry until they can be taken to a drumMUSTER collection site
Dirt and dye stains are acceptable. Rinsing makes good economic sense - If containers are cleaned thoroughly, you know you have received all the value from your purchased product. Any chemical left behind is a loss.
Below is a chart that outlines the potential loss at three different costs per litre.
| Amount of residue | Loss at $20.00/litre | Loss at $30.00/litre | Loss at $50.00/litre |
| 150 mL | $3.00 | $4.00 | $7.00 |
| 300 mL | $6.00 | $9.00 | $15.00 |
| 500 mL | $10.00 | $15.00 | $25.00 |
New Prototype Baiting Technique to Power up Wild Dog Control
A new prototype baiting technique to control wild dogs and foxes is being tested and refined to offer a more durable, longer lasting alternative to current options for predator control in Australia. The prototype is a multi-dose ejector (MDE) system, designed, built and patented by Frank Gigliotti of General Dogs Body – R&D technical services. The prototype has just received funding from MLA to ensure the mechanism is independently assessed to work accurately and efficiently. Mr Gigliotti explained that the device aims to address the shortcomings of current baiting options through a multi-dose delivery system that is target specific and has a longer ‘life’ in the field. “We are looking at a system that can deliver 20 or more lethal doses per bait rather than the current one bait/one animal option,” Mr Gigliotti said.
The new system builds on previous Australian and international research and technology and incorporates innovative new developments, including two mechanisms to prevent availability to non-target species. “The multi-dose ejector is secured to the ground and requires an upward pull force of 3kg to trigger the device, preventing risk of exposure to the toxin by smaller marsupials,” Mr Gigliotti said. “The system can also be deployed with an exclusion collar which prevents non-target species such as working dogs, possums, spotted-tailed quolls and Tasmanian devils from accessing the bait. “We are also developing polymer (plastic) bait that can be impregnated with a lure that remains active for longer than natural food baits and is able to withstand numerous animals pulling on it. “Initial 'fine-tuning' will also include the toxin aerosol formulation, toxin dose size and lure formulation.”
MLA’s Program Manager – Biosecurity, Animal Health and Welfare, Jim Rothwell, said stock losses to predation were on the increase, with recent reports estimating that predators cost $67 million per year in Queensland and $21 million in Victoria in lost production. “This project is a low risk investment with good potential for significant gains to be made in wild dog control,” Dr Rothwell said. “The project will see further development of the multi-dose ejector and toxin delivery system to the point where field trials can commence, ultimately supporting the system’s application for registration with the APVMA.”
MLA is investing around $245,000 for the first year of this project in addition to the $1.4 million invested in invasive animal control research conducted through the Invasive Animals Co-operative Research Centre (IACRC). An additional $2.5 million is pledged to research invasive animals from 2012 either via the IACRC re-bid process or individual projects.
New prototype baiting technique to power up wild dog control | Meat & Livestock Australia
Media Release 15th November; Belinda Roseby MLA Media Affairs Manager, ph. 02 9463 9269
