Beware risks at turnout
Beware risks at turnout
Many producers are asking whether livestock should be
turned out. While there is no easy answer, small steps
can be taken to reduce risk of exposing grazing livestock
to foot-and-mouth. Marianne Curtis reports
DESPITE a late spring, turnout is fast approaching and grazing management must be adapted to protect livestock from foot-and-mouth disease and use grass efficiently where stock numbers differ from usual.
Keeping cattle housed is still the best form of defence against foot-and-mouth, but this will become increasingly difficult as time progresses, says Richard Sibley of the British Cattle Veterinary Association.
"Cattle are relatively secure while they are in isolated and secure housing away from possible infection. Turning them out to face an unknown risk is unacceptable. BCVA is pressing MAFF for sheep on farms bordering cattle farms to be blood tested so risk can be assessed before cattle are turned out. I am not convinced all infected sheep are yet known about."
But producers having to turn cattle out where risk is unknown should take precautions. "Avoid contact between cattle and sheep. Allow a distance of 500m between the two species. Graze animals close to farm, keeping them away from perimeter fields."
Zero grazing is safer, but presents practical difficulties for many producers, he says. "This is less risky than conventional grazing, but many farms do not have the necessary machinery and would need to rely on contractors. The risk of employing contractors on the farm on a regular basis – grass would need to be cut daily – must be balanced against the risk of grazing."
Winter feed supplies in Devon are still adequate on most farms, according to Mr Sibley.
But the picture is different in parts of Cumbria where the increasing expansion of infected areas means sourcing feed is becoming difficult, says Pasture into Profit grazing consultant Carol Gibson.
"Some have no option but grazing. However, a cold spring resulting in slow grass growth means over-grazing is a risk. Maintain overall farm cover above 1900kgDM/ha. Allowing it to become too low will compromise growth later in the season.
"Buy feed now to keep grass cover up. While cows can cope with a slight feed pinch in early lactation, the last thing spring calvers need is to be short of grass when they are approaching service in late April or early May." A sudden diet change at this point could reduce conception rates, she warns.
Farms which are over-stocked, perhaps as a result of being unable to sell excess youngstock or cull cows, may need to apply extra fertiliser, advises Miss Gibson. "It may be necessary to increase nitrogen application from 40 to 50 units/acre to boost grass growth."
Providing fertiliser is evenly spread, it can safely be applied to pasture where stock are grazing, says SAC beef specialist Basil Lowman. "Fertiliser use is a good way of minimising over-stocking problems. Avoid over-filling spreaders which can lead to large concentrations of fertiliser spilling on some areas of the field." (See table).
Producers unable to sell store beef cattle due to movement restrictions should consider grazing areas normally reserved for silage, he suggests. "Near neighbours may have insufficient cattle for their grazing area, so consider a deal whereby they make more silage which you buy back in winter."
An alternative to addressing possible grass silage shortages next winter is to consider using other forages, believes to ADAS nutritionist Chris Savery. "One option may be to increase maize area. Alternatively, can you re-allocate cereals which would usually be sold for grain for whole-crop silage? This may be a better option than growing more maize on farms where a late harvest date for the crop poses problems."
For land where grass cannot be conserved but there are too few animals to graze it, there is no point in applying fertiliser, says Dr Lowman. "Top it two to three times through the season. A small advantage of this policy is that the lack of artificial nitrogen and pasture resting will encourage clover growth for future seasons," he says.
Heavy beef stores or finishers in areas where they are unable to be moved for slaughter may be better off outside, adds Dr Lowman. "Turning these animals out will save on straw bedding and feeding them half a daily ration and limited grass will reduce the chance of them becoming overfat."
GRAZINGADVICE
• Avoid perimeter fields.
• Eke out grass with supplements.
• Review silage policy.
Potential beef stocking rates for different levels of N fertiliser (tonnes beef grazed/ha)
Fertiliser nitrogen (kg/year) Grass only Grass/Clover
0 1 2.3
100 1.6 2.6
200 2.3 3
300 2.6 3.3
Source: SAC