Animal Health in a Drought

Note Number: AG1073
Published: December 2005
Updated: December 2008

 

Introduction

Drought calls for hard economic decisions to be made, particularly on the fate of stock. Stock owners should obtain all available information to make the best decisions.

The economic survival of their enterprise may be at risk and they must also make good decisions to meet their moral and legal obligations to the welfare of their stock and their land. There is an abundance of high quality information and expert advice available to stock owners affected by drought. Free drought management seminars are run by DPI, and free DPI Agriculture notes are available on the internet (http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/notes), and through DPI offices.

By getting early advice, understanding it, formulating plans and taking early action, the effects of drought wont compound into an economic, animal welfare and land care disaster. Stock owners must accept that in times of drought it is unavoidable that valuable stock may have to be sold at low prices, costly feed or agistment may have to be purchased and any weak animals will have to be humanely destroyed and disposed of in an environmentally safe manner. Be aware that stock surviving the drought in poor condition may succumb to the cold wet windy weather that usually ends the drought.

Stock weakened by drought face extra risks posed by:

• physical accidents;
• aberrant eating habits; and
• predisposition to infectious disease.

When stock are weak they are prone to physical accidents. This can especially be the case if placed in crowded containment areas where the competition for food, water and space may be intense. Getting bogged in the exposed mud of rivers and dams is well known and weak stock may become stranded if unable to negotiate steep banks. The exertions of transport may cause weak stock to fall or lie down causing others to fall and smother. Non-slip flooring and correct loading densities are essential. Pregnant stock may be too weak to give birth without assistance.

Drought affected stock can ingest large quantities of sand and dirt which may cause impaction of the gut. Hungry stock may ingest poisonous plants or eat excessive amounts of indigestible roughage or grain. Drought affected stock released into rubbish tips have been known to die after consuming lead batteries, oil and diesel fuel and plastic bags.

The effects of parasites and infectious diseases are often amplified in drought conditions, partly because of increased transmission in crowded conditions such as around water and feed sources, but also because of lowered immunity associated with poor nutrition. Outbreaks of diseases such as salmonellosis, fibrinous pneumonia and pinkeye can devastate drought affected stock.

Some things to consider:

• Check stock regularly to minimise stock injuries and death from adventuring for feed and water;
• Carefully consider using commercial lick blocks; they are usually a very expensive form of supplement and can be toxic to hungry stock if they contain grain or urea;
• Avoid accidents and exacerbating loss of body condition by minimising handling and the walking distances to feed and water;
• Get advice and be very careful when feeding novel feedstuffs. Chemical residues may be present which may cause poisoning or be incorporated in meat and milk.
• Feedstuffs such as fruit, bread, urea mixes, fat, milk products and grain can cause illness in stock if fed too much too quickly. Dietary changes, particularly with grain, should be made slowly.
• Never release hungry stock onto green pasture or crops.
• It is illegal to feed meals derived from animals such as meat, fish and feather meal to ruminants (including sheep and cattle).
• Stock containment areas are an excellent idea for feeding, watering and monitoring stock whilst protecting against widespread land degradation. Establish a nearby hospital pen so that any sick animals can be quickly isolated and treated.
• Finally, it is not acceptable to let stock die or suffer, even though it may be a distressing task to destroy them. It is also wrong to dispose of carcasses in an environmentally unsafe or unsightly manner. Contact the Department of Primary Industries (Call 136186) if you need advice on these matters.

Further information

Other information on animal health in a drought can be found on the DPI website under the link Drought Information:

http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/DPI/nrenfa.nsf/childdocs/-80E62E2EAB672EE24A256B520005A0AF-C5C1899E958127624A256B520005C2A1?open

Acknowledgement

This note was originally written by Tristan Jubb with the assistance of Louise Wood, and was previously published in December 2005.

It was reviewed:
Lloyd Klumpp, Farm Services Victoria - Animal Health Field Services. December 2008