Key issues for livestock of all classes over the summer include the decreased feed value of pasture, fungal diseases such as ryegrass and facial eczema and the accumulation of parasite larvae ahead of the autumn.  Some classes of stock such as newly shorn sheep and pigs kept outdoors may have issues with sunburn.

Feeding

Smaller block and lifestyle farmers typically use hay to cover shortages as most other supplements are supplied in bulk or are expensive in small quantities.  Molasses are available in drums suitable for small blocks and can be spread over hay to increase the feed value of the supplemented diet.
To address a genuine feed shortage, also consider reducing the stocking pressure on the farm.

Ryegrass Staggers

Ryegrass staggers is caused by animals eating fungal toxins associated with some ryegrasses.  The toxins affect nerve function resulting in affected animals losing coordination and falling over if very badly affected.  Ryegrass staggers is commonly seen during summer and autumn.

Clinical Signs : Most animals appear normal until disturbed and made to walk or run.   The key is keep them in a safe paddock to prevent them doing themselves any damage while they are unable to control their movements effectively.  Affected stock can die from misadventure, such as drowning in dams or electrocution in electric fences.

Sheep & Cattle	Horses	Alpacas
Head nodding and jerky limb movements result in staggering during moving or short prancing steps.  Sheep can fall over and appear to be in a spasm. When the spasm passes they get up and appear to be relatively normal.	As horses are more closely handled the first sign owners see is a nervous or frequent shying horse.  This progresses to unsteadiness and loss of balance when walking.  Read our vets equine advice on control & treatment	Head and neck tremors are the commonest sign, with alpacas being particularly sensitive to the toxin.

Control

Try to graze pasture that does not contain ryegrasses carrying the toxic endophytes.  This may involve sowing alternative pastures such as chickory, clover or sowing pasture with modern endophytes that do not cause ryegrass staggers.

Try to rationally graze so animals are not eating the lowest leaves.  Add supplement to decrease the amount of ryegrass eaten.

Treatment

No scientifically proven treatment options are available for dealing with ryegrass staggers.  Reducing the amount of infected ryegrass that is eaten by feeding supplements is the key.

Some ancedotal farmer evidence shows that by adding Summer Tonic or Nutrimol (both available from our clinics) can help.  Mycofix, based on ancedotal feedback from clients is effective. 

Please contact our clinics for further information.

Facial Eczema

Facial eczema is caused by animals eating toxic fungal spores.  These spores are most common when grass minimum temperatures are above 12ºC and moisture is available.

There is no effective treatment and control of disease in animals relies on prevention.  Knowing when the risk periods are approaching is key.

We encourage all stock-owners to bring two litres of their grass into the clinic for a spore count assessment.  Once counts hit a certain level preventative action can be most effectively taken.

Worms

Summer is a time when we expect worm larvae to dry up and die off.  However, recent work shows that some larvae burrow down into the soil and survive the drier months resurfacing when it rains.  At the end of a long dry period animals are grazing very short pasture and can eat large numbers of larvae in a very short time.  If you have any concerns about the adequacy of your drenches or drenching programme contact our vets.

And finally, over summer while you sit back and have a few cold ones in the shade remember to make sure that those classes of stock that need it also get the opportunity.