northern-stock-water

Comparing phosphorus supplements for livestock – find the best product for your farm.

Tue, 06 Dec 2022 01:04:09 GMT

As requirements for Phosphorus increases during the wet season, it is important to provide cattle with supplements. There are several diverse types of wet season supplements available on the market and pastoralists should consider them with regards to cost, intake, practicality and percent of Phosphorus.

Below, we'll discuss the different types of phosphorous supplements available, the pros and cons of each option and how to calculate their cost per head.

Loose Lick Supplements:

Loose lick supplements are one option, normally lower in co st per head per day and price per tonne compared to blocks, however if left uncovered during heavy rain they may leech nutrients.

It’s recommended that by placin g the loose lick into a covered trough it will reduce water damage. As less manufacturing and processing is involved in loose lick the potential for Phosphorus inclusion is quite high.

Block Supplements:

Blocks options are high in price per tonne but are less labour intensive as they can be put out and left to the elements.

The Phosphorus inclusion of blocks can vary as high levels of other ingredients including salt and molasses are needed to set the blocks.

When comparing products, the following equation will work out c/head/day:

$/tonne/1000/1000 x intake e.g.: $1000+GST/1000/1000 x 100 grams intake= $0.10/head/day

14% Phosphorus loose lick: $1350/1000/1000 x 90 grams= $0.12
15% Phosphorus blocks: $2000/1000/1000 x 75 grams= $0.15

Although the loose lick is cheaper per head per day, the cost of labour and vehicle usage must also be considered when working out which supplement is best suited to your station.

Water Supplementation:

Supplementation through the water is also an option however during the wet season there is surface water available, and cattle may not be drinking from the troughs, therefore not getting access to the Phosphorus.

Depending on the requirements of your station and cattle, Northern Stock Water can supply loose lick supplements, blocks and water supplementation. For more information,please contact our Animal Nutritionist Susannah on (08) 8971 1293 or susannah@bilbagroup.com.au .

The Role of Dung Beetles in Australian Agriculture

Mon, 10 Oct 2022 07:14:35 GMT

Dung beetles are a group of hardworking insects that use dung for nesting and feeding. Australia has over 500 species of native beetles, the majority of which process the coarse pellet-like dung of marsupials. As only a small number of native species evolved to break down cattle dung, introduced species were brought into Australia in the 1950’s.

There are two types of dung beetles, those that create balls of dung that are rolled away to nesting sites and those that create tunnels beneath the pad. Both types of beetles lay their eggs in balls of dung and then bury the balls in the soil.

Benefits

Dung beetles provide benefits to properties in several ways including the storage of carbon, increased soil health and fertility, improved pasture growth and productivity, reduction of nutrient runway into waterways and reduction of parasites.

By burying the dung, beetles store carbon content in the soil. This reduces the loss of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere and reduces greenhouse emissions. The buried dung also supplies a readily available source of biological carbon for soil and plant growth.

Dung beetles can increase soil health and fertility and pasture health and productivity. When dung is buried, the nutrients it holds is then accessible to the soil and pasture, boosting pasture growth by approx 30% over two years. Dung beetles that create tunnels under the pad aerate the soil when doing so, allowing for rainwater to penetrate and the reduction of run-off into nearby waterways. The penetration of the soil also allows for plant roots to grow further down.

Australian livestock produce approx. 80 million tonne of dung per year and with the average beast dropping 10-12 dung pad everyday this provides a large amount of dung for flies, such as the buffalo fly, to lay their eggs. A single cow pad can result in 3000 flies. By burying the dung, beetles are removing a potential breeding ground that will reduce the population that would cause productivity and health issues to livestock. Through this process dung beetles provide a natural chemical free solution to fly related problems.

Identification and Supply

Dung beetles can be bought from suppliers to introduce a colony or increase the insects' population on properties where minimal beetles are present.

It is important that the current species is identified before introduction as species are active at different time of the year. The supplier will aid in identification.

This interactive map allows producers to identify which species may be present in their area:

www.dungbeetles.com.au/dung-beetles/which-species-are-near-you

For identification of your current species and to increase your numbers through a new colony please contact our Animal Nutritionist Susannah on (08) 8971 1293 or susannah@bilbagroup.com.au .

Breeding EDGE workshop in Cloncurry QLD

accounts@northernstockwater.com.au (Adrian Brown) — Mon, 19 Sep 2022 03:54:51 GMT

24 Oct 2022 - 26 Oct 2022

Breeding EDGE is a three-day workshop designed to assist producers improve and refine their breeder herd management and genetic improvement plans using genetic and reproductive knowledge and technologies, to achieve desired production targets.

Attending this workshop will help you to:

identify where the current breeder herd management program can be improved to reduce reproductive loss
measure reproductive performance more accurately
identify strategies and management to improve bull selection, retention, management and performance
develop, or refine, a practical and achievable management plan for the breeding herd that will lead to higher productivity
gain a thorough understanding of genetic improvement for both breeding cattle and turnoff cattle and develop breeding objectives to take your herd in a more profitable direction.

What you will learn

current herd performance – what measures matter most
reproduction and reproduction loss
managing the breeders - systems
bull fertility and management
identifying “not so obvious” bull faults that impact reproduction
reproductive diseases and diseases impacting reproduction
breeder herd management plans
genetic improvement of your herd (including breeding objectives)
genetic principles and selection tools
selection and selection criteria for traits important to you
breeds and breeding systems.

Click here to find out more on the MLA website

Places are limited, you can register for the event through Beef Production Specialist, Felicity Hamlyn-Hill - Beef Enterprise Advisory Services.

M: 0428 113 732 / E: felicityhamlyn-hill@bigpond.com

Territory Q Magazine features Northern Stock Water owner, Emma Brown

accounts@northernstockwater.com.au (Adrian Brown) — Mon, 29 Aug 2022 02:21:17 GMT

Territory Q is the premium business and industry magazine of the Northern Territory. They are an independent, private enterprise offering an integrated and inclusive platform to the entire business community. They work diligently to engage in sharing information, inspiration, motivation, education and conversation to each other – and the world at large.

Their content rich publications are full of inspiring business men and women, passionate entrepreneurs and extraordinary Territorians who've achieved their professional dreams through sheer determination and grit, come hell, high water, airline strikes and cyclones.

Northern Stock Water is proud to have owner, Emma Brown featured in their latest edition as a TQ Pioneer amongst the extraordinary Territorians whose stories have already been told. Northern Stock Water is a staunch supporter of Territory business and entrepreneurs and are thrilled to have had such a prestigious publication make the effort to tell the story of Emma, her husband Adrian and their family.

To read all about how Emma Brown learned excellent life lessons from her mother and late father's entrepreneurship and passion for progressive agriculture, click here .

For more articles and to find out more about Terrritory Q, click here .

The Importance of Supplements for Cattle in the Wet Season

Sun, 28 Aug 2022 22:47:37 GMT

With the wet season fast approaching it’s time to think about Phosphorous (P) supplements for your cattle. The majority of Northern Australia’s soils are considered acutely deficient as they have less then 4ppm of Phosphorus. Phosphorus is a vital mineral for many body functions including utilisation of energy and protein, bone formation, high feed intake and improved weight gain and fertility.

Signs of P deficiency include decreased feed intake, poor growth and fertility rates, low weaning rates, peg leg, rough coats, and bone chewing. When bone chewing occurs there is a risk of Botulism which can prove fatal. P deficiency can be identified through testing of soil, plants, dung and blood as well as observations of the cattle.

The recommended intake varies between class of cattle and desired weight gain or lactation. Lactating cows require more P then steers and heifers gaining weight.

During the wet season when the energy and protein levels in the feed are high the need for Phosphorus increases as it becomes the limiting nutrient. When fed Phosphorus during the wet season cattle can show a great response with improved liveweight gain, improved fertility, and increased milk production.

Phosphorus supplementation is available in different forms including- loose lick, blocks, and straight Phosphorus sources. The main sources of Phosphorus used in the feed industry are Dicalcium Phosphate (DCP), Mono-calcium Phosphate (MCP) and Mono-dicalcium Phosphate (MDCP). When choosing a Phosphorus supplement, it is important to look at the percent of Phosphorus provided and the recommended intake to ensure you are getting value for your money.

To discuss your available tests, wet season feeding options, and for a quote please call Susannah on (08) 8971 1293 / 0474 000 319 or email susannah@bilbagroup.com.au .

Join the Change-Makers Advancing Australia’s North at the next Developing Northern Australia Conference

accounts@northernstockwater.com.au (Adrian Brown) — Sun, 28 Aug 2022 22:47:37 GMT

The Developing Northern Australia Conference continues to grow every year, along with the national momentum for achieving better economic, social, and environmental outcomes for the north and its people.

It is that one regular opportunity for northern Australians and their supporters from across the nation and the world to come together to celebrate progress and to refine strategic efforts.

It’s the place where multiple connections are made east to west, north to south, and from the north to the wider world. It is also the place where deals are done and where partnerships for business, research, investment, and problem solving emerge.

Importantly, it also enables strong Indigenous and other important voices from across the north to come together to share stories across diverse themes such as investment, health, defence, workforce and industry development and natural resource management.

The Developing Northern Australia Conference is closely aligned with, but independent from, the Australian Government’s ‘Our North, Our Future: White Paper on Developing Northern Australia’.

Released in 2015, this 20-year plan was created to drive growth, investment, and support in northern Australia through six pillars:

Global Positioning - Security, Defence & Space
Next Generation Agriculture & Water
Energy & Resources
Enabling Infrastructure
Liveability, Affordability & Workforce
Mobilising Indigenous-Led Development

Each year, this conference offers attendees the opportunity to discuss the challenges and opportunities faced with each pillar and reflect upon progress being made in each industry. It has a major influence of policy and program development, investment attraction and problem solving.

The conference also provides the premier annual opportunity for everyone to have a real input into the policy and program thinking of the Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments.

Sign up at northaust.org.au to be one of the first to get all the details for the 2023 Developing Northern Australia Conference, taking place in Darwin on Monday 24th July - Wednesday 26 July 2023.