WA Livestock Disease Outlook - for producers

Kikuyu poisoning

• Read more on kikuyu poisoning

• Kikuyu normally grows spring-autumn and can provide valuable summer feed, but poisoning can occur under certain conditions.
• A long dry spell followed by heavy summer rain can cause rapid growth. Lush paddocks not grazed before rain may pose the biggest risk.
• Cattle are most affected by kikuyu poisoning, but sheep and goats are also susceptible. Animals of any age and condition can be affected.
• Signs may include unusual vocalisation, bloating, drooling, lack of coordination, lying down, reluctance to move and sham drinking.
• Moving animals immediately off the affected paddock and providing access to good quality feed and water may alleviate signs.
• Always report animals with drooling or mouth ulcers to your private vet or a DPIRD vet as some exotic diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease can cause similar signs. Early reporting = better chance of eradication.
• Sudden death cases may also be eligible for subsidised investigations. Ask your vet for details.

Water quality issues

• Read more on water quality for livestock

• Water quality can be reduced where the salinity becomes excessive due to evaporation over summer.
• When the water temperature increases in summer, water points can also become toxic from blue-green algae.
• Water heavily contaminated with organic matter can result in botulism in cattle or salmonellosis in sheep.
• Stock may refuse to drink poor-quality water or drink a reduced amount, which reduces feed intake and growth rate.
• Regularly check water points to ensure pipes and nozzles have not become blocked and that water quality has not deteriorated.