AGRICULTURE Victoria has highlighted the benefits and pitfalls of grazing sheep on crop stubble in a dry season as grain harvesting is finalised.
AV district veterinary officer at Ballarat Cathy Bunter said as the grain harvest draws to a close across the region, sheep producers will be eyeing off the potential value of grazing their sheep on stubble.
She advised grazing sheep on crop stubble immediately after harvest to gain the most benefit.
“Look to remove the sheep from the paddock no later than six weeks afterwards.
“Paddock size, stocking density, and how much grain and green shoots remain will be factors in your decision,” she said.
“A key indicator will be animals no longer maintaining their weight.”
Dr Bunter said a good rule-of-thumb is that the value of the feed equals the amount of residual grain and green plant growth from sprouted grain and summer weeds.
“In drier years, the stems and leaves can be quite nutritious as less energy and protein has ended up in the grain.
“Windy weather can also cause grain to drop to the ground.”
Dr Bunter said stubble doesn’t contain much calcium, but licks and supplements can make up for this.
“A simple solution is to provide your sheep with limestone plus 5 percent salt to help solve the deficiency.
“Trace elements, vitamins, urea and topping up the nutrition shortfall with pellets and grain such as lupins to increase protein intake will help.”
Animal health issues to watch out for when grazing sheep on stubble include:
- water belly
- grain poisoning
- Polioencephalomalacia or thiamine deficiency
- nitrate and nitrite poisoning from oilseed crops like canola
- Lupinosis from a fungus in lupins that produces a toxin.
Dr Bunter said sheep are helpful at reducing high stubble load but be careful not to overgraze the paddock and leave at least 50pc ground cover to prevent wind erosion and help retain moisture in the paddock.
For further information on grazing sheep on stubble see the following resources or contact your consultant nutritionist or veterinarian.
Click here to review sheep nutritional requirements on stubble and here for details on drought feeding sheep.
For specific drought management support, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons or call 136 186.
Source – Agriculture Victoria.
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