By admin | May 21, 2008
When a horse is doing muscular work, its main requirement is a liberal supply of energy. Mineral and vitamin requirements for a working horse, however, are not much more than those required by an idle horse.
It should be noted, however, that brood mares require a good supply of protein, minerals and vitamins during pregnancy, and these requirements will increase even further while nursing foals.
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By admin | May 21, 2008
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot.,” Ecc 3: 1 - 2.
In general pastures cycle through three distinct phases throughout the year. Phase I (initial or establishment phase) is when plants are young and fragile and trying to develop a root system. This occurs when either the pasture has just been planted or after the first rains of the season when new seedlings come up.
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By admin | May 21, 2008
The symptoms of “big head” disease (Osteodystrophia fibrosa) are affected gait, poor performance and swelling of bones of the head. Big head is a calcium imbalance caused when horses graze exclusively on grasses containing high levels of oxalate; that locks up calcium making it unabsorbable by the horse’s intestine.
Many introduced grasses contain oxalate. Setaria’s (purple pigeon grass has about half the oxalate content of other setarias) and buffel grasses contain the highest levels of oxalate followed by kikuyu, pangola and panics. Grasses with lower or zero oxalate content are Rhodes, creeping bluegrass, couch, paspalum and many native grasses.
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By admin | May 21, 2008
Lucerne is the “king of fodders” because it provides high quality, high protein feed all year round. This is particularly significant in the subtropics where tropical grasses are frosted and lose their nutritive value in the winter months.
Compared with other feeds (see the following table) the protein and calcium contents of lucerne are usually high, whereas higher levels of metabolisable energy can be found in cereal crops and fresh grasses.
The phosphorus content of lucerne is generally lower than that needed by dairy cows. Supplementing dairy cows with phosphorus is recommended.
Source: The Lucerne Management Handbook 4th ed.
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By admin | May 21, 2008
The NLIS (or National Livestock Identification Scheme) is being introduced in Australia in an effort to be able to trace animals from birth to slaughter. This will enable producers to find improvements in market access as well as aiding in disease management and issues relating to residue control.
The Queensland government has decreed that the NLIS will begin on July 1, 2005. All producers of cattle and pigs as well as producers with more than ten sheep, goats or camelids (alpacas, lamas or camels) will be required to be registered by the DPI & F. From 1 July most animals moved from one property to another or stock being sold through the saleyards (or privately) must be fitted with an individual electronic NLIS device, (either an ear tag or a rumen bolus).
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