PIRSA Biosecurity animal health have asked for producers in the Upper North region to report any animal health issues, particularly in areas around Hawker and Craddock.
A PIRSA veterinarian (Jeremy Rogers) is currently staying in the region visiting properties, talking to people, gathering information and undertaking disease investigations. PIRSA Biosecurity animal health have also engaged the services of a botanist who is looking into toxic plants in the area.
PIRSA Biosecurity animal health has invested significant resources investigating animal health issues in the same region last year and in previous decades (approximately 300 person hours and $12,000 in lab fees this year alone). They need your help to keep this investigation moving forward.
To actively progress this investigation, they need people to ring in and report unusual deaths or sickness in sheep and cattle (as well as birds/ferals/natives).
Where possible they need to be working with private vets to collect samples and undertake post mortems. PIRSA Biosecurity animal health can pay for lab costs associated with testing of samples.
Problems that PIRSA Biosecurity animal health have uncovered thus far include plant toxicities and various bacterial diseases. Much of the evidence from samples collected in the past points a finger at toxic plants. Given the current season it is important to be aware of flare-ups of pulpy kidney and internal parasites. Being aware of where toxic weeds are likely to be a problem and avoiding grazing these areas after spring rains is also advisable.
To report animal health issues please phone:
Jeremy Rogers, PIRSA veterinarian – phone 0427 608 133
Nigel Baum, PIRSA veterinarian – phone 0427 604 191
Trent Scholz, Senior Animal Health Officer – phone 0427 970 453
