Cowra Local Livestock Health Update

Grazing canola crops provide an exceptional feed base with high protein, but like almost all crops and pastures they come with a few livestock health risks.

In sheep, the most commonly diagnosed diseases are:

1. Photosensitisation: Tends to be seen in young lambs grazing immature plants (<6-8 weeks post germination). Results in puffy heads, droopy ears and eventually ‘earless lambs’.

2. Clostridial diseases (pulpy kidney, enteritis): Lush, rapidly digestible feed supports over growth in Clostridial bacteria. Ensure boosters are up to date and consider 3 monthly boosters if grazing lush feed like grazing crops.

3. Metabolic diseases in ewes: While canola is adequate in energy, calcium and magnesium it often takes a few days for ewes to start grazing the crop. This period of time off feed in heavily pregnant ewes or ewes with little lambs at foot can result in pregnancy toxaemia (‘preg tox’) and hypocalcaemia (‘milk fever’).

In cattle, the most commonly seen diseases are:

1. Bloat: Brassicas are a high risk bloat crop. Provide access to roughage and supplement with ionphores, such as monensin and lasalocid. These are added to numerous commercially available pre-mixed loose licks, which also contain salt, calcium and magnesium.

2. Nitrate Poisoning: Dull, cloudy weather can reduce photosynthesis in the plant, which in turn can allow the nitrates to accumulate. Consider removing stock from the crop during and for a week after these periods if possible, or alternatively increase the amount and quality of hay being fed out. Crops recently topdressed with nitrogenous fertiliser, such as urea, are considered high risk. Avoid grazing any crop within 4 weeks of a nitrogen application.

As a general rule, never give hungry animals the chance to gorge themselves on a lush crop. Introduce stock gradually so that their rumen microflora have the chance to adjust to the high quality diet. A few hours per day initially (10am-2pm) for seven days is the most cautious approach. Once adjusted onto Brassica, don’t chop and change their feed base. While high in crude protein and energy, Brassica crops, like all grazing crops and lush pastures, are low in firbe content. Consider having hay available, particularly for pregnant and lactating animals, when first introducing stock to a paddock, and, during periods of bad weather.

And lastly, but certainly not least, keep an eye on them! Grazing any crop is not a set and forget system. Watch them closely and if you notice any issues contact your veterinary immediately for advice.

Most commonly diagnosed disease this month? Benign Footrot. Continued mild conditions with good pasture mass and sheep going onto crops has meant that the environment is ideal for the expression of benign strains of footrot. Footbathing with 20% zinc sulphate and 1-2% sodium lauryl sulphate, or Radicate, is highly effective and an important part of keeping benign strains in check during wetter seasons. If you would like further information or to chat about any animal health issues, please feel free to contact your local District Veterinarian’s:

Em Johnstone (0419 334 077) or Evie Duggan (0427 147 939).

14 June 2023

Have your say on Council’s long-term planning

The key planning documents guiding Council’s daily activities, budget, and fees and charges are now on public exhibition Community members are urged to view and comment on the:

Draft Integrated Delivery Program 2022-2023 to 2025-2026 and Operational Plan 2023-2024

Draft 10 Year Financial Plan 2023-2024 to 2032-2033

Draft Revenue Policy 2023-2024

You can view Council’s draft planning documents at our website; cowracouncil com au, in the foyer of Cowra Shire Council, 116 Kendal Street, Cowra or at Cowra Library during office hours Copies have also been sent to all of our Shire’s village associations

All submissions must be made in writing to the General Manager, Cowra Shire Council, Private Bag 342, Cowra 2794 or via email to council@cowra nsw gov au by 4pm, Thursday 15th June 2023

Meet Local Author Harold Treasure at Cowra Library

Join us at Cowra Library when local author and farmer Harold Treasure launches his book King's Spur on Friday 16 June at 10.30am. King's Spur is set in the Dargo High Plains last century and is inspired by distant Treasure relatives who are part of the High Country cattleman myths and legends

DATE Event Details

Until 02 July

While The World Waits. The exhibition will be hosted by Cowra Regional Art Gallery, alongside ‘A Lot of Little Nothings’ by Cowra artist Shani Nottingham. Shani is also one of the 20 artists featured in While the World Waits so we are delighted at the pairing of our two shows. Last year Arts OutWest commissioned 15 Central West songwriters to each write a track reflecting their experiences of 2020. We created a compilation album of original music titled While the World Waits. While the World Waits Exhibition is a curated exhibition in which selected artists each respond to one or more tracks, title or words on the album.

Until 02 July

Little Nothings: Shani Nottingham. This is an exhibition of mixed media works by multi-disciplinary Cowra artist Shani Nottingham which highlights the environmental impact of the abundance of single use plastics. Nottingham collects, reclaims and transforms bread-tags which bloom to become something ‘other’.

14 June John Farnham Finding the Voice. Cowra Civic Centre. 1pm - 3pm & 4:30pm - 6pm 10/6, 4:30pm - 6pm 11/6, 10:30am - 12pm 14/6. Tickets

$17.19. John Farnham: Finding the Voice tells the untold story of an Australian music icon. In this first authorised biopic, we follow Farnham’s life from the quiet suburbs of Melbourne to ‘60s pop fame, through incredible highs and lows, and ultimately to record-breaking success as ‘Australia’s Voice’.

John Farnham was 38 years old when Whispering Jack was released.

16 June Meet Local Author Harold Treasure at Cowra Library. 10:30am12pm. Cowra Library. Join us at Cowra Library when local author and farmer Harold Treasure launches his book King’s Spur on Friday 16 June at 10.30am. King’s Spur is set in the Dargo High Plains last century and is inspired by distant Treasure relatives who are part of the High Country cattleman myths and legends. This fictional story has its roots in history, wild remote landscapes and challenges faced by the first Europeans. King’s Spur will be on sale at the event for $25 and 87-year-old Harold will be on hand to sign copies.

17 June Cowra Community Markets. 8am - 12pm. Sid Kallas Oval. Looking for sometime to do this weekend? Pop on down to the Cowra Community Markets held every third Saturday at Sid Kallas Oval from 8am. Each month at the Markets you can find locally grown fruit and veg, eggs, honey, oils and other pantry staples. They also have home baked bread, cakes, slices and biscuits, homemade preserves, homewares and gift ideas, clothing, candles, plants, collectables and bric-abrac, tea and coffee, and so much more! Don’t forget the Cowra Community Chest Sausage sizzle! The Markets are a great place to meet up with family or friends. You can grab a seat at the CCC Cafe while you have a coffee and cake, or a sausage sandwich.

17/18 June

Book Club The Next Chapter. Cowra Civic Centre. 3pm - 6pm 17/6, 12pm - 2pm 18/6. Tickets

$17.19. Book Club – The Next Chapter the highly anticipated sequel follows our four best friends as they take their book club to Italy for the fun girls trip they never had. When things go off the rails and secrets are revealed, their relaxing vacation turns into a once-in-a-lifetime cross-country adventure.

18 June

Ongoing

22 June

Wyangala Country Club Social bowls. 10am every Sunday morning at Wyangala Country Club.

Maximize the Visitor Economy - Free Event. 5pm - 8pm. Cowra Bowling Club. Investigate how to create community events which attract visitors and learn how to market as individual businesses and as a collective to draw visitors into local business.

What’s the Voice referendum about?

It’s about whether we should change the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by setting up an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. A referendum is the only way to change the Australian Constitution.

What is the Voice?

The Voice would be a permanent body that gives independent advice to the Australian Parliament and Government on matters that affect First Nations people.

The Voice aims to help the Parliament and Government to make better decisions and deliver better outcomes for First Nations people.

How will the Voice be set up?

How it’s set up would be determined after the referendum with input from First Nations people, the broader public and the Government. The Parliament would then make a law to set up the Voice.

The intention is that its members will be chosen by and representative of, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from across Australia.

Be ready for the conversation, get informed at Voice.gov.au