Worm larvae are a common issue in the cooler weather for grazing animals and can often be hard to detect.

Once the larvae eggs are passed through the faeces and conditions are suitable for development, the eggs hatch to larvae and undergo two stages of growth before developing into the third stage becoming infective.

If the conditions are suitable the larvae can develop in a very short period of time. A donor sheep infected with H. contortus cultured and incubated for 7 days at 25-27 degrees produced approximately 800,000 infective larvae that could potentially infect other sheep.

Larvae are very resilient and can survive in low temperatures, even a frost. The larvae become a major issue as it can remain in the pastures for up to 3-7 months.

Warmer and humid conditions are when the larvae are most active due to a greater demand for limited food reserves, where as in cooler temperatures the larvae is less active, consume fewer reserves and will survive longer.

Unfortunately larvae can’t be seen with the naked eye on pastures hence the importance to understand the conditions at which worm eggs develop.

Highly contaminated pastures are particu- larly unsuitable for young sheep which are at most risk of infection. Pasture contamination can also be managed with rotational crops and worm tests conducted on farm.

Sourced from AgriWest Rural

Ask most people what a Jujube is and they will tell you a Jujube is a character from a Nintendo game. On a more serious note, jujube could be a big business enterprise for Currajong Disability Services as de- mand continues to grow for the exotic fruit, especially in the Far East and the Australian-Asian grocery industry.

Over the past 12 months a dedicated team of Currajong Disability Services staff, the Currajong Autism Support Group, and numerous local volunteers have ripped, planted, irrigated and treated soil at the Akuna Road farm – all to ensure a bumper jujube crop.

Despite challenges from pests such as hares, everything is on course for a good haul that will help, in part, meet the demands of the burgeoning Asian market but also, potentially, create employment for Currajong Disability Service clients and an additional income stream.

Neil Unger, CDS chairman, said the jujube fruit fetches up to $15/kg fresh. “Some like it fresh but it is also popular dry, taking on a similar consistency and taste as sticky dates,” he said.

“It is another potential arm to the CDS business model that now includes paper shredding, Carob Trees and much more,” said Neil. “We are continuing to go from strength to strength.”

The Jujube need grafting and cannot just be grown. They are tolerant of salt, cold and heat being able to withstand temps as low as -50 degrees Celsius through to +50 degrees Celsius. They are extremely resil- ient and can be profitable.

“We are hoping to expand but as you know these things take time,” said Neil. “Once this is up and running we hope and anticipate it may provide more opportuni- ties and employment.

“Again, thanks everyone for their time, effort and support,” said Neil.

By Dane Millerd

Local sheep farmers are experiencing calcium deficient ewes known as hypocalcaemia. This is a common calcium disorder for ewes that becomes more frequent at lambing time.

This condition is common as the lamb is entirely dependent on the ewe to provide calcium to build strong bones for the first few weeks. The peak demand for calcium for a lamb is at 10 days of age, but that demand on the ewe steadily increases from midway through pregnancy, as the lamb’s bones begin to calcify.

Inadequate calcium supply by a ewe to her lamb means the lamb has lower bone calcium stores, and as an adult will be more at risk of hypocalcaemia when lamb- ing, perpetuating the risk into the next generation.

The disorder is more common in transported sheep and those in stressful situations, such as when yarded for shearing in winter.

Fortunately, if recognised early, a simple treatment with a calcium solution injected under the skin and oral supplements will affect a recovery in most sheep.

Farmers can influence the risk of hypocalcaemia by ensuring the ewes get fed a balanced diet, which contains at least 3 gm/kg DM calcium, and up to 5 gm/kg in ewes with multiple lambs. Legume forages are great sources of calcium, and cereal grains are poor.

Sourced from agriculture.vic.gov.au

During the sowing season farmers are reminded to continue to think about safety first.

Farmers and machinery operators need to be aware and consider the electricity network safety on their property prior to undertaking work.

Regional manager northern, Mark Summers said Essential Energy was trying to avoid a repeat of last year’s spike in statewide incidents involving tractors and cotton module makers contacting the network.

“The safety of our farmers, their workers and our electricity network are our top priority,” Mark said.

Reducing the risk of fatalities or injury of agricultural workers is a high priority this year.

“We are spreading the message to improve planning of activities which may re- duce the risks to agricultural workers. Mapping out safe traffic paths and monitoring machinery movements around powerlines and poles can help avoid costly network incidents, unnecessary power outages and damage to electrical infrastructure.”

If machinery does contact overhead powerlines, operators are advised to stay in the cabin and contact Essential Energy immediately on 13 20 80.

“Bystanders should always remain at least 8m away and treat powerlines as if they are live,” Mark said.

Property owners can access maps of Essential Energy’s overhead electricity net- work by calling 13 23 91 or visiting essentialenergy.com.au/overhead.

Healthy soils are essential for primary production and sustainable landscapes.

Would you like to find out how to understand your soil and improve your soil health?

The Soil Pits and Kits workshop is your key to finding out more about soil chemistry, soil physical characteristics, soil testing and management techniques and options.

There are also opportunities to take home a soil testing kit (conditions apply).

The workshop will be held on 23rd July including a delicious morning tea and lunch. For more information or to book your spot, contact Marg on 6862 4914 or email cwllpo@hotmail.com