Elders livestock production specialist Steph Warwick explores the dangers of bone chewing and botulism in Australian cattle and offers practical prevention strategies.
As the dry season approaches in the north, and the south continues to remain dry, it is timely to highlight not only phosphorus deficiency but its deadly associate, botulism.
As many will know, Australia’s ancient soils are notoriously low in phosphorus. Phosphorus deficiency is extremely common and well understood in the north, however it can also occur further south on unimproved land, with poor fertiliser history. Phosphorus levels in pastures decline as plants mature, therefore deficiencies are most noted in dry seasons. High Calcium supplementary feeds, such as cottonseed, can further exacerbate phosphorus deficiency, as calcium will bind to phosphorus rendering it unavailable to the animal.
Phosphorus deficiency is extremely production limiting. Common signs include lower appetite, poor growth rate, poor milk production, and poor fertility.
Perhaps the most classical sign, however, is ‘pica’, which is ‘the craving of non-food items’. In cattle this manifests as scavenging behaviour - eating soil and chewing on wood and bones. This is a dangerous habit, which greatly increases the risk of cattle catching another deadly disease, Botulism.
What is botulism?
Botulism is a clostridial disease, caused by the bacteria clostridial botulinum. This bacteria breeds in rotting material, producing a toxin that results in muscle flaccidity and weakness. Even tiny amounts of this toxin can be fatal. Signs in affected cattle include a progressive muscle weakness, resulting in paralysis, difficulty swallowing and sudden death. Affected animals may stand at a water trough but be unable to physically drink. Another classical sign is tongue weakness, where the tongue can easily be pulled, and remain out, with the animal lacking the muscle strength to retract it.
Causes of botulism outbreaks can often be linked to a source of old bones, rotting carcasses, compost or chicken litter. If an animal carcase contaminates a supplementary feed source, such as silage, fed through an intensive feeding system, then outbreaks of affected animals can be large. There is no effective treatment. Mildly affected animals may recover with intensive, time-consuming supportive treatment, but mortality rates are high.
Vaccination against botulism is highly effective, and recommended in high-risk situations, with prevention being far cheaper than enduring stock losses.
Prevention tips:
- Vaccinate
- Limit access to dead animal material, remove carcasses promptly
- Prepare and store supplementary feed correctly, to reduce risk of contamination
- Year round access to phosphorus supplements in deficient areas
- Particularly for late pregnant and early gestation cows
- In the south, consider fertiliser to correct phosphorus deficiencies
Don’t hesitate to contact your local Elders livestock production specialist to discuss how this information relates to your own personal circumstances. We can help to review your supplementation or vaccination program, and arrange testing of pasture, soils or feed.
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