National Procedures and Guidelines for Intensive Sheep and Lamb Feeding Systems

Feedback Posted August 2008

Back

Definitions and scope

• Feedlots with less than 500 head should be excluded from the National Procedures and Guidelines
• Feedlots with less than 1,000 head should be excluded from the National Procedures and Guidelines
• All feedlots, regardless of size, should be included because the principles remain the same regardless of size and the environmental requirements (ponds etc) change according to factors such as size and rainfall
• It would be helpful if some tools could be developed to help with calculations relating to environmental requirements

• Pasture based finishing systems should not be included in the National Procedures and Guidelines
• Pasture based finishing systems should be included in the National Procedures and Guidelines because they impact the environment and have similar requirements to other finishers in terms of health, welfare, management, etc.
• Drought lots should be included as the same principles apply
• If drought lots are not included, they should have a separate document

• The document should be called “Guidelines” and not a Code of Practice
• The document should be called a “Code of Practice” to encourage consistency across the industry and different states. Councils, DPIs, EPAs and other bodies should base their regulations on the Guide or adopt it as appropriate.

• Environmental guidelines should consider length of time and season of operation, as well as numbers

Format

• Pasture based systems should have their own document
• Standards should be in a different document to guidelines which should be a document providing best practice information
• The standards and guidelines should be kept together, so that the National Procedures and Guidelines is a total reference
• The animal health section is valuable but should be a separate document
• Include more information in the health section, such as symptoms
• Use the health information to make a “ute guide”

Environment and Design

• Areas designated for the  spreading of effluent must be located above the 1 in 5 year flood line
• Areas designated for the spreading of effluent must be located at least 2 metres above the shallowest watertable
• Feedlots must not be constructed on flood prone land
• Sites should not be selected where significant vegetation removal is required
• More weight should be given to community amenity to ensure that landscape screening and buffers are more strongly encouraged

• Environmental management plan should include the management of weeds introduced from feeds

• Separation distances should not be dependent on the size of the nearest town
• The current code of practice is based on cattle research and guidelines. Research to determine if this is appropriate would be invaluable.

• Deep collection ponds reduce evaporation and increase odour
• The current recommendations for pond storage appear adequate
• Storage ponds should not be required for small feedlots, particularly, where there is good distance to property boundaries
• Regular pen cleaning helps to reduce odour
• Waste generated from feedlots can create value added products

Management

• Should a minimum weight be required before entry into a feedlot?
• Include information about shearing with snow combs
• Include information about Bioclip
• An evacuation plan should be included
• A fire management plan should be included

Health, welfare and nutrition

• Curfew – time off feed should be no more than 24 hours on-farm
• The maximum time off water, including transport time, should be 24 hours
• A minimum feed intake should not be stipulated as this will vary
• it is not appropriate for lambs under three months to be lifted by one leg

• Information about virginiamycin, Bovatec and buffering products should be included
• Antibiotics must not be included in rations
• Feed suppliers should have a responsibility to provide details of any antibiotics included in feeds

• Include OH&S where implications of mishandling may be critical, eg, scabby mouth
• Minimum ME and protein shouldn’t be stated as inexperienced operators may misinterpret the information as satisfactory requirements not minimums.