Producers with lush, rapidly growing pastures with high legume contents should be aware of an increased risk of bloat with improved seasonal conditions and a promising outlook throughout southern states.
While there are some products available that may help to treat bloat, the best strategy is prevention. Hence, targeted management will ensure livestock are not affected and producers are still getting returns from their pastures in good seasons.
Bloat is a condition that can affect both cattle and sheep, but is more severe in cattle, and is caused by an inability to eructate (“burp”) a build-up of gas in the rumen, which can either be free or frothy, causing pressure on the diaphragm, disrupting breathing.
Bloat can cause severe discomfort in livestock and, in advanced cases, death.
The most common form is frothy bloat and occurs when a stable foam is created by the ingestion of legume pastures such as lucerne, medics, clover and lush grasses, which trap natural gases that cannot be belched up.
There are some distinctive clinical signs of bloat in animals grazing high-risk pastures, including:
If cattle are in distress, this must be remedied, and veterinary advice should be obtained. While signs of bloat are usually obvious, other causes of death from similar clinical signs, such as nitrate poisoning and clostridial diseases, can occur. If producers are unsure, a veterinary examination can help determine the condition.
Producers concerned about the risk of bloat should take an integrated approach to preventing it this season. Management strategies for prevention include:
When using products, labels should be read and caution should be taken. Products should be used alongside strong management practices for the prevention of bloat.
The prevention of bloat should be of foremost importance for producers, but in cases where bloat has occurred, there are a number of treatment options, including:
A list of available treatment products and management options are available in NSW DPI’s Bloat in cattle and sheep.
Although bloat is of the greatest risk when pastures are growing and lush, producers should be mindful that issues can persist after the perceived ‘danger period’ has elapsed.
Prolonged wet seasons and green pastures can still create bloat issues, so careful monitoring and management should remain.
Ensure 5-in-1 vaccinations are up-to-date to reduce the chance of other diseases causing similar symptoms to bloat and creating confusion.
Charles Sturt University is conducting research to assess the impact of bloat in Australian beef production systems, and are inviting participation in a survey to share thoughts on bloat. The survey can be accessed at https://www.research.net/r/Bloat_survey, takes approximately 10–15 minutes to complete, and knowledge of bloat is not required
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