ON FARM NORTHERN CATTLE ANIMAL HEALTHZ Managing phosphorus P is for p deficiencies in Strategic northern herds phosphorus (P) supplementation has allowed Queensland Phosphorus (P) deficiency Nigel said the new brochure contains beef producers Rob and is a serious nutritional the latest research findings into Ainsley McArthur to issue for many northern P and highlights the benefits of boost the productivity Australian cattle herds supplementing cattle with P. and profitability of their and can cause major losses in “The brochure summarises the key entire business. productivity and profitability. points of the second edition of the longstanding MLA manual Phosphorus About 12 years ago, the To help northern beef producers identify management of beef cattle in northern couple recorded low and combat P deficiency in their herds, Australia, published in 2012,” Nigel said. conception rates in their MLA has developed a new brochure: breeder herd, as well as low Whydo cattle need phosphorus? A “MLA has placed a high level of growth rates across their guidefor northern beef producers. importance on P research over the commercial herd. years. Supplementation throughout the The easy‑to‑read, eight‑page brochure year to animals that need P the most They decided to dig deeper to includes advice on how to identify a P has been proven to boost productivity identify the cause and found deficiency, what the impact is and how and reproductive performance in an unexpected problem. to develop a P supplementation plan northern beef herds.” ■ on extensive grazing properties. Their region isn’t typically associated with low soil MLA Program Manager – Research and Nigel Tomkins phosphorus levels, but given Development Grassfed Beef, Dr Nigel E: ntomkins@mla.com.au their herd’s performance, the Tomkins, said some beef producers For more information on phosphorus McArthurs decided not to may not realise their herd is P deficient and to download a copy of Why do rule out P deficiency. and may not be aware of the benefits cattle need phosphorus?A guide fo r “It wasn’t until we got of P supplementation. northern beef produce , visrs it: our specific property lot “Cattle need P for almost every vital mla.com.au/phosphorus numbers assessed with the function of the body. It’s used for building Consult your local agriculture Queensland Department bones and teeth, metabolising fat, department for advice on the best of Agriculture and Fisheries carbohydrates and protein, producing milk way to test for phosphorus for land and soil types and and influencing feed intake,” Nigel said. deficiency or consider joining completed Near Infrared “Deficiencies often arise in northern MLA’s P Challenge in 2021 Reflectance Spectroscopy Australian production systems because (details available in late 2020). (NIRS) faecal monitoring for most soils here have lower available P an indication of diet quality, compared with southern Australia. This that we learned areas of our means there’s often insufficient P in the property were P deficient,” pasture to meet animal requirements. Rob said. “The cattle which have the “Despite paddocks on creek flats showing adequate P highest P requirements levels in NIRS results, these are growing stock, paddocks weren’t enough to late‑pregnancy heifers and offset P deficiencies on the balance of our land types. cows, and lactating cows.” “Learning about the different Benefits of phosphorus supplementation land types of our property enabled us to take a targeted approach.” Supplementation strategy To ensure P supplementation was cost‑effective, Rob 15–30% 6–12% Up to 130kg and Ainsley set specificproduction goals. Initially, increase in increase in increase in these were: weaning rates birth weights breeder cow live weights 12