Скачать или смотреть Improving farm water for livestock and biodiversity

Watch this recording of the Improving Farm Water for Livestock & Biodiversity webinar for a discussion on the benefits and practicalities of providing alternative water sources for livestock on farm.

Dr Deb Bower and Dr Eric Nordberg from University of New England explain their research into livestock preferences and habitat benefits on the Northern Tablelands.

Dr Nigel Brown, Northern Tablelands Local Land Services District Vet, covers animal health and potential production benefits.

Gordon Williams, a local farmer from Uralla, discusses his experiences in managing a trough system across several decades.

Dr. Eric Nordberg – How productivity and biodiversity can benefit each other [7:55]
Global land uses [8:13]
Environmental disturbance [9:31]
Land sparing vs sharing [10:29]
Australia’s National Parks [12:34]
Livestock grazing [13:30]
Future directions [14:58]
Sustainable grazing practices [15:26]

Dr Deb Bower – The Importance of water quality in farm dams [16:33]
Production benefits of a healthy dam [17:14]
Water retention benefits [19:06]
Water quality benefits [19:38]
Role of turtles in improving water quality [20:09]
Frogs help with pest control [21:00]
Effect of management on water quality [21:48]
Current research project [23:12]

Gordon Williams – Experiences with water reticulations systems on his property [25:47]
Key issues of reticulated water systems [27:32]
Costs involved [29:11]
Dam size considerations [30:27]
Importance of filters on outlets [32:08]
Use of header tanks in a system [33:00]
Trough pad tips [34:18]
Other considerations [35:54]
Fencing dams [39:49]
Troughs [41:53]
Pipe flushing points and tap covers [42:38]
Concrete trough repair tips [43:46]
Setup for one trough to service two paddocks [44:35]

Nigel Brown – Northern Tablelands Local Land Services District Vet – Water quality and grazing stock (health and welfare) [46:46]
Water is an essential nutrient [47:10]
Function of water in livestock [48:06]
Role of water and saliva in the rumen [50:04]
Importance of a healthy rumen [52:21]
Water sources for livestock [53:33]
Suitability of water for consumption [54:26]
How water quality affects intake {54:50]
How environmental factors affect intake [56:46]
Animal factors and intake [57:30]
Intake requirements [1:00:06]
Effects of limited/poor water quality [1:00:18]
Increased production from clean water [1:02:52]
Distance between watering points effects [1:03:57]
Livestock diseases affect by water [1:04:44]
Other problems associated with water sources (dam, creeks) [1:05:46]
Cleaning water [1:05:58]
Take home messages [1:06:33]

Audience Questions
What is the best type of fencing that will allow for wildlife access and livestock exclusion? [1:07:57]
What is the importance of vegetation connectivity for biodiversity within and around farm dams? [1:11:57]
What is the best density of water plants on a dam? What control techniques could be used where densities may exceed acceptable limits? [1:12:55]
What practices can be used to keep troughs clean of algae? [1:14:16]
Gordon, how easy or difficult has it been to identify the benefits of a reticulated water system on Eastlake? [1:17:04]
Where there have been instances of fish kills in dams, would an aeration device help eliminate anaerobic material in the dam? [1:20:23]
Nigel, what are your recommendations for using copper sulphate to clean water for goats? [1:22:44]