The Department of Agriculture, Western Australia is encouraging farmers to check their paddocks for annual ryegrass toxicity (ARGT) after a number of cases have been reported this season.

Department veterinary officer Don Moir said the area where ARGT was normally found had increased this year.

“ARGT usually occurs in the northern, central and southern wheatbelt areas where crop and pasture rotation is practiced,” Dr Moir said.

“This year there has been more reports of ARGT on the fringes of this area, which includes Three Springs, Dandaragan, Beverley, Pingelly, Cape Riche and east of Merredin.

To assist farmers to monitor their paddocks for ARGT, the Department has developed a testing kit that is simple and easy to use.

Dr Moir said the kit contained an overview of ARGT, an instruction sheet, submission form, plastic sample bags and free return-post envelope.

“Farmers need to collect a 200 gram sample of ryegrass seed heads made up of around 100 grab samples from different locations of a single paddock,” Dr Moir said

“A number of samples are required to ensure all areas where sheep could possibly graze, including boundary fences, contour banks and creek lines, are covered in the test.

“Hay, grain or pasture can be tested using the ARGT kit.  Once a sample is collected, the farmer needs to fill in the submission form and return it with the sample to the Department.

“The sample will then be tested and results conveyed to the farmer.”

Dr Moir said cases of ARGT in livestock were normally seen from September in pastures, but as farmers completed their harvest, it may also be found in stubble paddocks.

He said signs that sheep with ARGT may display include stiffness in movement, collapse and in some cases convulsions and death. Signs are exacerbated by disturbing or driving over a short distance.

Dr Moir said to prevent the spread of ARGT, farmers should observe basic biosecurity measures with feed or machinery coming on to their property.

“Farmers who buy hay or fodder, should check to see if the source property has any reported cases of ARGT, or if they are unsure have the feed tested,” he said.

Dr Moir said there was an opportunity for growers on the fringe of the affected areas to get ahead of ARGT by treating paddocks with the twist fungus biological control agent to reduce the level of bacterial infection.

“The twist fungus takes some years to build up and significantly reduce the levels of ARGT, so the earlier it is applied, the better,” he said.

“Many growers in Western Australia have already used twist fungus in conjunction with other management techniques such as spraytopping.”

The ARGT testing kits and information on twist fungus are available from all Department offices.