Industry has indicated it expects properties grazing OC treated areas with cattle to have in place auditable management plans, and after the year 2000 to meet the audit costs of those management plans. These costs need to be taken into account in future budget calculations. More reliable knowledge of OC dilution, excretion and metabolism rates in cattle has improved our capacity to manage residues in the grazing system. This can substantially reduce the requirement for on-farm testing. Summary Beef producers who wish to run breeders on land containing pesticide residues should adjust their management to minimise the financial effects of producing weaners with pesticide levels too high to be acceptable for slaughter.
Calves are to be sold as stores rather than for slaughter at weaning.
Sale of yearlings instead of weaners, with a reduction in breeder numbers. The choice depends on the amount of farm land affected and the pesticide levels of the calves at weaning. The more farm land affected and the lower the pesticide level, the earlier the calves should be sold. Advisers are available to discuss management options, and will confer with other specialists to identify every possible angle.