Extended periods of extreme wet weather can severely impact cattle nutrition. Restricted access to pasture can lead to poor gut function, increasing the risk of sickness. Additionally, when pasture moisture content exceeds 80% it can restrict voluntary intake levels and it is difficult for stock to eat enough pasture to meet their nutritional requirements. This can result in rapid loss of condition, and cattle can start to consume poisonous plants, as they search for dry matter.

Management strategies

To support cattle health during prolonged wet conditions, consider the following strategies:

• Provide dry matter/roughage: offer any available dry matter or roughage. Low-quality hay is acceptable, provided it is not mouldy.
• Support weak animals: isolate particularly weak animals and supplement their diet with an energy source such as molasses or pellets in addition to roughage.
• Utilise breaks in the weather: use temporary improvement in conditions, to yard animals and administer animal health treatments.
• Monitor for disease risks: wet weather increases the likelihood of specific cattle diseases. Stay vigilant for any emerging health concerns.

The most critical factor in maintaining cattle health is ensuring access to sufficient dry matter to keep the rumen functioning properly.

Health issues

Be on the lookout for the following cattle diseases that can occur during a wet weather event:

• parasites
• plant poisoning
• foot diseases
• infectious diseases such as botulism
• clostridial (mainly blackleg) and leptospiral (leptospirosis) infections
• vector-transmitted diseases such as 3-day sickness.

For more information please visit:

Animal health after a flood (Business Queensland) →

Learnings from previous flood events →

or, your local beef extension officer or veterinarian.