Animal feeding and nutrition

Use different equipment for handling chemicals and feed stuffs

Never mix agricultural chemicals and/or veterinary chemicals in equipment or facilities used to handle feed or water for dairy livestock. Residues can remain on equipment or cross contamination can occur via spills, air dispersal, back-siphoning effects etc.

Ensure chemicals are used appropriately on pastures and forage crops and observe withholding periods

Maintain stringent paddock records of all chemical applications to crops and pastures and ensure grazing withholding periods are closely observed.

Always follow the label for application rates and withholding times before allowing animals access to a treated field for grazing or forage harvesting.  

Always follow regulated processes for spray technologies.  Check pasture for signs of pesticide drift. Look for signs of herbicide damage on forage plants.

If signs are present, investigate further before allowing animals to graze. Be aware of the potential for spray drift when applying agricultural chemicals to pastures and crops.

Take adequate precautions when allowing stock to drink the water after spray applications.

Find out about the past and present use of chemicals on your farm and neighbouring properties as spray drift may be a potential source of residues.

When buying fodder or land, always obtain information on the paddock’s previous history of agricultural chemical use and/or conduct a soil or plant test if residues are suspected.

Only use approved chemicals for treatment of animal feeds or components of animal feeds and observe withholding periods

Only chemicals approved for use in dairy operations should be used. Chemicals should be managed in a manner that avoids their accidental introduction into the feed and water and, as a result, into milk.

Use chemicals in accordance with manufacturers’ recommendations. Check labels of all chemicals that are to be used around, on or in feeds or pastures for compatibility with food-producing animals, withholding requirements for milk, and proper application rates and concentration of products.

Withholding periods may also apply to pastures, forage crops and stored grains if they have been treated with an agricultural chemical. Different withholding periods may apply if the crop is also intended for human consumption.