Three ways to keep stock safe from the mice plague

NSW is currently experiencing high numbers of mice in cropping regions and mice numbers are only expected to increase as spring approaches.  

Producers running livestock in these areas should take steps to ensure the red meat products they produce are safe to eat.  

To remain accredited with the Livestock Production Assurance (LPA) program and access LPA National Vendor Declarations (NVDs), you must adhere to specific on-farm management practices in relation to food safety, animal welfare and biosecurity. These practices include correct management of mice and mice baits to prevent contamination of livestock.  

There are three ways producers in mice-affected areas can ensure their livestock are not contaminated by mice or mice baits.  

1. Avoid feeding stock hay contaminated by mice 

Hay that has been contaminated or eaten away by mice should not be fed to livestock.  

Mouse urine left in hay can spread leptospirosis (commonly known as ‘lepto’) to cattle, which can result in abortion in affected livestock. Any dead mice carcases in the hay, if consumed by livestock, can also cause botulism. Botulism causes paralysis and eventual death in sheep and cattle.  

2. Vaccinate livestock against disease 

If feeding cattle hay that may have come into contact with mice, producers should vaccinate their cattle for leptospirosis. It is also recommended that producers in mice-affected areas vaccinate their sheep and cattle for botulism, regardless of whether feeding hay or not, as mice carcases in paddocks can be ingested by livestock and transfer the disease.  

As always, producers should ensure that any chemical treatments administered to livestock are documented in their farm records. Records of livestock treatments are required to maintain LPA accreditation and access LPA NVDs. A template for producers to record livestock treatments can be downloaded from the ISC website.  

When vaccinating livestock, it is also important producers seek veterinary advice when required. More information on vaccinating livestock is also available on the Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) website.  

3. Restrict livestock access to some baited areas  

Zinc phosphide bait can now be used in NSW to control mice, under certain conditions outlined in the permit granted by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA). Conditions for the use of this bait are available on the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) website.  

Producers should not allow livestock to graze areas baited with zinc phosphide for 14 days after application of the bait, to avoid contamination.