SUGAR companies and major molasses suppliers have agreed to release their contracted molasses supplies to the State's drought-hit cattle producers battling to keep stock alive, but only if an imported replacement shipment can be organised.
In response, AgForce and Queensland Dairyfarmers Organisation have launched an urgent online survey to garner producer support for such a deal, with the minimum importation amount between 8000 and 14,000 tonnes at a price in the vicinity of $200 a tonne to $250/t at port.
If the contracted supplies were released to producers and a replacement shipment organised, the contracted molasses would have to be sold at the overseas replacement price and it would have to be paid for in advance.
All producers, regardless of whether they are AgForce members or not, are now being encouraged to fill in the survey to allow industry to understand the pricing and timing of a potential import deal to allow supply to resume.
The survey is at: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/QDO AgForcemolasdem
If molasses is imported, possibly from Thailand or other South East Asian sugar-producing countries, it won't be the first time Queensland producers have had to resort to overseas supplies - in 1999 and 2005 similar situations occurred.
This week's action follows an urgent conference call made by Primary Industries Minister Tim Mulherin and AgForce with major molasses suppliers as ongoing dry conditions impact on breeding herds.
"Producers have been seeking molasses as a much-needed feed supplement as the condition of stock deteriorates, but virtually all molasses held by sugar companies in Queensland is already committed," Mr Mulherin said.
"With Queensland in the grip of a strong El Nino event, we face a likely late start to the summer wet season, which means this problem will only become more urgent.
"The sugar companies have agreed to release their contracted molasses, but only if replacement supplies can be organised. The released molasses would be at the import price, and the release would not occur until sufficient orders and upfront payments were made to cover the cost of imports.
"I thank the sugar companies for assisting at this time of need, and now we need to make sure there is sufficient demand and firm commitments to enable the shipment to be organised.
"Producers in drought declared areas or with an Individually Droughted Property (IDP) declaration have access to freight subsidies on the transport of fodder and water for livestock under the Drought Relief Assistance Scheme.
"These subsidies would greatly assist with the transport costs for molasses. We will work with any producers who believe they may be eligible for an IDP to urgently assess their application."
AgForce president John Cotter said AgForce would work with producers to gauge realistic demand because of the high cost of imported molasses, and given that upfront payment would be required.
"AgForce has been working on this issue for some time, collecting information and leading the push for beef producers to seek individual drought declarations for their properties. We are stepping up our efforts now that we have hit December with no relief. However, I was encouraged by the attitude of sugar companies during our phone hook-up."
With access to molasses-based energy and protein supplements exhausted, Ken Murphy, Rockhampton-based senior beef cattle extension officer with Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, said while there are still some commercial liquid mixes being marketed that contain molasses and dunder, this form of supplementation has insufficient energy and protein content to sustain lactating cows.
Mr Murphy said cattle producers will now have to work with stockfeed suppliers to source whole cottonseed or copra meal, copra pellets or other limited lines of protein meals.
"Cottonseed is also in short supply and stocks will not be replenished until ginning of the 2010 cotton harvest gets under way in March," Mr Murphy said.
"Whole cottonseed fed at 2kg to 3kg a head a day for lactating cows or 2kg or less for dry cattle depending on seasonal conditions will provide enough protein and energy to maintain the animals.
"When feeding copra products, 1kg/head/day will maintain a breeder.
"If resorting to a grain supplement, cracked sorghum or wheat fed at a rate of 3kg to 4kg/head/day into troughs will carry them through, or alternatively use a self- feeder and reduce the grain flow to match the required intake."
Mr Murphy said there was no doubt that early weaning was a recommended management option to save the breeders.
"Small calves in the 60-80kg live-weight range can be fed with a 19 to 20pc high protein weaner mix containing monensin as an active ingredient to pre-vent coccidiosis (scours). Those calves at 80kg+ should be fed a commercial weaner mix containing 15pc protein.
"Once the calves are taken off the nutritionally stressed lactating cows, they can be supplemented with a loose supplement mix based on salt and a high- protein meal such as cottonseed meal."
Mr Murphy said all drought supplementation feeding programs represented a significant financial commitment, and while selling drought-impacted cattle was an option, trucking poor conditioned stock raised animal welfare issues.
* Producers who are not in Drought Declared Shires can apply for Individually Droughted Property status by contacting DEEDI on 132 523.
* The following DEEDI extension staff can be contacted for feeding advice: Ken Murphy, Rockhampton, 4936 0337; Russ Tyler, Gayndah, 4161 3726; Alan Laing, Ayr, 4720 5115; Desiree Jackson, Longreach, 4650 1223; and Roger Sneath, Dalby, 4669 0808
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