Image Source: ALFA

LIVESTOCK producers are being warned to strictly adhere to grazing withholding periods and export slaughter intervals when feeding material from wheat and barley crops treated with a newly approved fungicide.

Syngenta’s fungicide Victrato is used to reduce crown rot effects in cereal crops such as wheat and barley.

The active ingredient in Victrato is cyclobutrifluram, a group 7 fungicide, which was approved by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority in March.

Industry organisations have warned people feeding stock that it is critical withholding periods and export slaughter intervals are carefully managed to ensure compliance, food safety and market access.

“Victrato is a relatively new seed treatment used to control crown rot in cereal crops such as wheat and barley and their by-products are used in feedlot rations,” said an Australian Lot Feeders Association spokesperson.

An industry notice issued by Syngenta states that the following withholding periods are included on the label to ensure Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) are not exceeded:

“Harvest: NOT required when used as directed – no residues detected in grain at harvest, therefore the feeding of harvested grain will not pose any additional restrictions on grazing animals.

“Grazing: DO NOT graze treated crops or cut for stock food for 6 weeks after sowing. This applies to both domestic and export trade markets. In the case of livestock destined for export where relevant MRLs may not exist in the export destination, remove livestock from the feed source and place on clean feed for 14 days prior to slaughter.

“After the six week withholding period for the domestic market only, livestock can graze on the crop, hay, grain or stubble with no risk of exceeding the domestic MRLs.

“Export slaughter interval: 14 days, livestock that have been grazed on or fed treated crops should be placed on clean feed for 14 days prior to slaughter – includes the crop, hay and stubble and excludes harvested grain treated with VICTRATO® at seeding. The ESI applies for all animal export commodities following slaughter including meat and offal.

“Precautions: Seed treated with VICTRATO® for the intent of seeding is not for animal or human consumption.”

MRLs threaten trade and market access

In the 1990s, cattle were found to be contaminated with Chlorfluazuron, the active constituent in the insecticide Helix, which was used on cotton.

It came from the cattle eating cotton trash and resulted in producers being denied market access and threatened Australia’s export industry.

The Australian Lot Feeders Association said it was critical the WHP and ESI requirements are carefully managed to ensure compliance, food safety and market access.

“The product label states that cattle consuming treated feed whether by grazing or consuming hay fodder must be fed clean feed for 14 days prior to slaughter for export,” said an ALFA Spokesperson.

“This adds an extra layer of management and requires additional planning and record-keeping to manage correctly.”

Image Source: ALFA

ALFA said lot feeders need to be familiar with the Victrato Industry Notice and understand the WHP and ESI requirements.

“When sourcing feed, always request a Commodity Vendor Declaration and check for any use of Victrato,” said an ALFA Spokesperson.

“If treated commodities are purchased, they should be stored separately and feeding times clearly recorded.

“Where Victrato treated feed has been used, operators must ensure the 14-day clean feed period is met before cattle are consigned to processing for export.”

Stubble a concern, not grain

A spokesperson for the APVMA said while grain from treated seed is not expected to contain quantifiable residues, parts of the plant like forage, straw, and stubble are the primary concerns, as they are directly consumed by livestock and can contain measurable residues.

“The difference is due to how the chemical is absorbed and metabolised by the plant in that it tends to accumulate in vegetative tissues rather than in the grain itself,” said the APVMA.

“The withholding period for livestock allows time for those residues to break down to levels that are safe for both domestic consumption and export.

“Observing the withholding period and placing animals on clean feed for 14 days before slaughter ensures that residues in meat and milk remain below international limits, protecting Australia’s export markets.”