Seasonal advice for farmers in the Northern Tablelands
As seasonal conditions begin to improve, many producers are facing a challenging transition period. Recent rain has brought a welcome green pick across parts of the region, but pasture growth remains slow due to short days, cold temperatures and limited feed bulk.
This recent episode of the Productive Producer podcast discusses practical feeding strategies to help sheep and cattle producers manage feed shortages while preparing for improved pasture growth.
Topics covered include:
- why green feed doesn't always mean there is enough feed available
- how winter conditions affect pasture growth and livestock nutrition
- managing the gap between current feed supplies and future pasture availability
- using supplements strategically rather than as a one-size-fits-all solution
- matching supplements to different classes of sheep and cattle
- balancing animal performance, feed costs and animal health during seasonal change.
Need to feed
- Free feed, water and soil testing available - Local Land Services can support farmers through the decision-making process with expert staff, resources and free feed tests, water tests and soil tests. Call your local office on 1300 795 299.
- Confinement feeding sheep and cattle - With the current seasonal conditions, you may already be feeding or considering feeding your livestock. There are additional considerations when formulating a balanced diet, so if you are unsure about feed quality or ration development, contact your local livestock nutrition expert.
- Maintaining groundcover - Experience from recent droughts shows that how groundcover is managed during dry times plays a major role in how quickly paddocks recover once rain returns.
- The Northern Tablelands Regional Weed Committee are asking landholders to look out for parthenium weed (Parthenium hysterophorus). While parthenium weed is not currently known to be in the Northern Tablelands, it is 'Prohibited Matter' in NSW and could spread to the region. It poses significant risk to production and human health.
- Weeds in hay - Buying hay from Queensland? Be aware of fire ant restrictions if supplementing feed with hay from Queensland.
Seasonal conditions
Use the DPIRD seasonal rainfall outlook and drought indicator for the Northern Tablelands region to forecast for the season ahead.
Find out what's happening in the Northern Tablelands
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- View our events page to see what's happening near you.
Contact Local Land Services NSW
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