DPI Getting Back into Production meetings:

Information: Graeme Pollard, Shire of Strathbogie. Tel. (03) 5795 2010 or your community representatives Tom Crocker, Neil Garrett, Howard Myers, Reg Davis.

Important points.

Excellent presented by DPI staff - Lyndon Kubeil and Stuart Warner and Tony Kelly, Elders District Agronomist

If it does not rain:

Critical point now is to ensure you have sufficient roughage (hay) to get through the winter months. Stock need roughage to ruminate and keep warm. You will experience stock losses if you do not feed minimum 20% roughage.
Lambing ewes will suffer from twin lambing disease if not fed adequately.
Grain and pellets are available through a number of sources.
Hay is in very very short supply.
Do budgets for feed and make the decisions which you must.

If it does rain:

Critical point is to ensure you have sufficient roughage (hay) as above.
Reduce grain/pellet ration slowly and introduce green feed very slowly (as you did when introducing to grain.)
Beware of poisoning from capeweed and phalaris.
Do not graze pastures until they reach 3-4 leaf stage at least to allow plants to grow.
Consider allowing pastures to grow for 3-4 weeks prior to grazing to provide a feed wedge.

We are entering a critical stage of decision making which largely depends on financial capacity - few have the resources to feed indefinitely so it is important to make these decisions now.

Stock deaths are most likely from now on due to cold weather and insufficient roughage. Stock deaths are also most likely when green feed is available and the change from hand feeding to grazing occurs. Both must be managed very carefully.

For details/interview call the Editor on (03) 5798 1858