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Stock Issues For Summer And Autumn

As we head into the hot and dry time of the year livestock owners are reminded that they must ensure their animals have adequate food and water at all times.

By Department of Primary Industries - 19th January 2005 - Back to News

Here are some points to keep in mind over the summer and autumn period:

• Do I have enough water to carry animals through until May next year?
• Do I have the resources (money, time, and equipment) to feed my animals the required amounts until May next year?
• How much will it cost me?
• Is it worth it?
• What will it cost to replace my animals at the end of the dry period?

Spring and early summer this year have had periods of substantial rainfall which have improved supplies of feed and water but, to be on the safe side, plan for little rain before May 2005.

Water: This is the most important issue: a lactating cow will drink 60 litres of water a day. This coupled with evaporation over the hot summer months, means that dams empty very quickly. For more information see DPI's Landcare Note (LC0073) 'How long will my dam water last?’ Work out if your dam water will last through to May. If not, consider selling stock now.

Feeding: Even if you have enough water to carry stock through, are you prepared to feed every day, or every second day, for the next 6 months? Very time consuming and a real tie to the farm.

Selling: If feed and water are already in short supply a realistic option may be to sell stock now and replace them at the end of the dry period. You will be saving money, time, pasture and soil resources. There will be less stress on you and your family. Take the time to talk to your livestock agent.

Don't overgraze: Overgrazing pastures so that bare soil is visible increases risks of soil being blown away over the summer and washed away during summer thunderstorms. Your soil and pasture are valuable resources. Most of the important nutrients are in the topsoil, so don't let it blow or wash onto someone else's property.

For further information, or if you would like copies of the drought feeding books for sheep and cattle, please contact your local DPI office. The DPI website of www.dpi.vic.gov.au has a range of information sheets, which will also be off assistance.

DEVELOPING A FIRE PLAN FOR LIVESTOCK

The development of a fire plan that can be quickly implemented in the event of a fire can help to prevent stock losses. One of the key factors in minimising risk to stock is to identify the safest areas on the farm.

On days of extreme fire danger stock should be moved to lower risk areas. Listen to the radio and observe your own environment to help you decide when to put your plan into action.

Lower fire risk areas include paddocks with green summer crops or lucerne, bare paddocks with no dry feed or a ploughed paddock. Firebreaks are imperative. They may be a bare laneway or a ploughed break. Cattle and sheep can be held in yards with bare or ploughed surrounds, which can be wet in advance, however the yards must be well defended as the fire front passes.

In the case of horses they should not be locked up in small areas or stables, but rather be moved into an open lower risk paddock so they can move freely. Horses are good at moving to safe open areas and suffer minimal burns if left to do so. All equipment including rugs, halters and flyveils should be removed as the plastic may melt and buckles may burn the animal. More information is available on the DPI website of www.dpi.vic.gov.au. Select Notes Information Series, then Animals and Livestock, next Horses, then Horses and bushfires.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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