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What To Do With My Sheep?

With the prospect of a long dry summer ahead, some tough decisions need to be made as to what stock to keep and what to sell. Knowing the cost of feeding stock through a dry

By Department of Primary Industries - 14th December 2006 - Back to News

dry period enables forward planning and budgeting.

Key considerations to take into account are:

• The replacement value of any stock sold (breeding stock can be in high demand when feed again becomes available).
• What feeds are available to me and what is the cost of the feed?
• Have I got the equipment and resources to feed my stock?

After this assessment has been made there are some key steps that need to be taken:

1. Seek advice about the current value of your different classes of stock, your Stock Agent will assist you with this task.
2. Evaluate what feed is on hand, looking at its suitability for the classes of stock. Also estimate its current value. Fodder or grain should be tested to evaluate its feed quality levels for protein and energy. The opportunity cost of the feed on hand should also be evaluated. Selling stock and fodder and buying back in at a later date may be a better option than keeping the fodder and stock over the feed shortage period.
3. Work out how much feed your sheep will eat. For example: a large-framed dry ewe needs 57 megajoules of energy per week. The average amount of metabolisable energy in a kilogram of grain is 12.3 megajoules. The ewe's maintenance requirements could be met by feeding 57 divided by 12.3, ie 4.6 kg of barley per week. Drought Management and Feeding Sheep booklets are available from DPI offices.
4. Calculate the cost of feeding the stock, based on their relative consumption. For example: 4.6 kg per ewe times 16 weeks comes to around $22 per head.

If feeding a high proportion of the ration as grain, some problems can be experienced, such as acidosis and hypocalcaemia. Sheep need to be introduced slowly to grain rations, ensure some fibre available in the diet and watch for shy feeders. If you are not well versed with feeding grain diets to stock, consulting expert advice may be beneficial. DPI has trained staff to assist producers in evaluating farm enterprise options, developing rations and doing budgets.

For assistance contact your local DPI office or call the Customer Service Centre on 136 186.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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