Farmers Preparing for Drier Times

THE Hunter Local Land Services is holding a workshop to help local farmers manage a dry spring.

Albert Mullen, sustainable agriculture advisory officer said due to the lack of rain many farmers are looking for options to feed or sell their livestock.

“Crunch time is now looming for landholders to make staged decisions on dry season management for stock if not already in train,” said Mr Mullen.

“A dry winter has seen winter pastures not providing the feed for this time of year and older pastures from last season have been depleted and are now of no value to provide sufficient  nutrition for livestock,” he said.

“Unseasonably warm weather and windy conditions in recent weeks has impacted water supplies and heavier reliance from stock is impacting both quantity and quality of these resources,” he said.

“Hunter Local Land Services is holding a round of regional events to provide advice to landholders,” he said.

“These workshops will include advice on feeding, herd strategies, animal health and welfare as well as the long term forecast for beef markets,” Albert Mullen said.

The workshop in Scone will feature:

• Beef market update – Bernie Munroe, Robobank;
• Livestock management in dry times – Bill Hoffman, Beef Consulting;
• Poisonous plants for livestock – Sarah Giblin, Local Land Services;
• Animal health advice – Jim Keer, LLS District veterinarian, and
• Rural assistance programs – Angela Hayes, rural financial counsellor.

Following the seasonal conditions workshop people can go on a bus tour to view the pasture trials at Dartbrook to view the seed pasture trial, winter crop trials, herbicide and fencing techniques.

• WHEN: Friday, October 13: 9:30am – 12:00 – workshop; 12:30 – 3:30pm – Dartbrook trial site.
• WHERE: Local Land Service office, Scone TAFE, 2 Flemington Drive, Scone.
• COST: Free – funded by the Federal government’s National Landcare Programme.
• RSVP: Penny Evans, Hunter Local Land Services: 0417 413 026.