Vets Praise Local Farmers

HUNTER Local Land Service veterinarians have praised farmers in the Upper Hunter for managing the health of their animals during one of the worst droughts in living memory.

Dr Jane Bennett, Upper Hunter district veterinarian for the LLS said the majority of cattle coming through the sale yards are in remarkably good health considering the season.

“Given the challenges in sourcing quality feed and the cold, harsh winter we have just faced the fact so many producers are still turning off quality cattle is a sign of how robust local farmers are,”  said Dr Bennett.

“A lot of people who were trying to hold onto stock are now choosing to destock further, often cutting into their core breeding herd or fully destocking and we know this is an incredibly difficult time,” she said.

“With many animals now calving and the cows requiring additional nutrition to feed offspring, it is more important than ever to be making those tough decisions early,” she said.

“As with last spring we will be advocating for producers maintaining breeding stock to wean early where possible, as it seems we are facing an uncertain forecast in the near future,”  Dr Jane Bennett said.

While the majority of the cattle have been in excellent condition, Hunter Local Land Services have been assisting the RSPCA with some welfare cases in the region.

The LLS said no producers have deliberately let stock condition slip, but the high cost and lack of available feed has led to some difficult situations.

The team from Hunter Local Land Services including the vet team, agricultural extension officers, regional livestock officers and beef industry experts are on hand to discuss herd health an nutrition one on one with landholders and drought drop in sessions are planned for the coming weeks.

Local Land Service contacts:

• Jane Bennett, district veterinarian: 0427 322 311;
• Sarah Giblin, agricultural extension officer: 0409 785 172;
• Bill Hoffman, independent beef consultant: 0458 505 999.

Hunter Local Land Services said producers in the Upper Hunter are doing a good job with animal health during the drought. Photo: Hunter LLS.