ON FARM NATIONAL James Whale David Harbison Farm business and livestock consultant, Principal agronomist, DR Agriculture, NSW Central Meridian Agriculture, south-west Victoria Tablelands and Slopes If seasonal conditions continue to be favourable, a common A terrific autumn through central NSW followed three tough situation facing producers in this region will be how to best years. Many producers will have significant dry matter use surplus feed. Many grazing businesses produce around and not enough stock on hand to eat it, which creates the two‑thirds of their annual grass production during the opportunity to give key paddocks an extended rest. months of spring. There are many options available to use Pre‑spring clean: If you haven’t already, plan a ‘winter this growth and the variability between businesses in how clean’ program in late July–August. Assess paddocks for well they capture the opportunity is enormous. desirable perennial and sub-clover content. Determine which Take stock: The key decisions to be made at this time of paddocks need an extended rest into spring to gain the most year are: from rejuvenation. • How should pasture quality and quantity be managed to Renovator’s delight: Plan now for which pasture paddocks optimise livestock performance? may need full renovation in years to come. What actions are • Should nitrogen fertiliser be used to increase pasture required in the next six to eight weeks to set those plans growth, animal performance or create surplus feed? If so, in place? how much should be used and when? Be on the front foot: Fodder conservation is an opportunity to • Can livestock trading or agistment be used to take advantage of surplus feed and restock hay sheds. Take increase returns? action now to destock, fertilise and implement late broadleaf • How much conserved fodder needs to be produced this year? control to achieve the best dry matter yield and hay quality. Health check: Develop a spring animal health management Weed alert: An explosion of broadleaf weeds, along with plan which outlines management actions and critical dates good sub-clover emergence, will create a challenge to to mitigate against the high productivity impact of common address broadleaf weeds. Monitor other species such as animal health issues such as internal parasites. annual grass weeds, vulpia and barley grass which could Forecast feed: Use pasture-forecasting tools to develop cause problems in two to three months and plan future management strategies to meet pasture targets and optimise management now. It’s not just the usual suspects – be on the livestock performance. lookout for weed species introduced with purchased fodder. Monitor sacrifice paddocks (areas where hay, grain or silage Work on your business: Business planning helps sharpen was fed) and seek assistance if the weed identity is unknown. business focus. A good business plan incorporates a Prioritise pastures: Keep younger stock and breeders on financial plan which lays the blueprint for planned business the best quality feed, while dry stock can be used to manage expenditure, investment, off-farm needs and forecast financial more mature feed. Be aware of the potential for bloat where performance. Revisit this plan at least once a year. Business there is good sub-clover emergence. planning is also an opportunity to check in on the needs and aspirations of individuals within the business and what the business is working towards. David Harbison E: david@dragriculture.com.au James Whale MLA Grazing EDGE course: mla.com.au/edge E: jwhale@meridian‑ag.com.au Pasture assessment courses: mla.com.au/pgs FARMAX pasture forecasting and management Soil testing: mbfp.mla.com.au software: farmax.co.nz/products/Australia (More Beef from Pastures, module 2, tool 2.10) Lifetime Ewe Management: Pasture winter clean: lifetimewool.com.au/LTEM.aspx Visit youtube.com.au/meatandlivestock Evergraze: evergraze.com.au and search ‘winter clean agronomy’ 13