ON FARM NATIONAL SEASONAL MESSAGES Basil Doonan Col Paton Jill Alexander Principal consultant, Macquarie Franklin, Tasmania Director, EcoRich Director, Applied Grazing, northern Ag, northern Autumn was kind to Tasmanian producers. Many were Australia Australia able to finish additional animals or turn‑off stock at higher weights and are coming into spring with a strong cash Conditions will be variable across northern Australia coming position, good feed and good condition on animals. into spring. Some areas had good rainfall and exceptional Match maker: At this time of year, it’s challenging to marry pasture growth last summer, but the concentrated feed supply with animal performance. Things move quickly two‑month growing season meant pastures hayed off and and producers need to get the balance right, so keep an eye went to seed quickly. Other areas had another failed season. on animal condition and feed. Early weaning is always an Turning point: This season will be a turning point for many option, regardless of the season, to optimise the productive pastures. Some subsoil moisture creates potential for a more and welfare outcomes for stock. typical or early start to the growing season and there’s plenty Budget savvy: Continuously monitoring feed budgets of seed ready to germinate. If producers can give this new and cash flow budgets will determine the onset of spring seed time to germinate and establish before applying too and whether you need to buy supplement or accelerate much grazing pressure, there’s potential for land condition purchasing stock. to improve. Food for thought: Grazing rotation is a powerful tool and, Pasture recovery: It takes at least two good growing seasons when based on plant morphology, can result in 50% more to improve land condition, so plan resting strategies for feed. Consider temporarily speeding up grazing rotations to paddocks hit by recent drought. In more intensive areas, avoid pasture damage at this time of year. Assess feed quality consider sowing pastures in paddocks where land condition (kilograms of dry matter per hectare) using visual assessment, is very low and would be slow to recover. Plan forage options pasture rulers or plate meters. Each method is a formal (such as forage sorghum) for summer to help reduce pressure evaluation and preferable to bumbling along in the dark. on recovering paddocks. Start preparations for forage crops and sowing pastures now. Early intervention: Use soil testing and feed budgets to Kickstart growth: The initial growth rate of pastures will determine fertiliser decisions for the season ahead. Make an be restricted if nutrients tied up in organic matter grown early assessment if feed is below target, while there are more last summer aren’t converted into a plant-available form. options. For example, if feed gaps are identified six to eight Soil testing in early spring will determine if pastures will weeks in advance, you can use cheaper strategies such as benefit from fertiliser to accelerate early growth in intensive, nitrogen and gibberellic acid. high-production areas. Be on the front foot: This time of the year tends to be Take stock: A mid-dry-season forage budget in July–August operationally busy, so get as much planning done as possible will assess if feed will last until the next production point. in autumn and winter so you can focus on setting up for the Aim to retain at least 10–15cm of pasture stubble in the season, including monitoring against budgets. paddocks going into summer to accelerate the response to season-breaking rain and ensure topsoil is retained. Basil Doonan E: bdoonan@macfrank.com.au Lighten the load: Aim to have stock numbers lowest in late Feed budget: mla.com.au/feedbudget spring and early summer. Allow stock numbers to increase naturally so extra stock are not outstripping pasture supplies Pasture Principles: during pasture recovery. macquariefranklin.com.au or mla.com.au/events Rest up: Where possible, plan torest, or at least reduce Business principles: grazing pressure in paddocks early in the growing season mla.com.au/edge or mla.com.au/back‑to‑business until at least phase 2 of growth (bulk vegetative growth just Condition scoring sheep: before seeding) to allow last year’s seed to germinate and makingmorefromsheep.com.au (module 11, tool 11.2) establish its root and shoot system. ⊲ Condition scoring cattle: mbfp.mla.com.au (module 5, tool 5.2) 14