ON FARM NATIONAL Watch the forecast: If the La Niña forecast comes to fruition, Genetic gains: Research potential sires before bull sales it’s an opportunity to get paddocks ready to plant improved using BREEDPLAN to ensure purchases will maximise your pasture. However, planting pastures is expensive and takes genetic goals. If calving problems exist in maiden heifers, the paddock out of the grazing system for a year or two, so select bulls on their calving ease and low birth weight assess the financial implications and adjust stocking rate to estimated breeding values to join with heifers. the reduced grazing area. Take control: If ticks are present, consider strategic treatment going into the storm season. Implement feral dog controls. Col Paton Check fire breaks and conduct strategic burns. E: clpaton@bigpond.com Jill Alexander Northern Australia – north E: jillalexander@bigpond.com Condition counts: After the second-round muster Feed budget: (August–October) condition score breeders and early wean mla.com.au/feedbudget any in body condition score of 2 or less. Wean all calves aged CliMate App: climateapp.net.au four months and older. Draft off breeders with small calves or download from your app store and provide non-protein nitrogen supplementation to the most vulnerable breeders. Ensure replacement heifers are tracking BOM seasonal outlook: bom.gov.au well to meet critical mating weight and spike feed maiden Pastures in marginal cropping lands: visit heifers if pregnancy rates in first-calf cows is a problem. futurebeef.com.au and search ‘pastures for protection Health check: Vaccinate for botulism. Spay cull heifers before and production’ it gets too hot. Cull aged cows and any with broken mouths. Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries pasture establishment workshops: contact Gavin Peck Know your pastures: Diagnosis of phosphorus deficiencies on 0428 783 771 or Stuart Buck on 0427 929 187 should have occurred at the end of the last wet. If necessary, get MLA Grazing Land Management program: phosphorus supplement orders in well ahead of the wet season mla.com.au/edge as this is the most important management strategy in deficient areas. Conduct faecal near-infrared reflectance spectroscopy (FNIRS) to assess feed quality. Never graze perennial grasses down to the ground – always ensure stubble remains. Adjust stocking rates according to long-term carrying capacity. Sire management: Remove bulls if restricted joining practices are being used. Physically examine all herd bulls and cull those that are old, lame or have abnormalities of the reproductive tract. Establish clear breeding objectives so you can purchase the right sires for your business. Fire up: Check fire breaks and conduct strategic burns to protect property from bushfire threats later in the fire season. Geoff Niethe All northern regions Principal, Niethe Consultancies, northern Australia Be proactive: An ounce of prevention is worth a ton of In recognition of the different seasonal and cure. Revise your risk assessment for all endemic diseases, management decisions facing producers in parasites and toxic plants and implement the appropriate northern Australia, these tips are divided into: control measures, such as effective herd health programs. • south (south, south‑east and central Queensland) While you’re at it, develop a drought plan based on rational • north (NT, northern WA and north Queensland) decisions. Set (and stick to) critical trigger points for pasture • all northern regions. responses to ensure feed reserves are adequate to accommodate an extended dry period. ■ Northern Australia – south Take stock: Assess feed going into summer and adjust Geoff Niethe stocking rate accordingly. Take into account the impact of E: g.niethe@bigpond.com winter rain, quantity and quality of ground cover as the bulk MLA phosphorus tips and tools: of calves will fall in August–October. Welcome spring rain if it mla.com.au/phosphorus falls but don’t rely on it to get through to summer. BreedObject: breedobject.com Girl power: Develop a good heifer-management plan. Aim for BREEDPLAN: breedplan.une.edu.au a six-week calving window when replacement heifers join the MLA Grazing Land Management program: main breeder herd by ensuring maiden heifers hit their critical mla.com.au/edge mating weights at joining. Feed out protein meals to any Feed budget: mla.com.au/feedbudget heifers not on track to meet that target. 15