ON FARM SHEEP ent back to basics Jayne said they’ve made two “For us it was just not SNAPSHOT: changes in response: being rigorous enough in Craig and Jayne Drum, • pushing lambing back to optimising our feed supply Tatyoon (south the end of April and understanding the S impact on animal growth. of Ararat), Victoria • providing a green food source if possible for “It’s a complex business lambing (such as sowing when you’re growing crops earlier grazing crops and, and running livestock, but in 2020, introducing a nowadays every paddock is summer crop). a feed source at some stage and there are decisions to be They sowed fodder rape and made about that every day.” lucerne in September to take advantage of summer storms Jayne said she’s found the Area: and expect it to provide balance of group discussion 240ha feed for pregnant ewes in with one‑on‑one time with February and/or March. Cam very beneficial. Enterprise: Mixed farming with a Merino “I’ve learnt through measuring “When we sat down with Cam ewe flock and opportunity drymatter and developing andmapped out our pasture sheep trading feedhe year and ourbudgetsover andovergrowth for t againuction system,odsheep prprogram, thatin this I Livestock: was generally overestimating it was clear what changes 200 Merino ewes joined how much feed was could be made to our system to Suffolks for first‑cross available,” Craig said. and both the expected lamb production; trading production and financial an additional 200–300 “It’s why sheep were taking outcomes,” she said. lambs a year longer to reach target weights than I’d anticipated.”“Both of us knew these Pasture: The Drums believe better fundamentals from our work Sub‑clover based with feedase management is ab and uni days but the programhas reminded us to put themphalaris and ryegrass springboard for growing their into practice.” Soil: business – a theory they’re Clay over very heavy clay testing out by moving into As they improve feedbase trading lambs to turn events management, Craig said Rainfall: such as failed crops into it will support their next 550mm opportunities. challenge – lifting their lamb weaning rates. Craig Drum faced was the need for ewes “The PGS style E: craig@dagro.com.au to lamb from 1 April, to fit inof delivering “If we know we’re meeting ewe feed requirements Cam Nicholson with demands of activities on learning through better all year round, then E: cam@nicolrural.com.au and off the farm. we can work on the other group sessions MLA’s Profitable “The ideal would be to have factors which impact lamb Grazing Systems ewes lambing in green and one‑on‑one numbers, such as genetics,” mla.com.au/pgs pastures but, while we learning means he said. ■ get lots of rain, we’re in a you can really get Mediterranean‑type climate where summer rainfall is very to the bottom of low,” Craig said. your challenges The PGS training helped and sort out what’s the Drums identify this gap holding you back,” and understand how their pastures were performing. Craig said. 31