ON FARM NATIONAL Over the fence In this series, Feedback follows a group of producers from across Australia as they manage their operations over the course of a year and respond to the challenges that arise in a modern beef enterprise. This is the second instalment of the 2018–19 series. SNAPSHOT: SEASONAL CHALLENGES: But they’ll need some Will, Simone and With the ongoing dry, we’ve assistance to do that. Where been weighing up the value we’ve had heavy stock Mandy Onus, of all the different stock density and lot feeding Adjungbilly, NSW types and categorising what through the winter we’ve Sl is saleable and what isn’t. put in summer crop with the We also have to factor in the hope that we get some rain. associated costs of getting We planted chicory, brassica animals that aren’t worth a and clover in mid-September lot of money up to a saleable (pictured left) with a view to point. This might mean grazing it by summer. reducing heifer numbers, Our farm consultant has lambing down ewes, or been getting a lot of phone increasing weight gain on calls from me to test the Area: weaner cattle and sheep. economics of the decisions 2,630ha plus 4,850ha of There’s been a real disparity we’ve been making. For state forest lease between a light 200kg steer example, what is the rate of and a store 350kg steer, to return on the money going Enterprise: thepoint that you can’t give Steers and wool production the200kg steer away, but at into the supplementary 350kg, they’re worth some feed? What is worth feeding? ACTIVITIES Will Onus ney. We haven’t yet sold These things need to be will.onus@gmail.com mo well understood. Also what OVER THE NEXT any stock. With the leased is our expected pasture TWO MONTHS: forestry country, we’ve growth rate, what would been able to get by, but now certain rain events do, and > deciding whether to we’re having to deal with how far away from recovery finish lambs or not the inevitable. are we? Having pasture > potentially weaning WHAT’S ON MY PLATE: budgets – getting a precise calves early to We’re feeding our understanding of how much improve cow condition first-calving heifers to get available feed is in the for potential sale them up to a saleable weight paddocks and what the cattle > off-loading steers or potentially join them and are going to be consuming – into feedlots. keep going around again. has been a huge benefit. ■ 14