This year has been very trying for farmers after a good start and following last year’s drought. Livestock management will be difficult over the coming summer but farmers value the risk management role of livestock in their system. Last year farmers did a good job of maintaining their stock and protecting their paddocks. However, the second year in a row and higher grain prices, presents new problems.

Rural Solutions SA will run workshops on livestock drought management as part of the national program, Stockwise, funded by AWI, MLA and PIRSA.

The workshops will be tailored to meet local needs and will provide a great opportunity for producers to have information at their fingertips as they plan for the New Year. They will be able to get answers to issues they have on livestock nutrition and management in dry times.

Topics will include
* The role stock play in risk management
* Is it worth feeding stock at current grain prices?
* Alternatives to confinement feeding
* Extracting the most out of what feed is in the paddock
* Pros and cons of alternative fodder
* What farmers learnt from last year, what could have been done better - especially to reduce the costs
* Condition scoring and weight targets over summer to reduce the feeding cost.
* Issues brought up by the farmers

Workshops will be held in shearing sheds and yards where sheep can be condition scored. They will be discussion meetings rather than information from a lot of speakers. They will start at 1.30pm and conclude with a few drinks and a BBQ tea. There will not be a cost.

The meeting are all in December and are at these locations.

Charra  Thursday 6th
Wirrulla  Friday 7th
Piednippie  Monday 10th
Wudinna  Tuesday 11th
Kimba  Wednesday 12th
Cowell/Cleve Thursday 13th

Further details will be provided closer to the date. For more information contact Brian Ashton on 8688 3403.

AUTHOR: Brian Ashton, Senior Livstock Consultant, Rural Solutions SA

CONTACT: Brian Ashton, Rural Solutions SA Pt Lincoln Office, Telephone (08) 8688 3403, Email ashton.brian@saugov.sa.gov.au