With below average winter rainfall and high temperatures during August, a number of regions across the state are experiencing a below average season.

While recent rains have provided temporary relief for some areas, rainfall distribution and levels have been variable and some areas are still struggling, particularly in the low rainfall cereal zone.

In 2006 the drought was a new experience for many people in the high rainfall zone.  It was a steep learning curve. Containment feeding was a new but useful management practice for most producers. People in the mid to lower rainfall areas had lower stock numbers, were more experienced and managed the situation.

This year the low rainfall cereal zone is facing a second consecutive dry season, which brings different issues compared with last year and will add to the current burdens and hardships.

Many producers have already removed surplus stock from the system, leaving them with good breeding stock and lambs. This makes the decision to sell stock more difficult as further reductions in the breeding flock will take time to rebuild.

Paddock feed is also short with little or no dry feed residue carry-over from 2006 and poor pasture growth in 2007. There could be very little soil surface cover on pasture paddocks going into summer this year. Failed cereal crops are very sparse and grazing should be deferred until the autumn or grazed carefully for short periods to maintain ground cover and minimise the risk of erosion.

Supplementary feed supplies are currently low and the outlook is expensive. However it is envisaged that there will be an average hay cut through the mid rainfall zone. Some early cut hay is already on the market and may provide an adequate containment ration, but it would need a Feedtest. There will also be grain off the headers at harvest. Some grain may only be “feed quality” if there is inadequate moisture to finish crops and will be available for livestock. Energy levels can drop away, in these grains so get them tested.

The major current operational decisions for livestock producers to consider are whether to feed, sell or agist stock or a combination of these.

Feed – hand feeding costs for ewes vary depending on their pregnancy status, availability of paddock feed, the energy content of feed and feed price. Using figures from Table 1, maintenance feeding of dry/early pregnant ewes for approximately seven months may cost around $42/ewe and April lambing ewes around $57 per ewe (Table 2). The time commitment involved in confinement feeding can be demanding and must also be considered.

Table 1: Approximate energy requirements of ewes to maintain condition and monthly feed costs for full supplementation

Sell – Stock are currently in good condition and therefore saleable. Opportunities from selling stock may include investment of sale proceeds, better performance of remaining stock and improvements in flock genetics. However there are also a number of disadvantages that need to be weighed up including the cost of restocking, difficulty in sourcing stock, loss of genetics and disease/weed risks with replacement.  Sale may be the only option for some to generate cash flow for household and debt payments.

Agist – There may be opportunities for agistment if the higher rainfall zone receives good spring rains.

Producers need to do the budgets and weigh up the financial commitment, advantages and disadvantages of each option. Strategies and exit points developed now will enable timely and rational decisions to be made, and provide greater personal control over the situation.

Remember to look after your own health, for some it will be a test of resilience to manage two successive dry years.  Do not be afraid to ask for help. Talk to your banker, advisor, rural counsellor, and district health officer. Information can also be accessed from the drought hotline 180 20 20 and www.service.sa.gov.au/drought.asp or the PIRSA website www.pir.sa.gov.au/pirsa/drought.

AUTHOR: Heidi Goers, Livestock Consultant, Rural Solutions SA

CONTACT: Heidi Goers, Roseworthy, Telephone 8303 7925, Mobile 0422 002 365, goers.heidi@saugov.sa.gov.au