Its exciting to see the monsoon starting to bring much needed rain to northern Australia. While its only early days, the reports from people fortunate to have been under falls have been great to hear.
In southern Australia, particularly in northern NSW and Southern Qld, the changing weather patterns have seen storms finally starting to deliver reasonable falls in many areas. Sadly like all storm rain, not everyone is fortunate enough to receive the rain they need. While its also a long way from drought breaking, some places have had enough rain to see creeks rise and dams fill. So it’s a good start, and hopefully one that sees the drought start to break.
Managing cattle on green pick may require maintaining supplements for a bit longer
One of the challenges that comes with these early showers and storms is the need to manage your livestock as pastures recover. The early stages of regrowth, where there is plenty of green pick, can be a time where may programs come unstuck.
The short green feed that comes away post storm and shower will often be very high in moisture, as well as being fairly short and low in overall herbage mass. The practical implication of this, is stock will use more energy in foraging and grazing than they are able to obtain from the green growth.
“Green Pick is high in moisture, and stock will use more energy chasing this feed than they can actually consume ”
Pastures that are less than 1400kg / DM / Ha will not really sustain cattle. While sheep may be able to consume more feed as they can graze lower to the ground, their overall intake will also be significantly less than the energy they use to graze.
Its also important to recognise that the new growth needs some time to become fully established. Grazing early will prevent good root development and can actually set pastures back as plants try to establish themselves.
Pastures should be at least 5 - 6 cms high before allowing cattle to start grazing
In terms of livestock management, its important to stay with your prepared feeding program for a little longer. Your current rations should provide the daily energy and protein requirements for the stock you have on hand.
I also recommend where possible you try to avoid allowing your stock to have access to larger paddocks for a little longer. Larger paddocks encourage your animals to graze and “chase the green pick”. This often sees them reject their rations and create a situation where energy loss occurs as they avoid their feed troughs to chase the green shoots. If you can prevent this happening until pasture gains some greater mass, it will be better for both your stock and the new plants.
Livestock health is also an area to be conscious of as new pastures start to come away. There are also some potential animal health issues to be mindful of. The clostridial diseases are a major issue, particularly pulpy kidney. If you have been feeding for a while your 5 in 1 vaccinations should be up to date. However if not, you need to start this before you allow too much access to new growth. Ideally you would try to give the first vaccination now and the second one in 4 – 6 weeks time. Stock that have been vaccinated will require a booster.
Make sure health programs, particularly 5 in 1 are up to date
Fresh pastures can be deficient in minerals such as calcium and this can lead to metabolic diseases. Typically this results in seeing animals collapsed as a result of Low blood calcium, or magnesium. These issues need to be treated swiftly to minimise losses. It is possible to provide supplements to assist in addressing deficiencies, however you need to ensure the right disease issue has been diagnosed by your vet.
Finally one of the real issues with new growth are often weeds. There are many weeds that can cause poisoning, and after a long period of feeding, there is a potential of new weeds you have not seen before. It is important to check areas before allowing stock to access them for grazing and make sure the risk of weed poisoning is low.
The real challenge is to have patience for a little longer and give your pastures time to grow and build up enough reserves to support grazing. Stay with your rations just a little longer. When you do introduce your stock to paddocks, try to avoid letting them onto pastures with empty stomachs. Keep a close eye on them for a week or so and ensure there are no issues with metabolic upsets or weeds you haven’t noticed.