Give it a rest
Sticking to defined rest periods has allowed Damian and Fran Lyons to encourage the most palatable and productive pasture species to thrive on their property.
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Northern wet season hub
After a run of dry years, this wet season will present new opportunities and some potential challenges for northern producers.
On this page you can find information for:
- Wet season spelling for improved pasture performance
- Reducing parasite and disease risk in your herd
- Providing supplementary phosphorus to livestock for cattle growth, health and productivity
- Reducing calf loss
- Managing the impacts of extreme weather events or seasonal conditions
Five tips to prepare for the wet season
Colin Burnett, manager of Queensland cattle property ‘Lara Downs’, provides his top tips to prepare for the wet season.
Wet season spelling
This article from FutureBeef explains the fundamentals of wet season spelling, and things to consider in your planning.
Phases of pasture growth - buffel grass
Use this visual guide to identify the key stages of pasture growth in perennial native pastures and determine the appropriate time to restock after spelling.
Spelling for success
Michael and Michelle Lyons use wet season spelling to achieve their animal production targets and set up pastures for the dry season.
Reducing parasite and disease risks in your herd
During the wet season (especially following a run of dry years), increased insect activity increases the risk of vector-borne disease such as three day sickness (Bovine Ephemeral Fever).
It is important to ensure vaccinations are up to date. Brand and vaccinate calves and valuable animals and monitor young stock for internal parasites.
In high-risk areas control measures for ticks and buffalo flies should be implemented.
Reducing calf loss
Calf loss, including losses that occur after a breeding cow has been categorised as pregnant, right through to weaning, can be a significant contributor to reproductive inefficiency in northern breeder herds. New Tips & Tools are available for producers to start to assess and tackle this issue.
Tips & Tools: Calf loss – do I have a problem?
Where calf loss is a concern, the first step is to assess whether there is a problem. This factsheet outlines a range of indicators that can be used to determine if there is a calf loss problem in your herd.
Tips & Tools: What’s causing calf loss?
There are many factors that can contribute to calf loss, and often multiple factors can be apparent in the same herd. This factsheet describes these factors in detail and outlines some of the options to reduce the risk in your herd.
Northern Breeding Business program
The NB2 program is a new initiative to address calf loss in northern breeding herds. The program is calling for producers to get involved. Participants will develop a customised breeding management plan for their business.
Preparing for cyclones and floods
Prepare for the wet season with an emergency plan, an emergency kit and a livestock emergency plan. The NT government has prepared a list of simple steps to follow:
For your home, your family and your business
For your livestock
Dealing with natural disasters
Mental health support
If you, or someone you know, is struggling with mental health, you can find a list of support services here.
