It was a rare sight mud and a slippery gravel road but no one was complaining as most were too busy discussing what rainfall had fallen on their properties.
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With a crowd of 170 the Hunter Local Land Services pasture field day at Singleton proved a popular spot to be especially standing in lush pastures that had enjoyed 35mm of rain in recent days.
While there was plenty of information on drought management strategies there was also discussions on fodder conservation and how best to utilise them if the season should turn favourable in coming weeks following the rain.
With soil temperatures on the rise pastures should respond well to the recent rain and hopefully start to kick-on and develop into some useful livestock feed.
Making silage was described as providing one of the cheapest feed sources available at $100/tonne.
The added bonus being cutting silage was a vital pasture management tool enabling the use of the pastures at their optimum time rather than locking them away until the stock were ready to graze them which results in plants being overshadowed and loss of production.
For those not in a position to consider pasture growth due to the ongoing drought Hunter LLS staff spoke about the need not to self assess and come and talk to them about your situation.
Hunter LLS Regional drought co-ordinator Maria Cameron said the organisation had lots of people available to help landholders when it came to managing the drought and their own wellbeing.
"We can provide assistance so please don't sit at home alone wondering what next - talk to us and seek that help for yourself and your friends and neighbours. We can even organise community functions," she said.
Drought subsidies for such things as stock and fodder transport can still be claimed for monies spent in January 2018-July 2019 until September 30. From July 1 this year claims can be made for seed, fertiliser and chemical costs.
On the cattle front Hunter LLS veterinarian Kristi Arnot said animal health was even more important given the tough seasonal conditions.
The need to maintain condition is lactating cows may mean opting early weaning as the cost of feeding the split units was about $0.50 cheaper per day that feeding a cow and calf.
Please don't self assess
- Maria Cameron
Louise Nichols
From cattle to coal. Once a specialist agriculture writer today its about community, in particular, the Upper Hunter. I have lived and worked in the region for more than 30 years. Land use issues and the future direction of our region. But you cannot take ag out of the picture - our food and how we grow it is the basis of all life. Covering the Hunter and Mid North Coast rural issues is now part of my role with ACM.
From cattle to coal. Once a specialist agriculture writer today its about community, in particular, the Upper Hunter. I have lived and worked in the region for more than 30 years. Land use issues and the future direction of our region. But you cannot take ag out of the picture - our food and how we grow it is the basis of all life. Covering the Hunter and Mid North Coast rural issues is now part of my role with ACM.
