What To Consider When Restocking After Drought Or Fire

The rapid transformation from dust to grass across the North Coast region is encouraging beef producers to get their enterprises and businesses back on track. There is a lot of hype around the rapidly rising cattle market at present, but be sure to do your numbers and consider how the expense of restocking stacks up in your situation.

Before rushing to the saleyards to fill those paddocks back up, take the time to consider:

  1. Pastures – What’s really growing?  What species have recovered and how well established are they?  How much pasture is really there? How fast is it growing and how long will it last? What weeds have taken the opportunity to establish? Weeds need to be managed not only for your animals but to give your pastures a chance to grow.
  2. Your situation - The right strategy for restocking depends on your circumstances: available feed, water & finances. Considering trading cattle? Making money in trading stock rests on animal growth.  Growth depends on the pastures you have; how long your growing season is and how much weight needs to be gained. Take the time to do a gross margin on each strategy you are considering, such as purchasing more cattle, agisting, leasing land, opportunity cropping or breeding back up. Gross margins are a great way to compare, on a per hectare basis, the best return. Templates are available from Local Land Services or NSW DPI.
  3. New genetics - Reconsider what type of cattle best suits your environment and your markets. You don’t have to go back and do the same thing. Redo your budget before you change genetics as this will influence your breeding herd for several years.
  4. New animals -  Consider disease and weed risks or those new animals that are unfamiliar with your environment and need time to adjust. Request an animal health statement and keep it along with the appropriate NVD or waybill in your LPA records.

If you need the advice to help you make restocking decisions please contact your nearest Local Land Services office https://www.lls.nsw.gov.au/regions/north-coast/contact-us

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