Feeding cattle during dry times

Two workshops are being held in northern Tasmania next week to assist farmers assess options for feeding cattle in dry times.

The events at Westwood on Monday and Flinders Island on Tuesday are being delivered by NRM South, NRM North and Derwent Catchment Project, in partnership with NRE Tas and the TAS Farm Innovation Hub, through funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund.

TAS Farm Innovation Hub Knowledge Broker, Sophie Folder, said the two workshops were part of a series of events being held throughout Tasmania to support farmers manage the unseasonal dry conditions.

“Parts of Tasmania are feeling the impact of the dry weather and many livestock producers are having to take urgent measures to manage their businesses,” Mrs Folder said.  

“These workshops will build understanding of livestock nutrition and supplementary feeding options, decision making strategies for managing dry times and tools available including Farming Forecaster.”

Sam Bye from the Derwent Catchment Project said farmers would hear from a number of informative guest speakers.

“Nikki Henderson, a livestock nutritionist and farmer from Tamworth in NSW, will discuss nutritional considerations including grain free options, maintenance feeding and the longer-term implications for farmers,” Mr Bye said.

“Pinion Advisory will take farmers through the decision-making process and business implications of supplementary feeding in dry times.”

The first event will be held at Westwood on Monday, 25 March followed by at event on Flinders Island on Tuesday, 26 March. To RSVP, please contact Sam Bye or sam.bye@derwentcatchment.org and Peter Heading pheading@nrmnorth.org.au