Post Drought Management

Just thought it was worth sharing some information that we found useful coming out of the drought. 

It was unfortunate really that this information was not available through NZ websites and industry and that we had to access this information from an Australian site.  Much of the information written up during and at the end of the drought was written largely around dairy farming, although some principles have parallels in both drystock and dairy.

Beef + Lamb NZ does offer the Dry Management Toolkit, which by in large talks about what is happening during the drought with little content about 'after' the drought. 

Factors that are talked about are:

• Stress - the need to talk about the situation with those close to you and also outsiders and to get off farm to realise that you are not alone and others are suffering too.  One of the most frustrating and upsetting thing for a farmer is the inability to feed their stock.  Most of us are farmers because we enjoy working outdoors and with animals, with that in mind and the fact that the animals are the source of our income, it can become quite distressing. 
• Making decisions early - having information and planning is key in a drought year, knowing what your feed profile is, what supplement you need and what stock need to go so that you can survive is key to the farming operation.  There are many operations with good records and information, but there are many without, and sitting and hoping and praying in a bad year will not pay dividends.
• Financial Support - whilst the government declared a drought in many areas of NZ this year, it does not relate to direct financial assistance.  It does provide assistance through the Rural Support and consultant support if required.   Most of the subsidies available do not 'fit' the new farming families, therefore these are not taken up readily.  This year, the IRD has allowed a review of the Income Equalisation account to assist farmers that had profits last year and are looking at losses this year.
• Feeding - the need to maintain intakes during the drought as much as possible, and following immediate rain to continue to do this to allow covers to grow and to give the plant a chance to grow.  There is plenty of information around feed allowances and different types of feed available and at what rates.
• Animal Health - there is some discussion around animal health, in relation to feed intake, worms etc but felt there was less specifics about some of the things to look out for.

The types of information that were lacking in NZ publications was the emphasis and understanding of what happens when the drought has broken and how vulnerable stock can be especially if they are under condition and the wet brings cold as well.  Animals will generally have a lower immunity, especially if under conditioned.  They will have to adjust to changing feed whether it be supplement or changes in the pasture itself and they may be suffering from vitamin and/or mineral deficiences.

Following the drought period, whilst grass growth has been pneominal this year, there has been low  nutrient and high moisture levels in the pastures and many animals have suffered.  Stock at this time exert more energy to get a mouthful and can loose weight.  Some things to watch for include:

• nitrate poisoning - fast growing plants, especially in an overcast environment will have a build up of nitrate levels and if hungry animals are moved they can gorge themselves, which can lead to nitrate poisoning.
• handling stock in poor condition can put stress on their systems and can collapse or even die.
• metabolic diseases in pregnant animals.
• increased access to poisonous plants that might seem appealing to hungry animals.

Things that you can do:

• make sure the animals are up to date with all their animal health treatments for both internal and external parasites.
• ensure additional vitamins and minerals are given if necessary (may be an idea to take bloods and/or samples at works) to ensure what these levels are.
• provide alternative feed and be prepared for stock to loose weight as they adjust to any new feed, including the new pastures post drought.

It is possibly too late now for this drought, but there are still some things for us to work on.  With cull ewes off to the works this week, we will be evaluating bloods to make sure all are acceptable.  All the animals have been on a higher than usual anthelmentic programme with the increase in worm population, especially Barbers Pole.  Most of our stock, whilst in good condition early April, lost condition following the rain for a 2 - 4 week period as the pastures have grown and the stock have adjusted to the change.