Beef and sheep producers in the Seymour and Wangaratta areas are invited to explore and plan their options for feeding livestock through winter at two morning workshops being held at Seymour and Wangaratta on Thursday and Friday, 14 and 15 June, respectively.
Agriculture Victoria Land Management Officer Greg Bekker said autumn rains and the onset of colder weather has led to slow pasture growth and the need to supplementary feed on many farms.
“To maintain production and minimise welfare impacts it is important for producers to plan ahead to source and supply appropriate feed to meet their animals’ nutritional requirements,” Mr Bekker said.
“With the tight season, feed quality is highly variable so many cattle and sheep producers are faced with a heightened need to supplementary feed, particularly for lactating stock.
“Supplementary feeding can be a significant cost to the business, particularly as on-farm fodder storages are currently variable, ranging from low to moderate inventories. Purchasing appropriate and good value fodder is an important decision.”
Livestock specialists from Agriculture Victoria will provide a hands-on session and useful resources to help producers identify options for managing their livestock through the coming winter.
Mr Bekker said topics to be covered include pasture availability and winter growth rates, assessing fodder and grain reserves, nutritional requirements of different livestock classes and feed budgeting.
The Seymour workshop will be held at the DELWP office, and the Wangaratta workshop at the Council Chambers Government Centre, with both workshops starting at 10.00am, running through to 12.30pm. There will be light refreshments provided at each workshop.
Registrations are requested by 12 June 2018.
