The South-West Drought Hub provides links and access to the below dry season resources for growers, grower groups, and the broader agricultural community. This information will aid in their decision making to help manage those that are experiencing a dry season.
The Drought Hub has pulled these valuable resources together into one location for the livestock, grains and horticulture industries. These resources will be continuously updated on an as needs basis.
Condition scoring of Sheep | DPIRD
Condition scoring of sheep is an easy an accurate method of estimating the condition or ‘nutritional well being’ of your sheep flock. Access this resource.
Confined paddock feeding and feedlotting of sheep | DPIRD
Confinement feeding (also referred to as lot feeding or feedlotting) is an intensive feeding system in a confined area where all, or the majority of, feed and water is supplied to the contained animals. Access this resource.
Feedlot Design Manual | Meat & Livestock Australia
This manual takes the feedlotter and consultants through the stages of selecting a suitable site, designing the feedlot and its facilities, their construction and the overall management of the project. Download the manual.
Estimating crop yield | DPIRD
Use this tool to estimate your crop yield. Access it here.
Breakeven yields of wheat and canola | DPIRD
Before committing resources to late sown or emerging crops, carefully consider its yield potential and risks to achieving that yield. To support your breakeven yields, access the resource here.
Making tough decisions about failed crops
In poor growing seasons, crops may not be good enough to harvest. Managers need to make some tough decision. To support your decision process access the resource here.
Strategies and tactics for sheep producers in a poor season | DPIRD
This page provides a summary of the strategies and tactics for sheep producers to employ in a poor season. Access the summary here.
*Note : this webpage is based on 2017 prices
Nutrition decisions following a dry season | GRDC
Read the GRDC’s key take home messages for making nutrition decisions in the wake of a dry season.
Spring Preparation
Spring is the time of the year where preparations should be made to manage the potential summer feed gap and summer grazing issues.
Grazing stubbles and dry pasture | DPIRD
Dry pastures in Western Australia provide good early feed after senescence but rapidly become unable to maintain stock. Stubbles are the major feed source for sheep during the summer-autumn period. Find out more about this practice.
Key points – managing sheep in the poor season | Agriculture and Food
This page provides some key points to consider, including feed budgets and transporting of ewes and lambs when managing sheep in the poor season. Read more.
