Top Country Seasonal Update – Welcome Back 2024
The staff at Top Country would like to welcome new and existing customers to the New Year. Let’s kickstart the augers and fire up the bagging machine. The year 2024 is here, and we are ready. Are you?
Seasonal Update
The sporadic nature of the season has many producers puzzled, as the long-term forecast did not suggest the rainfall received. 2024 has started similar to the final months of 2023, with significant rainfall across Eastern Australia. The dry conditions of Spring 2023 coincided with diminishing cattle and sheep prices, leading to intensified pressure on producers. After a much-needed period of decent rainfall, many regions across both Southern and Northern Queensland have recorded a significant increase in production.
The season ahead looks promising for producers, with cattle prices set to rise following the positive change in season. On 9 January 2024, Roma Saleyards had their first Store sale for the year, yarding 2,713 head combined across all classes. According to all reports, the cattle market started stronger in 2024 than where the prices finished in 2023, with weaner markets maintaining the highest averages. Following the rainfall events, many producers have a decent pasture supply available to support quality livestock and be competitive in these price-rising markets.
Whilst cattle prices are strong, so too are lamb prices. Southern Australian selling facilities have recorded above-average prices for lambs, reflecting the recent rainfall events.
Have you thought about a supplementation program for your livestock?
Supplementation programs to suit the season
The most limiting nutrient in livestock nutrition during the dry season is Protein. Following rainfall events where pasture begins to regrow, new plants are established, increasing the availability of high-energy feed (Dollemore, 2015). During this time, phosphorus is one of the most limiting nutrients to livestock. Over the wet season, phosphorous is supplied in dry lick supplements to increase the utilisation of the native pastures. Phosphorous supplementation has increased live weight gain in growing animals and optimised the re-conception rate in breeding stock.
A supplementation program is designed to be flexible, providing livestock with the minerals and nutrients that pastures lack. In the current season, it is difficult to supplement livestock as rainfall events increase the risk of feed spoilage and reduce paddock accessibility. We encourage producers to consider the utilisation of covered feeders and to ensure drainage points are installed to remove excess moisture. At Top Country, we pride ourselves in delivering superior quality products formulated with premium ingredients backed by an experienced sales nutrition team. We offer a range of wet-season supplements formulated in accordance with the requirements of your property.
If you are unsure of what you should be supplementing or if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us on (07) 4622 8330 or enquire here and speak to one of our sales nutritionists today.
References
Dollemore, W. (2015, December). Table of contents wet season supplementation. Wet season supplementation. https://dpir.nt.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/227741/krr20325.pdf