Riverine Plains Blog

Key Messages

• Monitor sheep for foot problems & try to move affected sheep to a dry area to allow feet to recover,
• Look for signs of skin and insect borne diseases, dehydration and other illnesses,
• Isolate newly arrived sheep to prevent the introduction of diseases or parasites.

• Crops, pastures, livestock and infrastructure have been affected by wet conditions to varying degrees across the Riverine Plains
• The outlook may have now changed for farmers, leading to an increase in the number/difficulty of decisions being made,
• For complex decisions, take the time to make an informed and considered choice.

The wet conditions over the past few months, combined with some huge rainfall totals and strong winds over the past week, will be causing stress across our membership.

Key points 

• Introduce stock slowly to grazing cereal and canola/brassica crops  
• Feed test to know the quality of your crop 
• Avoid nutrient imbalances when grazing young crops by providing a mineral/salt lick and roughage 
• Know the signs of nutrient-related animal health disorders. 

While some farmers have already started grazing winter forage crops, some later-sown crops will only be ready for grazing now. Cereals are ready to be grazed when they have developed secondary roots and are well anchored, usually around the 3-leaf stage.