Modify the animal demand curve to match the pasture supply curve
MLA & AWI July 31, 2024
Plans are made to be revised and monitored regularly. Revisit targets for pasture and livestock condition and modify the plans:
- long before feed runs out
- before ground cover drops below acceptable levels (a minimum of 70% ground cover for high rainfall zones, close to 100% for sloping country, and 40% for semi-arid areas
- to meet all animal wellbeing requirements.
De-stock paddocks before ground cover falls to levels that expose paddocks to erosion. Put stock into another paddock where there is still adequate cover or, if this is not an option, put them into a containment area for supplementary feeding. De-stocking will prevent overgrazing and death of perennial grasses and minimise the need for resowing.
To modify the annual animal demand curve consider the following options:
- Improve the proportion of pasture grown that is utilised for animal production, also called pasture utilisation. Higher pasture utilisation means having more stock on when surplus pasture is available, but less when supply is low. Increasing pasture utilisation does not have to mean increasing stocking rate all year round. Utilisation can also be increased by pasture conservation, for example, making hay or silage to feed back to sheep at a time when green pasture is limiting.
- Modify animal demand by changing the management calendar (e.g. changing time of lambing so peak lactation aligns with peak pasture growth).
- Change the enterprise mix to better meet feed supply.
- Change pasture supply by using different pasture species.
It is more important to match supply and demand within seasons than for the entire year. This ensures animal demand is met and pasture resources are not degraded by over- or under-utilisation.
Time of lambing
Time of lambing is the most important decision in the management calendar. Lactating ewes and growing lambs provide a major boost to animal demand that can be aligned to peak pasture supply to increase total production and reduce risk and costs. More detailed guidelines outlining the optimum time of lambing can be accessed in MMFS Module 10 Wean More Lambs.
Many producers run sheep and cattle as well as a cropping enterprise. In such cases, the feed demands of the beef enterprise and the labour demands of the cropping program need to be factored in when determining the optimum time for lambing.
Timing stock sales and purchases is another option to the modify animal demand curve. There is a constant trade-off between current and expected future prices, and current and expected future feed supply. Aim to sell surplus stock when stock are still in good condition (condition score 3 for adult stock, minimum fat score 2 for young stock).
Keep in mind that decisions about timing of lambing and stock sales also impact on shearing time, and timing of shearing can have important consequences for wool quality.
It is important to consider the whole farm management calendar when planning key operations that impact the profitability and productivity of the business.