What is your operating environment?
Meat & Livestock Australia January 16, 2024
Consider the environment that you operate in, any challenges associated with operating in that environment, and if those challenges may change in the future.
Your specific operating environment is likely to influence:
- Breed (or crossbred) choices – For example, in tropical areas of Australia you may require animals that are better adapted to hot and humid weather, have resistance to ticks and buffalo fly and be able to walk long distances to water and at mustering. In more temperate areas of Australia, you may require animals that are better adapted to cold and wet winters.
- Feed availability – There are a range of production systems across Australia that may vary in pasture species (e.g. native, improved or a combination) and rainfall patterns (e.g. summer-or winter dominant rainfall areas). These factors will influence feed availability, particularly in terms of quality and quantity, and when pasture surpluses and deficits occur during the year.
- Breeding systems and management decisions, such as timing of calving and how much control you can have over mating.
Remember that your operating environment is a result of the following (and more):
- climate (rainfall, temperature, humidity, wind etc)
- pasture and vegetation type and distribution (in turn a result of climate, soil type, topography etc)
- disease and parasite risks
- on-farm infrastructure (paddock size, distance to water, distance to yards etc)
- proximity to markets.