The key to making it through the next drought is planning. Make preparing for drought easy with this step by step checklist. Download the checklist here: Planning for drought checklist
- Review what worked well during the last prolonged dry period and consider what changes you need to make.
- Check the climate forecast – Climate Outlook Review | NACP & Long-range forecasts | BOM.
- Did you get enough rain over the growing season to sustain your stock until the break of season?
- Determine decision dates – How to use decision dates in grazing | FutureBeef.
- Complete a forage budget – Forage budgeting and pasture utilisation | FutureBeef.
- Determine your green date for a high probability for break of season – Calculating your Green Date | NACP YouTube.
- If you don’t already know work out how many stock you have of each class – Good records – giving you data that delivers | FutureBeef.
- Consider early weaning – A comprehensive guide to weaning calves early | FutureBeef & Dry season management of a beef business: A guide to planning, managing and supplementary feeding.
- Consider destocking, agisting or opportunity feedlotting if there is not enough feed available for current stock numbers until the expected break of the season– Beef business tools | FutureBeef.
- Identify animals to sell, such as empty cows and poor performers.
- Separate animals into mobs based on their nutritional requirements for access to better feed or targeted supplementation – How to get the most out of your breeders in Northern Gulf continuous mating systems | FutureBeef.
- Complete a cost benefit analysis of supplementation – Costing supplements | FutureBeef.
- Do a stocktake of feed and supplements available. Preparation is essential as supplements can often be difficult to find and more expensive the longer the drought goes on for.
- Consider how long surface water will be available and if alternative water sources will be required.
- Review finances – Do you have access to Farm Management Deposits or other cash reserves? Do you need to consider selling stock to increase cash reserves in preparation for a potential prolonged dry period? – Seek help from the Rural Financial Counselling Service.
- Find out what mental health support is available for you and your family – Mental health resources | QRIDA.
- Keep an eye out for market opportunities created by the drought.
For more resources on preparing for and managing drought
Developing a drought strategy for beef cattle →
Dry season management of a beef business: A guide to planning, managing and supplementary feeding →
Drought feeding alternatives →
