Dry delivers carryover calves for coastal graziers

While most beef producers were short on feed compared with what they would normally have going into winter, others say since the start of autumn the season turned towards being above average.

Temperatures were still as high as 26 degrees at Grafton and Lismore in early June and, where rain arrived, the warm days kept tropical grasses hanging on a lot longer.

North Coast Local Land Services senior livestock officer Nathan Jennings said some coastal calves were weaned early but nothing like the scale seen on the Northern Tablelands.

Rain around the big autumn weaner sales tempted some people to try to carry calves on in the hope of further market improvements but follow-up was limited and most have had to go since, he said.

However, the combination of drought hot on the heels of three wet years meant calving routines were thrown out in some cases and a handful of those producers have opted to take weaners through to spring in the hope of good September feed, compensatory weight gains and an improved market.

A larger number of beef producers have planted ryegrass this winter in an attempt to bridge the feed gap, while others have opted to forego winter cereal cropping programs to increase grazing opportunities, Mr Jennings said.

Tweed Valley third generation veal producers Anna and Tim Gilliland are taking calves normally marketed in autumn through to spring following a December calving – three months later than normal due to excessive rain early last year.

The couple run 250 mostly Charolais breeders which are joined to Santa Gertrudis bulls, with the Santa/Charolais heifers put back to Charolais bulls at the 300-hectare “Terrawerra”, Doon Doon, west of Murwillumbah, plus a leased 80ha next door.

In March they had 280mm of rain virtually overnight and the extension of warm weather into winter saw pastures take off nicely.

Small amounts of follow-up rain since has made their decision to try for an improved market at the end of the year look good so far.