Mixed bag for pasture across NSW

The emphasis on supplementary feeding is varied according to region and is dependent on rainfall.

In the New England and Northern Tablelands, for example, falls have been very patchy with some areas receiving more than others, and this came off what had been a "terrible" spring and summer, said Armidale Local Land Services (LLS) senior biosecurity officer Geoff Green.

Mr Green said rain in some areas had contributed to more pasture growth during autumn, but that growth had also been aided by the fact there had been a massive sell-off of stock.

"The rain we have received has helped the pastures, but stock numbers are down given there has been double the number of cattle sold through Armidale in the first four months of this year compared to previous years."

He said an estimated 60,000 head had passed through Armidale saleyards throughout the past four months, compared to the typical 30,000.

"I think across the whole of the New England there will be significantly more supplementary feeding this winter than in previous years," he said.

Mr Green said graziers were considering high energy, high protein feeds, and feeds like cotton seed and any of the cereal grains looked to be good economical options.

He said it was important, particularly for cattle producers, to source good quality roughage that didn't have cotton trash.

While pasture growth in some areas had been reasonably good, water was more of a problem, and areas including Armidale, Walcha, Uralla, Guyra and Glen Innes had recently reported lower dam and creek levels, with only Inverell and Tenterfield reporting average dam and creek levels.

It is this water situation which has largely contributed to the sell-off of stock, and while Mr Green said supplementary feeding was expected to increase this winter compared to the previous year, with less stock on the ground, it wouldn't be a phenomenal increase.

"There is a lot less stock so we aren't going to get massively more supplementary feeding, but there will still be a lot more than last year."

He said supplementary feeding would likely carry through until September.

In the south of the State, in the Riverina, Narrandera LLS district veterinarian Gabrielle Morrice said the area had received "a very good break" through autumn.

"There are good pastures at the moment, and the clover and lucerne is coming along, but I think most farmers would be starting to say they could do with another inch or two of rain," she said.

Ms Morrice said graziers in her area would be supplementary feeding into the winter, but not for survival, rather for additional growth benefits or for lambing.

"Survival feeding isn't looking that likely."

She said rain would be needed throughout the coming weeks to keep the good pasture growth going well, however, farmers were closely watching the weather situation.

Ms Morrice said graziers would be pursuing stock feeds like cereal hay and cereal grains which were standard in the area.

"It tends to be what they have on hand, so oats, wheat, barley and cereal grains."

In contrast to the State's north, supplementary feeding in the area this year would not, she said, be as big an issue as in previous years, given a few years without an autumn break.