Depending on where you are around the Murray region, you might have had quite a decent autumn break already with the start of some real pasture bulk soon to be available. Others are just seeing pastures and crops emerging after recent rain.
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However tempting it may be to ditch the full hand-feeding ration routine, some of the worst stock losses occur immediately after the drought has broken due to sudden changes in nutrition or livestock depleting already low energy reserves chasing green pick.
Stock that have been on a full feeding regime should not be taken off overnight. Taper off over two to three weeks, in the same fashion that you would introduce grain. It allows the rumen flora to adjust to a new diet.
This also has the benefit of allowing producers to begin building a feed wedge to underpin production goals through winter. An added advantage of sufficiently spelled paddocks is that it allows the establishment of some real pasture bulk and enough leaf area to keep plants going.
It is important to determine that enough energy is present in the available feed to meet the requirements of the livestock. What amounts to a green carpet is no good for cattle if they can't physically get any of it into their mouths.
Another consideration for the change in diet when lush pastures become available is the risk of clostridal disease. Pulpy kidney disease, in particular, is a real risk, so make sure your 5-in-1 vaccination is up to date, preferably two weeks before a transition onto lush pastures. It's cheap insurance.
Also on the animal health agenda are cows at risk of metabolic diseases with calving around the corner. To avoid cows going down, ensure sufficient calcium, magnesium and energy are available to stock moving to green feed. Supplement grain diets with calcium; and short green feed with magnesium by providing stock access to a loose lick containing lime, causmag and salt. Older cows are most at risk and need special attention.