The importance of the investment in vegetation cover on the farm came home to roost in the summer of 2019/20, with the run of 45 degrees plus days here in the slopes.
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Although sheep and cattle are very heat tolerant, prolonged heat does slow feed intake and can set them back in terms of weight gain.
High temperatures at night are more problematic and can put real strain on animal health.
Wildlife on farm is also affected - the heatwave in December 2019 resulted in many reported Ringtail possum deaths in remnants around the slopes.
So what can we do about it? There's not much we can do about the weather but keeping animals cool with shade and shelter can benefit both livestock and wildlife and help in these extreme events.
Now is the time to plan ahead for revegetation.
There's not much we can do about the weather but keeping animals cool with shade and shelter can benefit both livestock and wildlife ...
Looking after existing vegetation, including the large paddock trees and remnant patches, is the first priority.
We have seen Landcare groups in the slopes trying some fencing and paddock tree protection to stop stock damage on individual trees with some success.
Ideally, fencing enough area around to enable some new trees to establish is an investment in the future landscape with new trees coming along.
The next priority is revegetation, and this is the time of year to start undertaking your site preparation ready for planting in late autumn/winter. Tree orders need to be into the nursery yesterday!
2020 was a much milder and wetter year and we have seen great results in revegetation - through both direct seeding and tubestock planting and it looks like 2021 may be good too. Site preparation is a key to success and your local Landcare group and/or nursery have guidelines that are suitable for your area. For tubestock, ripping or preparing holes when the profile is dry is best, then being ready for knockdown weed control after the autumn break and again just before planting.
If the site has perennial pasture grasses like Phalaris, preparing a year in advance is even better to get good grass control.
Plan ahead for your farm's future.