IF there is one message Vic grazier Tim Leeming has for SA sheep producers during the dry season, it's not to give up.
Having experienced the two driest years in history (2014 and 2015) at his 1500-hectare property south-west of Hamilton, Vic, Mr Leeming is no stranger to dealing with feed shortages.
He shared his knowledge about caring for livestock, in particular sheep, during drought and dry conditions, with farmers and graziers on the Eyre Peninsula last week.
His message to farmers was to be proactive and not take any shortcuts.
"If you're going to commit to doing something, you do it properly," he said. "If you've got a livestock enterprise, you've got to prioritise what type of livestock you are going to keep on the farm."
He suggested older ewes that might be a high risk to keep could be sold, while keeping the core livestock for future production.
"Young ewes are valuable items and are going to bring income the following year," Mr Leeming said.
"They're the ones you want to keep and feed very well so they are producing a good income in 2018."
But if farmers were planning to supplementary feed their sheep, Mr Leeming said it was a matter of committing 100 per cent.
"There's no point three-quarter feeding your stock because you'll end up with a poor result," he said.
"That could be a poor conception rate with ewes next year and poor lamb survival."
In 2006, the Leemings began containing stock due to low rainfall and no pastures.
They made the decision to lock up their sheep and feed them by hand to maintain their health and wellbeing, as well as preventing paddocks from being destroyed.
Their production involves about 7500 Coopworth composite flock for prime lamb production in a high rainfall catchment area, but Mr Leeming said limited rain impacted everyone, no matter where they lived.
"There's no point in keeping livestock walking around the paddock trying to find feed if its not there,” he said.
"All they are doing is burning a lot of energy."
Mr Leeming said containing them not only saved paddocks, but allowed farmers to keep a close eye on their stock, as well as allowing them extra time for general farm maintenance.
"One of the great things about having a plan and feeding your sheep well is sticking to your guns," he said.
"It takes a fair bit of resilience and discipline, but it will allow more time to work on fencing, take the family on a trip, or actually attend football training."
Farmers uniting in drought has long-term impact
WHEN drought hit Vic farmers in 2006, they banded together and formed a supportive group to get through the dry times.
Among those involved was local farmer Tim Leeming, who said the network of farmers affected by the drought was still strong today.
And with areas of the state affected by a lack of rainfall, he encouraged SA producers to network and share ideas.
"You can't go into your shell when things turn sour, you don't want to think ‘I’m the only one and the world is against you’," he said.
"These groups share innovation and ideas, but they also help to keep your chin up and look for positive things."
Mr Leeming said despite dry times, farmers needed to ensure they could "bounce back" from the dusty conditions.
"Producers want to be able to have their farm in good condition when they do come out of a drought or dry time, and they want to have their livestock in good order so when it does rain again, they’re ready," he said.
“They haven’t eroded your capacity to earn in subsequent years.
"Farmers don't want to be taking three or four years to recover from a drought or dry period, they want to bounce back."
Mr Leeming and Stock Journal columnist Ken Solly spoke with farmers and producers on the Eyre Peninsula last week about managing livestock during dry seasons.