Planning for Drought
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Stock Wise Tips from Mike Stephens and Associates

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As a first step, producers need to assess their current situation. 

You will fall into one of three categories - those who will have a ‘normal’ spring, those on a knife edge (waiting for rain) and those experiencing severe drought.

Once you have established where you are in the spectrum you will know what level of drought planning you need to do to maintain the viability of your sheep enterprise in the future.

For producers directly affected by drought or even those on the edge of being affected there are many questions to address in order to prepare for the future:

• Do you know how important sheep are to the viability (short and long term) of your business? (cash flow, risk management, profit, spread of enterprise, disease resistance)
• How many sheep do you have the capacity to carry through (in terms of people, $, feed, water, facilities)?
• What will it cost to feed? How long will you have to feed?
• What is the sale price now? What will replacement cost be?
• Which groups of sheep should you keep - ewes, wethers, weaners? What method of selection will you use within each group?
• Consider the value and productive potential of your genetics relative to the sheep you could buy post drought.

Farmers should seek support and advice during these times by discussing issues with family, friends, and professional channels such as rural financial counsellors, farm consultants or bank managers to help with future planning and, if necessary, to secure finance to feed sheep.

By planning, assessing and seeking advice, Victorian sheep producers will be in the best situation possible to take action to maintain sustainable operations.