According to the Bureau of Meteorology, we’re in for some hot days in the late summer and early autumn.
According to the Bureau, the February to April maximum temperature outlook shows chances of greater than 60 per cent for warmer than normal days over the state. I think that means more probably than not.
There is plenty of summer remaining and it doesn’t take long for things to dry out, particularly when we see wind like we did last weekend.
Some Tasmanian farmers will now be starting to think about cattle agistment and emergency fodder supplies.
The TFGA is making it easier for farmers to ascertain the availability of agistment and fodder through a register, which will be on our website
In simple terms, the register shows where other farmers have available land to agist cattle from dry areas and where they have excess feed that may be available to help out farmers who are in trouble.
Agistment may be a better economic proposition than handfeeding, particularly if there is a considerable paid labour component. Long-term returns, often overlooked in initial calculations, may favour good agistment over the maintenance feeding of stock during prolonged dry spells.
Reaching an agreement to agist cattle takes some planning and forethought by all parties because responsibilities and rights are involved. That usually involves an agistment contract. So people would be wise to put their thinking caps on now and perhaps compare notes on agreements that have been drafted in the past.
An agistment contract should describe the responsibilities of the livestock owner and the agistor. It should also set out procedures for dealing with problems that may arise.
There are some common issues:
inspection of the agistment site
stock numbers
cost of transport
change in environment
human responsibility for the agisted stock
stock-handling facilities
period of agistment
fees
insurance
Livestock owners are normally responsible for paying all costs for care of their stock, informing agistors of diseases affecting their stock and their treatment, insurance and damage.
Agistors may require a lien over the stock until any agistment debt is paid and/or a power of attorney concerning the stock and progeny so that the agistor has the power to sell the stock after all reasonable efforts have been made to obtain outstanding agistment payment from the owner.
In other words, you might think it’s a simple case of a handshake and let’s get the trucks rolling; but there can be serious financial consequences which could make you and the other party enemies for life. So get a written agreement up front.
As far as fodder is concerned, the TFGA is continuing to source short-term fodder supplies from across the state. If you’re a farmer with fodder reserves that you are willing to sell, register your details by calling us on 6332 1800 or dropping an email to [email protected]
TFGA CEO Jan Davis
