TOP TIPS

ALWAYS HAVE A BACK-UP PLAN

Even if you're confident about your stocking rate, always have a backup feed supply in case of prolonged dry or wet conditions. Budget funds each year, buy feed well in advance (when it will tend to be cheaper), and have an emergency fund in case you need to buy extra. Supplements can include:

• hay;

• silage;

• baleage;

• hard feed such as grain-based products.

ACT EARLY

If you're concerned about stock numbers, it's always best to cull or sell stock at a certain tipping point, well before things get bad either in terms of feed, loss of animal condition and/or health, and financially.

The best time to act is spring, when you'll know future climate forecasts. It's also when people who do have enough feed are often looking for extra stock.

CREATE A CALENDAR

Use a calendar or diary to note what you've done, and to remind yourself of upcoming jobs. There's a lot to remember, including:

• drenching for internal parasites;

• vaccinations;

• regular hoof trimming (horses, donkeys, goats);

• shearing and dag removal (crutching) twice a year;

• de-horning.

For monthly advice, go to thisnzlife.co.nz and search for the animal and season, eg ‘sheep summer’