Livestock health alert coming into Spring

Key messages

• Winter annual grasses are at peak quality, act quickly to maximise grazing benefits.

• Strategic grazing boosts ewe condition and reduces parasite load.

• Hard grazing suppresses seed set in barley and brome grasses.

• Early weaning and mob management can enhance outcomes during this peak window.

Winter annual grasses are now hitting their peak, with feed tests showing digestibility at around 80% dry matter, which “is about as good as it gets,” according to Rob Inglis, Elders Livestock Production Coordinator. 

But there’s only a short time to maximise the grazing value from these grasses, and this valuable window won’t last long. 

Early maturing species like barley grass and brome grass are moving toward seed set, so it’s important to act now to make the most of their nutritional value. 

Taking advantage of high-quality feed

Rob said that with annual grasses offering such high digestibility, there’s a strong case for weaning lambs (if not already done) and boxing mobs of ewes together.  

“Using ewe condition scores as a guide, lighter ewes can be allocated to these highly digestible pastures at high stocking rates, delivering three clear benefits,” he explained. 

“These include a rapid increase in condition score, reduced parasite load and reduced seed set,” he added. 

This is because: 

1. Rapid lift in condition score: lighter ewes can rebuild reserves quickly, improving outcomes for future joining.
2. Reduced parasite load: dry ewes are more tolerant of worms and can “vacuum” the paddock ahead of strategic drenching.
3. Seed set suppression: hard grazing limits seed production in brome and barley grass, reducing the problem next season. 

The bottom line 

With annual grasses at peak digestibility, now is the time to act. Graze grasses strategically to improve ewe condition, reduce worms, and suppress seed set — while also keeping longer-term plans in mind.  

In short, make the most of the opportunities in front of you now but don’t lose sight of the bigger picture. The combination of smart seasonal management and long-term planning is what keeps both pastures and livestock productive year after year. 

For more seasonal insights and livestock management advice, contact Elders Livestock Production Coordinator Rob Inglis by emailing rob.inglis@elders.com.au