The management of livestock, stocking rates and nutrition are inextricably linked to animal health and welfare. In Australia, drought is part of the expected management cycle, and all producers should plan in advance for seasonal fluctuations and times when feed and water will run short. Ensure that plans are already in place for adjusting stocking rates and/or supplementing livestock.

The welfare of animals is always of the utmost importance, and in drought, particular attention must be paid to protecting their welfare. Tough decisions will have to be made, and producers who have drought-affected stock will need to consider the effects of any intended actions on their animals. Any decision made must be humane and reasonable.

Topics discussed in this Primefact include the following:

• Be prepared in a drought
• Act early
• Relieve animal suffering
• SCARM Model Codes of Practice for the Welfare of Animals
• Useful codes
• NSW legislation.

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	Animal welfare in drought - Full version	82.1 kb