It would have been great to write this first column for 2007 knowing seasonal conditions had drastically improved across the State.

Unfortunately, that is not the case for most drought-affected livestock producers, who are starting the new year in a similar fashion to the last one.

Farming is always about making complex decisions, but in drought those decisions can rapidly become critical ones.

When to wean spring ’06-born calves is now a crucial decision – it has already been made by many but action is required in many more herds very soon.

I was talking to a beef producer from the North West of NSW at Christmas who has weaned about 100 three to four month-old calves and is about to wean another 400.

“It is amazing how well a basic supplement of one kilogram a day of 50:50 mix of cottonseed meal and grain works with these calves - it would go absolutely nowhere if given to the cow and calf as a unit,” he said.

That just about says it all: it is much more efficient and less labour intensive to feed a young calf on its own in drought than to do it by supplementing the cow and calf as a unit. Dry cows are much easier to look after as well.

Timing of the weaning decision is important - do it before the cow falls below Fat Score of two to 2½ because if she falls below that, it will be extremely difficult to get her back to the score required for a productive year next season.

Having said that, though, looking after early weaned calves can be a challenge. They need some high-quality feed to ensure they grow - it is no use just putting them in a bare, rough paddock and hoping for the best.

If there is some roughage still available, a high quality protein supplement (35 to 40 per cent crude protein) may be sufficient. In the absence of paddock roughage, a mixed ration with a crude protein level of 14 to 16pc is required.

Depending on how old and heavy the calves are, they may need some other special treatments.

If you have not had previous experience with early weaning, then you should seek advice from your local Department of Primary Industries livestock officer. Information is also available on our web site: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au

Hope the season breaks soon.