The condition of grazing stock has continued to fall in recent weeks despite many livestock feeding on failed crops, according to Rural Lands Protection Board (RLPB) staff.

Wagga Wagga RLPB district veterinarian Tony Morton, said many wheat, oats, and triticale crops in the region had been fed off and now the remaining canola crops were being used.

Brian Hodge, Bombala RLPB district veterinarian, said the mild winter and hand feeding by most graziers in his region had offset metabolic diseases such as pregnancy toxaemia.

“We recommend that when feeding on failed crops, graziers use salt blocks which contain calcium and magnesium as these elements will be lacking in the dry feed,” he said.

“Generally, stock in the Bombala area are in fair condition, but I worry about the coming weeks.”

Cooma RLPB district veterinarian, Alex Stephens, said pasture conditions were also a worry in his district, though stock seemed to be holding their own so far.

“Decreased stocking rates and supplementary feed are keeping stock in fair order but if we don’t get rain very soon their condition will decline,” she said.

“The good news is that we currently don’t have problems with internal parasites, however worm counts are rising.”

Stock at Braidwood are losing condition and the prospects are not encouraging, with stock losing condition and feed stocks running out, according to RLPB district veterinarian Bob Templeton.

“We are also seeing some black scour worms and a few incidents of fluke in sheep,” Mr Templeton said.

“This is usually associated with a wet season but this problem was probably generated in May and June when we had our last rain.

“Graziers should consider drenching for fluke particularly but our biggest problem is the continuing dry conditions,” Mr Templeton said.

In the Central Tablelands around Bathurst and Cowra there are some pockets of feed but these are fast disappearing.

“Livestock and pastures are on a knifeedge,” Central Tablelands district veterinarian, Bruce Watt said.

“Cattle are saleable either pregnant or with calves at foot but sheep producers are in a very difficult position.

“Many lambing ewes are in poor condition and little pasture is available.

“They must be fed for the survival of both the ewe and lamb, but in most cases, selling sheep is not an option, as the ewes are too poor and many have lambs at foot.”

Clive Roberts, Dubbo RLPB district veterinarian said stock are holding but only just.

“The quality of feed is declining and the failed crops are quickly being used up to feed stock,” Mr Roberts said.

“Drenching stock before they go onto a crop paddock is good but the most important thing is to ensure that animals do not go into a crop empty.

“We also have a minor problem of Pestivirus in a few herds,” Mr Roberts said.

Both water and feed supplies are deteriorating at Tamworth.

“Stock are in fair condition but it is a challenge for farmers to keep stock in good order,” Graham Kelly, ranger with the Tamworth RLPB, said.

The small amount of green feed sustaining stock at Cobar is quickly burning off in high spring temperatures, according to RLPB executive officer, Julie Wilkin.

But in the north eastern corner of NSW it’s a different story.

Keith Newby, district veterinarian at Grafton, says they have enjoyed good rain and the season is quite good.

“Stock are in good order generally. We are seeing few problems apart from the usual complications with calving,” Mr Newby said.

Further north at the Tweed-Lismore RLPB, the season is “tops”, according to Manager, Brian McInnes.

“We’ve had more than our share of rain and the season is looking good,” he said.

“Stock are in excellent order and there are very few problems with animal health.”