Small landholder seasonal activity list

Page last updated: Wednesday, 13 December 2017 - 1:32pm

Please note: This content may be out of date and is currently under review.

As a landholder it is important to plan ahead for the coming season.

Whether it be livestock, crops, pastures or weeds and diseases it is vital to monitor changes and address issues to maintain your property.

This list is an example of some of the potential seasonal activities on your property and is a tool to assist you to build resilience into your farming enterprise and manage seasonal challenges.

January

Keep on top of the following issues during January to ensure your property is well prepared for the coming months:

Topics Issues to consider

Livestock

  • As temperatures remain high hold stock in paddocks which have shade available. Heat stress can be fatal to livestock.
  • Keep monitoring stock water supplies, as increased evaporation will increase salinity and algae levels.   
  • Check pets and monitor livestock for grass seeds. Grass seeds can cause sores in between toes and in ears, eyes and nasal passages. In particular, check animals which are behaving strangely.

Crops and pasture

  • If you have not had your soils tested for a couple of years now is the ideal time. Soil testing kits can be purchased through local rural suppliers. Once you have your test results you will need to get them interpreted by an agronomist or consultant. They will be able to help you understand what action needs to be taken.  

Fresh produce

  • Irrigation lines will need to be checked and pumps monitored as soil moisture is important to maintain. If the soil dries out too much, plants will become stressed and may die.
  • With stone fruit coming into season parrots and other birds will start to cause damage in fruit crops. Netting will keep the birds away from your trees and decrease the damage they cause. Netting can be expensive to erect so it is important to do it right the first time.
  • Mulch around vegetables and other garden plants to cut down on soil moisture loss and to prevent shallow plant roots from overheating. Exposed ground can quickly heat up and damage the roots just below the surface.

Land and infrastructure management

  • Firebreaks should already be installed and you should have cleaned up around your sheds and house. It is also important to ensure that you have notified your local fire brigade and neighbours, by providing them with contact numbers and information of your absence, if you are going to be away from your property during the hotter summer months. It is also good practice to have your firefighting tanks filled and loaded onto your vehicle. If you do not know the number for your local bushfire brigade find out by phoning the local fire brigade directly. This can speed up the response time. Being fire ready is everyone’s responsibility.

Pests and weeds

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