Livestock producers across Queensland are urgently reviewing their supplementary feeding options

Livestock producers across Queensland are urgently reviewing their supplementary feeding options following a dramatic downturn in animal condition as the seasonal flow-on effects of a virtually rain-free winter and spring hits home.

Queensland Primary Industries and Fisheries senior beef extension officer Ken Murphy based at Rockhampton has been fielding up to 20 telephone inquiries a day from concerned cattle producers.

Mr Murphy said that producers confronted by the rapidly deteriorating seasonal outlook were well aware that their remaining pasture currently had little to no nutritional value.

Mr Murphy said breeders were now calving and this had exacerbated the animal's nutritional intake requirement to maintain body weight.

"Many producers have already been supplementing their stock for some months with lick blocks, dry mixes and roller drum mixes which contain a limited amount of urea as a protein source," Mr Murphy said.

"The nutritional issue with these forms of supplementation is that they cannot supply sufficient energy - particularly for lactating cows - so the pressure is on to take remedial action," Mr Murphy said.

"Our wet season stopped abruptly in early March and there has only been isolated and very limited winter-spring rain which has delivered little grazing benefit and certainly no run-off to top up stock water dams and creek systems.

"The bulk of our pasture grasses now have extremely low protein and energy levels so it is essential to supplement cattle with a substantial protein and energy source such as M8U, a fortified molasses mix or cottonseed."

M8U comprises 92 per cent molasses and 8pc urea (by weight) bought as a commercial mix or it can be prepared on-farm.

"Depending on the class of stock being supplemented, M8U intake to maintain body condition can range from 2kg to 4kg per head per day," Mr Murphy said.

"Fortified molasses is proving to be a popular feed option and is based on a combination of 3pc urea, 10pc vegetable protein meal such as cottonseed or copra mixed with molasses."

Mr Murphy said stock owners preparing their own supplements should use prilled urea as it readily dissolves in the molasses. Granulated molasses is much more difficult to blend into the mix.

Despite a predicted early finish to the 2009 sugarcane crushing season across most growing areas, molasses has been readily available.

Whole cottonseed fed to lactating breeders at 2-3kg/head/day will provide sufficient protein and energy. Supplies appear to be limited and the most recently recorded sales have been around $350/tonne.

Mr Murphy said that overall, stock water supplies were holding with the exception of parts of the Dawson-Callide region where surface waters were exhausted with limited underground water availability.

Mr Murphy, who is the QPIF Central Region Climate Risk coordinator, said livestock producers in drought declared shires were eligible for the Queensland Government's 50pc freight subsidy for the transport of fodder and feed supplements.

Those landholders on drought-hit properties in non-declared shires can apply for an IDP (Individually Droughted Property) status through Ken Murphy to access the freight subsidy or contact the QPIF Business Information Centre.