Seasonal Conditions Overview

TasFarmers Drought Resilience Coordinator Sophie Folder has been out in the field gathering an on-the-ground snapshot of current seasonal conditions from producers. Here’s what she’s found:

Tasmania has experienced a dry summer and autumn across most regions, with some areas reporting record-breaking dryness. The Circular Head, Marrawah, and Redpa regions have noted conditions among the driest on record, while producers in the Huon Valley are describing this as the driest autumn they can remember.

Most livestock producers have reported that whilst it is very dry they are in a better position than last year, primarily due to:

• Late spring rains in Late November and early December
• Conserved fodder last spring and early summer has meant they have access to fodder either stored on farm or can purchase it.  

Those with access to irrigation are feeling reasonable as:

• Temperatures through autumn have been mild, and growth on irrigated pastures has been good as a result.
• Potato and apple growers have had a very good harvest season as a result of the dry conditions.

Dryland pastures have suffered and soil moisture levels are currently very low.

Livestock producers have managed the dry conditions through de-stocking, or delaying re-stocking from last year or are feeding fodder or concentrates to deal with reduced pasture growth from a lack of autumn break. 

Dairy producers are feeding high levels of grain some averaging up to 8kg per day to maintain milk production, although this is increasing cost of production and reducing margins.  Some sheep producers have used containment feeding to manage ewes through joining or of young stock.  Beef producers are feeding fodder or grain-free pellets.  Most feel comfortable that they will have enough fodder to get through winter. 

Stock are reported to be in good condition, although there have been some incidences of metabolic deficiencies reported by livestock transporters and some animal health concerns reported by vets due to the seasonal conditions.

On farm water storage is low, although they have been supplemented by irrigation water allocation or topped up from bores.  Irrigators on the NW coast have reported their water storages are very low, although they are hopeful they should replenish during winter, assuming there is sufficient rainfall for runoff.

There was good rainfall over the weekend, which appears to have been more extensive in the South and eastern parts of the state.  Geeveston in the Huon Valley had 50mm, Flinders Island 42mm, Ouse 23mm, Bothwell 25mm, although parts of the north were varied from 17 – 20mm and in Circular Head, Smithton received 20mm and Marrawah was 38mm.

Some coastal regions are hopeful that mild temperature will result in pasture growth now it has rained and will use Nitrogen to boost winter growth.  Other regions have suggested soil temperatures are too low to use Nitrogen now and may look at gibberellic acid to boost winter pasture growth. (

Given it is the second successive dry season for many regions in Tasmania, producers are reporting increased financial pressure and reduced cash flow available to implement some dry season management strategies. 

Most producers are hoping to get through a dry winter the best they can and hoping for an early start to spring.