It is important to ensure stock don't just survive the winter, and that adequate health is maintained so animals can rear their young and be ready for the next joining season. It is also important to consider the landscape. It is a myth to believe one good season is all it takes to undo the damage caused when a paddock has been pushed to very low ground cover.

Weeds are an obvious problem. Colonising the bare ground and out competing the useful pasture. Microbial life in the soil suffers a population crash reducing nutrient cycling and upsetting the ecological balance. Erosion washes away valuable organic matter and topsoil that can only be rebuilt over time.

In a difficult season, like this one, it can seem hard to strike the right balance between caring for the health of our livestock, our landscape and our business. However, the truth is these three elements are really interconnected and by effectively managing for one we are really managing for all three.

Upper Lachlan Landcare Grazing Group meets quarterly to discuss seasonal conditions, share experiences of what has and hasn't worked and pass on knowledge picked up along the way. These are relaxed, round table discussions with an open invitation to contribute or just listen in. It is a great way to get all that local knowledge and experience out to a broader audience and help us all find the best way through this challenging season.

Winter Grazing meetings will be held at Gunning on Thursday, June 6 from 2pm-4pm and on Friday, June 7 10am-12pm at Crookwell.

For more information contact Ruth Aveyard by phone: 0447 242 474 or by email: coordinator@upperlachlanlandcare.org.au.