This page is about dealing-with-drought, and ways you might prepare for one...

When dealing-with-drought, you might come across one of two types:

1. Productivity loss due to less effective ecosystem function Click here for a full description
   Most land is not yet functioning at its full potential, and as a result relatively small variations in rainfall can sometimes feel like the onset of "yet again dealing-with-drought!". The better your ecology, the less 'bumps' you will experience. So deliberately making decisions towards better ecology means moving away from drought.


2. Drought due to very low rainfall
   Sometimes, regardless of management skills, over time rainfall will become so low that your crops and pastures cannot avoid suffering. Fortunately a drought doesn't happen overnight. There is always a long time between initiation of the drought and actually noticing its effect. You must pass through the first stage, first, but there is always plenty of warning that you are about to be dealing-with-drought, if you are looking out for the signs.

1. The period of active growth prior to the onset of drought
   This is the time for dealing-with-drought by building drought reserves of fodder, either as hay and silage or better still, as standing reserves.


2. The period of slowing growth
   How long this period will last depends on the effectiveness of your ecosystem process, especially your water cycle. This is the riskiest phase, because the decisions you make here will most likely determine the eventual outcome of the drought for you.


3. The time following cessation of growth
   You need to make significant decisions now. You need to make a judgement as to how long you may have to carry animals until the probable onset of further useful rains.


4. After the rain comes
   Droughts are usually periods of low rainfall rather than no rainfall. You never can be sure if the rain you get is the break, or just a normal part of the drought, so you must maintain your vigilance and resolve, and keep your grazing planning up-to-date.

1. In periods of active growth match speed of animal movements to the actual rate of recovery of your plants, and minimise the number of mobs you run. This action can help your dealing-with-drought immensely.


2. As growth slows further amalgamate herds or flocks (in Australia we call this 'boxing' mobs together), so that the minimum possible number of mobs is present on your land. What you are really seeking to achieve in any drought is the maximum possible number of paddocks or blocks per mob. Boxing mobs is very much cheaper than building fences!.

   This will dramatically increase the amount of forage you grow during this phase compared to your neighbour, and is a sound drought strategy.



3. When growth stops complete a feed assessment, and adjust stock numbers to available forage. If you are unsure how to go about this, put your hand up and ask for help. There are qualified people around the world who can help you.
   An early adjustment in stock numbers means that the minimum possible number are either sold or sent off to graze elsewhere. In Australia we call this off-farm grazing 'agistment' (pr. a-jist-ment).

   Every day you delay making the adjustment increases the number of stock you will have to remove when the day of judgement/adjustment inevitably arrives. Download the feed assessment calculations pdf for a full description of why it is that when dealing-with-drought, doing nothing is so expensive, financially, ecologically and emotionally..

4. Resist the temptation to be swallowed in fear or panic. Make all decisions towards what you want. What you want most is covered soil. Covered soil means you are still in the game during this drought, and more importantly you are still making massive strides that will help you avoid or minimise the impact of the next one. You really will be dealing-with-drought proactively!

   If you make the decisions very early you will have more options. You will probably sell stock at good prices, or locate the best possible agistment at the best possible price. Late decisions occur when people have run out of options and are forced to 'meet the market', an unforgiving place to be.

5. Do not fall in love with your animals. With a few exceptions all animals are beautiful but dispensable. They are simply a tool at your disposal that, correctly used will produce you profit - and create a healthy ecology on your land. If kept too long they will destroy your land and your bank account. If you are a breeder of highly prized stud animals - especially a parent stud - you would probably want to make every effort to hold them and save them - otherwise, ask yourself very deeply: 'Should these animals go?'. Never fall for making decisions just about "saving the herd". There is a high probability you could end up "losing the farm" instead. It happens all too often.

   Take a few moments to listen to this story. It concerns a Canadian family and how they dealt with serious drought. It is an important lesson, and it is placed on this site with their permission.

   Clearly, the last part of the story was a matter of luck as to timing, but the point is, they were positioned with options because of their previous decisions.

6. When it rains, hold your nerve. This is the point at which you must keep the minimum practical number of mobs, in order to maximise plant recovery. Maximising plant recovery leads to higher productivity and better soil cover.

Emotional health - What about when things gets really tough??
If you are emotionally effected by dealing-with-drought in your circumstances, seek help. Pure and simple, you are never alone. In Australia you might want to talk to Beyond Blue. They have an excellent reputation at helping farmers in times of stress. In the USA the National Mental Health Association is an excellent resource.

There is also an excellent book, I Don't Want to Talk About It, written by Terence Real. It is available in most countries, I believe. Ask your local bookstore.