As they mature and dry out the energy and protein levels reduce significantly and so do cattle growth rates.

In my district, many properties east of the Hume Highway still have green feed – often clover and good stands of phalaris. The cattle grazing these pastures are still growing well.

As cattle graze they eat whatever they bite.

That means they’re probably eating some higher quality grass mixed with dry stem or other dead material.

The average of the bite is their intake and this drives their production.

Under similar circumstances other livestock that can more selectively graze will do better.

It has long been an option in summer to provide protein to cattle to help make use of the dry feed in front of them.

There are several useful options, from protein meals and protein grains through to urea.

All should be managed properly and NSW DPI livestock officers can advise on this.

Cattle prices are pretty exciting at the moment.

High school economics students will tell you supply and demand determines prices and that’s what’s happening.

If you invest in cattle at the sales over the next few weeks set up your feeding management to start the cattle growing or producing what you want.

The money tied up in buying cattle needs an immediate return so plan to get things happening straight away.

The best insurance for any new cattle you might buy is the proper health treatments when they get home.

Cattle have the uncanny ability to drop dead when feed changes, so five-in-one and other recommended management is critical.

Dead cattle are lost profits.

Expensive dead cattle seem to wipe away the silly grin pretty quickly.