HLN’s Resources for Times page is designed to provide resources to assist landholders in accessing current knowledge to support on-farm decision making whilst experiencing drought conditions.
The resources supplied on this page have been delivered at previous field days, workshops, webinars and podcasts and have been sourced through NSW DPIRD, Local Land Services NSW and various Farming Systems Groups.
To visit Holbrook Landcare Network’s Current Project Page Click Here
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General Drought Resources & Information
April 2025: Dry times/drought resources (publicly available and free)
NSW Drought Hub Website
NSW Drought Hub is a one-stop online destination for information and support available to primary producers to prepare for and manage drought.
It includes information about wellbeing, safety, business and financial assistance.
You can visit the NSW Drought Hub Website here.
Source: NSW DPIRD
Farm Tracker App
The Farm Tracker App is a simple tool to help you monitor seasonal conditions on your property
You can visit the Farm Tracker App here
Source: NSW DPIRD
Combined Drought Indicator Webpage (Interactive Map)
The Combined Drought Indicator Map will help you understand the emergence of drought in your area and give you time to put plans in place
You can visit the Interactive Drought Map | State Seasonal Update here.
Source: NSW DPIRD
State Seasonal Update Webpage
The State Seasonal Update is produced by NSW DPIRD to give an overview of seasonal conditions.
You can visit the NSW state seasonal update | Department of Primary Industries here.
Source: NSW DPIRD
Managing Drought, Fire and Flood Guide
The Managing drought, fire and flood guide covers the range of issues you need to consider, including planning, strategies and a drought action plan.
You can view the Managing drought, fire and flood Guide here.
Source: NSW DPIRD
Livestock & Confinement Feeding
5-minute videos: Tips for livestock producers in dry times.
Animal Nutrition
Water Quality
Livestock Care
Pastures & Groundcover
Drought Plan Template
A template drought plan is a good resource to help you understand your current situation and what critical decisions you may need to make to prepare for drought.
- Livestock on hand
- Fodder on hand
- Decision Trigger Points
Access the Drought plan template here.
Source: LLS
Drought & Supplementary Feed Calculator
The drought and supplementary feed calculator is an essential tool for sheep and cattle producers to develop drought feed rations as well as rations for dry periods when supplementary feeding is required.
Access the Drought and Supplementary Feed Calculator here.
Source: NSW DPIRD
Guide to Confinement Feeding Sheep and Cattle in NSW
Confinement feeding is a temporary, proactive management strategy that has increasinly been incorporated into on-farm drought management programs.
It can help maintain livestock production during periods of limited feed availability and help maintain groundcover across other parts of the property.
PDF Download:
A guide to confinement feeding sheep and cattle in NSW
Website:
Confinement feeding sheep and cattle – Local Land Services
Source: LLS
Fundementals of Confinment Feeding
Brett Littler (LLS) gives an overview of what a confinement feeding system is, the benefits it delivers and some practical advice on managing for the best results.
Source: LLS
Practical Containment Feeding of Cattle
Hear from Dr. Shane Thomson as he provides practical advice on how to feed and manage cattle through dry conditions in a containment feeding system.
Source: HLN
Animal Health Issues to Consider in Containment
Hear from Leah Tyrell, a Vet consultant with the Mackinnon Project, discussing animal health issues (with respect to sheep) in containment feeding.
This presentation was a part of the Farm Water Management Planning and Dry Start Preparedness Workshop held by Holbrook Landcare Network.
Source: HLN
Farmer Story: How & Why of Containment Feeding on-farm
Hear from Grant Burbridge discussing how containment feeding fits into his farm business.
This presentation was a part of the Farm Water Management Planning and Dry Start Preparedness Workshop held by Holbrook Landcare Network.
Source: HLN
Scroll through webinar recordings from 'Saving Our Soils During Drought'
Listen or Watch 'Crappy Season Convo's'
In this episode, Dr. Shane Thomson from the Holbrook Vet Centre, offers some advice around feeding and managing cattle during the dry conditions in 2024.
In this episode, Professor Bruce Allworth, Holbrook farmer and Professor at Charles Sturt University offers some advice around feeding and managing ewes and weaning during the dry conditions in 2024.
Pastures, Livestock Feed and Groundcover
This calculator shows you howclosely your herd or flock demand matches your pasture growth.
This calculator helps to determine the costs and benefits of resowing pastures compared to current practice.
The Australian Feedbase Monitor is a world-first tool to help producer improve grazing management, forage budgeting and ground cover.
Access the Australian Feedbase Monitor | Meat & Livestock Australia here.
Pasture Tech Hub
The Pasture Tech Hub provides information on various aspects of perennial pasture management. Resources include information on pasture mixes, lucerne persistence, farmer experiences, scaled-out modelling od pasture management and location-specific information for perennial pasture management in Southern NSW.
Access the Pasture Tech Hub – Holbrook Landcare Network here.
Source: HLN
Changing Landscapes with Drought Resilient Pastures
This case study produced by Riverine Plains showcases modern pasture species combinations and management practices known to build greater resilience to their landscape.
PDF Download:
Case Study Drought resilient pastures, 2024.pdf
Website:
Drought resilient pastures case study
Source: Riverine Plains
Farm Water Management
The following resources provide information to support on-farm water management.
Use this calculator to keep check on water levels in your dams & tanks to estimate how long water for stock will last.
Access the Summer Water Calculator here.
This short video explains a method to measure the depth of your dam and calculate dam volume.
Hear from Peter Smith, Sapphire Irrigation, discussing system design basics of stock water supply. This presentation was a part of the Farm Water Management Planning and Dry Start Preparedness Workshop held by Holbrook Landcare Network
Farm Dam Enhancement
The following resources aren’t designed for quick decision-making or responses to dry times – more focused on long-term planning and preparation.
Enhancing Farm Dams Booklet
The enhancing farm dams booklet details information for improved water quality, water security and farm productivity, while also supporting biodiversity.
PDF Download:
Enhancing-Farm-Dams-guide.pdf
Website:
Managing natural assets: Enhancing farm dams – ANU Sustainable Farms
Source: ANU Sustainable Farms
Farm Dam Planting Guide
This brochure provides guidance on the types of plants suitable for revegetating dams and includes lists of recommended plants.
PDF Download:
Farm-Dam-Planting-Guide-brochure-8.2.pdf
Website:
What to plant in and around your dam – ANU Sustainable Farms
Source: ANU Sustainable Farms
Farm Dams Technical Guide
The Farm Dams Technical Guide provides information on designing and construction of high performing dams.
Access the Farm Dams Technical Guide – ANU Sustainable Farms here.
Source: ANU Sustainable Farms
Managing Water on Your Farm
This webpage helps farmers to consider the various options available and have a plan in place to ensure tou can manage water on your farm, no matter the conditions.
On the page is a series of short videos of the LLS team explaining;
- Water Budgets
- Water Sources
- Farm Dams
- Dam Construction
- Dam Maintenance
- Water Quality
- Water Troughs
- Desiging & Installing a Reticultion System
Access Managing water on your farm – Local Land Services here.
Source: LLS
Farm Water Audit - How To Webinars
Quantifying Farm Water Requirements
Estimating Tank and Dam Storage
Calculating Losses and How Long Will Water Last
A Farmers Perspective - Improving Farm Dams
Marcus Richardson, cattle farmer, explains why and how he decided to protect and enhance his farm dams for multiple benefits.
Source: ANU Sustainable Farms
A Farmers Perspective - Multiple Benefits from Farm Water Planning
On Neil Hamilton’s ‘Maragle’ (between Tumbarumba & Tooma) property, the multiple benefits of securing stock and domestic water supply are on display.
Source: LLS
A Farmers Perspective - Working with the Land to secure Stock Water Supply & Enhance Biodiversity
On Elise Weden and Ian Cocking’s Lowesdale mixed farming property, they have been able to embark on a process of wetland rehabilitation whilst securing stock water supply.
Source: LLS