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Developing trigger points

The last thing anyone wants is lots of stock and nothing to feed them and being rushed to sell. Trigger points are the signals that give you a heads-up about change and some time to devise a strategy for managing risks from season to season, but also to seize opportunities as they arise. 
 
An example of a trigger point is: ‘If I haven’t received 65 per cent of my growing season rainfall by September then I need to … [make a plan, take some action, grow more, demand less, decide what could go first, or get ready to feed].’
 
This is the kind of thought process that moves you from reacting to managing. The actions prompted by such a trigger might be getting ready for destocking, buying feed, or drought-lotting.
 
You’ll be able to identify trigger points on your own property (and every property is different) through observing and recording factors like:
  • feed on offer and pasture growth and condition
  • seasonal and long-term forecasts (e.g., is it a La Niña year?)
  • the microclimate and pasture response in particular parts of your or neighbouring properties.
 
What are your landscape’s features telling you?
 
Some other examples of trigger points in real life are:
  • soil moisture observations
  • pasture growth rate measures or growth predictors
  • irrigation, even if not yours 
  • regrowth behind a mob that being rotationally grazed 
  • estimated grazing days on hand
  • ground cover 9% …
 
Over time you can build a set of trigger points – or signposts – for your property that will help your management decisions.