North West LLS staff have been working closely with stock owners and permit holders over recent months to source feed for their stock from the travelling stock reserve (TSR) network.

TSR team leader, Wayne Garnsey said he and his team were speaking with graziers and assessing TSRs every day.

“Continuing dry conditions have meant TSR feed supplies are now limited and are fast approaching critical ground cover levels.

“We’ve had some permit holders who initially asked for a couple of months access, and we’ve been able to provide nine months of TSR feed to them, but unfortunately that’s no longer sustainable” he said.

North West LLS has now initiated 'destination only' procedures for travelling stock.

Under destination only permits, stock owners nominate and walk to a destination, and once reached, leave the TSR network. This is to be completed by the 31 July 2018.

Land Services manager, Matthew Davidson said it was becoming increasingly difficult to find feed as conditions worsen in the North West, and neighbouring regions.

“Much of the TSR network is under stress as large mobs of cattle move across the state and up into Queensland. The options are really limited with agistment being harder to find, and local graziers having to make tough decisions” he said.

The time-frame has been extended from a six-week notice period, to three months to allow stock owners to find alternative arrangements for their stock given the widespread dry conditions.

Additionally, limitations have been placed on numbers of stock accessing short term grazing permits to ensure critical ground cover levels are maintained in isolated feed pockets.

North West LLS encourage local graziers to contact their nearest LLS office to discuss drought management options heading into winter or to refer to the Drought Hub website – droughthub.nsw.gov.au for more information.