FOR farmers across the Southern Downs, managing cattle through tough seasons can be emotionally and financially challenging, but there are tips to help make the job easier.

However, according to Désirée Jackson, deliverer of MLA's Nutrition EDGE course, there are practical strategies producers can employ to reduce stress, contain costs and improve animal performance.

"During the past six months many parts of northern Australia have experienced dry conditions, with pastures severely damaged by frost or small, ineffective falls of rain," she said.

"Pasture energy and protein may be insufficient to maintain animal body weight and condition score, so producers will need to consider feeding additional forage, providing energy supplements and implementing management strategies to ensure animals remain in saleable and/or breeding condition."

Tactics such as early weaning, segregating breeders for preferential feeding and reducing stocking rates can all help, but Ms Jackson said early preparation was crucial in order to get a herd through in the best condition possible and recommended two simple strategies to manage feed costs.

"If producers know the long-term historical green date for their area and if there's been no significant break beyond that, contingency plans need to be put in place," she said.

"Even if it does rain after the production point date (which is approximately six weeks following the green date), producers should be aware their pastures will not produce the same bulk over the growing season.

"Stocking rates need to be assessed when carrying out a forage budget.

"The aim should always be to ensure there is sufficient roughage available going into the wet season."