"By taking this option, it means come autumn next year, producers should be in a far greater position in terms of pasture strength and stocking capacity.
Subscribe now for unlimited access to all our agricultural news
across the nation
or signup to continue reading
"The extended rest some country will get thanks to the season ahead of us, after several extreme years, will be immensely valuable to the industry and the herd rebuild overall."
Meanwhile, broadleaf and annual weed issues were prolific at the moment, Mr Harbison said.
"Everything known to man has germinated this year. Commercially, we've been looking at strategies to control broadleaf but it's getting late in the season now and you don't want to damage clovers so I'd be reluctant to advise any broadleaf cleaning now," he said.
"Leaving pastures to rest will also see the weed seed bank expanded but I think the strategy has to be to manage the desired perennials and clovers first after the horrific last three years. Perhaps a late season spray topping at flowering of the broadleaf weeds may be an option to reduce seed set."
Of course, no one makes any money looking at good pasture so grazing management decisions need to be made strategically, enabling rejuvenation and rebuilding of the pastures in those 'middle range' paddocks as best one can, Mr Harbison said.
Consultants say good animal health programs should be in place regardless of stocking choices - up-to-date vaccinations, managing pulpy kidney in fattening stock heading into spring and where there are areas of water lying about, keep an eye on fluke.
