Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR) south-west dairy extension officer Michele Ryan said hay and silage makers had been very busy in the past few days because the hot weather had helped crops quickly get to target moisture levels.

Ms Ryan said this year’s maturation of regional hay and silage crops was occurring at least two weeks earlier than the usual and yields would be less than average.

She also said the hot weather should prompt livestock graziers to slow down their grazing rotations to avoid overgrazing paddocks, especially with a drier than average summer likely.