The area used should be clean and perhaps tested for point source contamination. As with cattle it is possible to produce sheep for slaughter with acceptable residue levels during adverse seasonal conditions. OC levels in sheep generally increase in summer and autumn when feed is limited and animals are losing weight. Drought tends to lengthen the time feed is unavailable so supplementary feeding of animals may need to continue for longer than is usual. A flush in pasture growth during winter and spring usually provides enough clean feed to reduce any OC residues that have accumulated over the summer.
Sheep can run down residues very quickly on clean feed.
Consider early sale of sheep . In drought years many sheep producers may be able to agist their animals on drought-affected standing crops. However, sheep producers with OC affected land are unlikely to find such agistment in close proximity which will make this option costly and potentially risky. So although agistment is recommended before hand feeding, producers will need to take costs into consideration before making a decision. Sheep will need to be introduced to new feeds gradually.