How to best contain your stock

DRIVING past farms on regional Victorian roads, everything may look honky dory with a slight green tinge in the paddocks.

The reality is the drought has become severe, with some farmers forced to retreat to containment areas, but only if they can source and afford to supplementary feed.

Agriculture Victoria is encouraging livestock producers to consider effective stock containment strategies to help maintain core herd or flock numbers and support pasture recovery.

Agriculture Victoria’s land management extension officer Kerri Goschnick said dry seasonal conditions and limited rainfall continued to place pressure on grazing operations, impacting pasture growth and causing bare ground across many paddocks.

“Stock containment refers to confining livestock in designated areas, where farmers can effectively manage feed, water and shelter.

“This allows farm paddocks to rest until an autumn break causes pastures to recover and withstand livestock grazing,” Ms Goschnick said.

“Stock containment doesn’t necessarily require a complicated system; it can be as simple as a sacrifice paddock with good quality water and access for feeding.”

If considering containment areas, Ag Vic advises farmers to be aware that there is a higher risk of weed infestation when importing feed to supplementary feed livestock.

Establishing a stock containment area to use supplementary feed will contain the weed seeds to a manageable area.

Ms Goschnick said weeds to look out for included parthenium weed, particularly in fodder sourced from parts of QLD and NSW.

“It is important that animals in containment have their nutritional, water and shelter needs met.

“Agriculture Victoria can assist farmers in planning feed budgets and stock containment area design and management.”