AgVic land management extension officer Clem Sturmfels said caring for stock could be challenging and an SCA could help minimise loss or illness and reduce farmer stress.
“An SCA is a small, fenced section of farm set up to hold, feed and water livestock,” Mr Sturmfels said.
“Typical pens measure 50m by 50m which can hold approximately 500 sheep or 170 cattle and ensure stock have room to move around and spend time on their own.”
Mr Sturmfels said having animals close by makes feeding, watering and management easier and more efficient and that animals should be in a healthy condition when entering by being drenched, vaccinated and conditioned onto a grain-based diet.
“Diseases and health issues can spread quickly in containment, so regular inspection and monitoring is essential, with affected stock being moved to a pen of their own,” Mr Sturmfels said.
“It is vital stock have enough feed and a supply of fresh water, plus shade during the hotter times of the day.
“An additional benefit of containing stock is that you can maintain ground cover across the rest of the property, protecting soils, water and pastures.”
Ideally, an SCA should be close to existing feed and stock handling facilities and away from houses, waterways and dams and should be designed around the required feeding system.
Planning permits may be required in certain situations.
For more information, visit: agriculture.vic.gov.au/farm-management/land-and-pasture-management/stock-containment-areas-for-emergencies
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