Regular inspection to prevent dam failure

Regular inspection, monitoring and maintenance of gully dams will significantly reduce the risk of failure from leaks and banks collapsing.

Stock damage, soil erosion, siltation and excessive vegetation growth all contribute to the gradual deterioration of farm dams.

The rapid rise in dam water levels following an extended period of drought and dry seasonal conditions also adds to the pressure on dam banks, spillways and pipelines.

Gully dams fail on a regular basis across Victoria due to poor soils, poor construction, dry soils and a lack of maintenance. Estimates suggest more than 20 per cent of gully dams in Victoria fail within a few years of being built.

Regular inspection and monitoring of dams should be done regularly but this is far more critical over the next six to twelve months as dams start to fill after an extended dry period.

Landholders are encouraged to carefully inspect and monitor their gully dams to pinpoint issues and act before the dam completely failed.

Landholders need to focus mainly on the dam bank, looking for signs of bank subsidence, cracking or tunnelling. Regular inspection should include: Monitoring water levels for signs of leakage Checking the bank water line for unusual turbulence or whirlpools indicating a possible leakage area

Checking the dam bank for signs of cracking, tunnelling or settlement

Checking the dam bank and immediately downstream for signs of seepage, softness or lush vegetation

Checking the bank to ensure it is stable, firm, free of soil erosion, has at least one metre of bank above water level, a well-rounded crest and has a good cover of topsoil and grass

Ensuring dam banks and adjacent areas are free of woody vegetation, including trees and shrubs

Checking the spillway is stable, has good capacity and is free of debris and excessive vegetation

Checking the inlet area to ensure it is well grassed, stable and free of soil erosion, and Checking for rabbit or stock damage. Dam maintenance work involving the removal or destruction of native vegetation may require a planning permit, and landholders are strongly advised to check with their council planning officer before carrying out such work.

Market report for 31st July and 1st August

There was some very good vealers sold to top 337.2 in a yarding of 109, which is 17 less than last week, where good cattle in short supply sold very well despite a plain yarding overall.

In a day where averages were mostly up with heavy cattle selling to increased demand and secondary cattle with increased demand with restockers keen to purchase better bred cattle.

78 vealers sold to 337.2 cents and averaged 281.9, per head average was $810.67, down 4.1 cents and $94.53 from last week.

13 heifers sold to 310.0 cents and averaged 285.6, per head average was $1249.00, up 5.9 cents and $66.19 from last week.

10 steers sold to 320.0 cents and averaged 294.0, per head average was $1640.45, up 11.8 cents and $370.45 from last week.

The yard average for 109 head was 275.9 and $928.42 per head.

Vealers 1 AngX 1 LimX 4 Ang 1 LimX 1 Bld Heifers 4 Ang 2 Ang Steers 1 Ang Bates & Gleeson, Yann 615 320.0 1968 Thursday’s cow and bull sale. Cow numbers were down on last week, but sold very well considering the quality of the cattle yarded.

392 cows sold to 310.0 cents and averaged 223.9, per head average was $1021.79, down 1 cent and $96.94 from last week.

25 bulls sold to 307.6 cents and averaged 252.6, per head average was $1724.59, down 31.9 cents and $508.39 from last week.

11 steers sold to 280.0 cents and averaged 259.1, per head average was $1073.61, down $105.69 on last week. Beef Cows 2 Ang M Lambie, Bega 538 7 Ang M Lambie, Bega 524 1 Ang The Buskers Club, Yarragon 690 2 B/B N Waterson, Bega 450 1 Ang AJ & GD McDonald, Drn W 580 1 Ang G&M Marriott, Shady Crk 515 1 Ang K Rienets, Yinnar 570 1 Ang DL&CM Currie, Bona V 610 Dairy Cows 3 R/Frn WN Williamson, Bona V 2 Frn Bonnie View, Drouin 1 Frn GL&LA Williams, Athlone 2 Frn JWG&NE Webb, Cloverlea 3 Frn M Moyes, Shady Crk 2 Frn JWG&NE Webb, Cloverlea 1 Frn Manna Valley, Ellinbank Steers 3 R/Frn Bulls 1 Lim 1 Hfd 1 Ang 1 Frn 1 Jsy 2 Jsy

D Douch, Traralgon Rigano Bros, Ferndale VM Vappull, Neerim M Nottage, Buln Buln GK&HA Ferguson, S/Crk

A Marson, Buln Buln M Waters, Neerim Sth PM Nerer, Warragul

A&A Marson, Neerim 760 307.6 2337 L&W Caldwell, Hazelwood 910 286.2 2604 S Barwick, Drouin 750 277.2 2079 C&M Young, Neerim 885 247.6 2191 G&M Worth, Drouin 705 247.2 1742 DJ Armstrong, Darnum 615 246.6 1516

1. Landmark, 2. SEJ, 3. NGL,

4. Elders, 5. Scotts.

420 395 228 335 330

520 463 785 725 690 673 603 600 575

633

337.2 331.2 321.6 320.0 305.6

309.4 299.6 310.0 302.6 296.2 294.6 291.6 290.2 290.0 289.6

270.0 266.6 266.6 257.6 257.6 257.6 294.6

280.0

1416 1308 731 1072 1008

1608 1385 1666 1584 2043 1325 1691 1494 1653 1766

2119 1932 1839 1732 1554 1545 1435

1773