Finalise your fire plan for livestock

Now is the time for all livestock owners to be prepared and have a clear strategy to carry out in the event of a fire emergency on their farm.

A key factor in minimising the threat to livestock during a bush fire or on extreme fire danger days is to identify safer areas on-farm where livestock can be moved to.

The area you choose will depend on the type of livestock and their expected behaviour during a fire.

Other aspects to consider include the terrain and accessibility of the area, as well as the likely behaviour of a fire.

Having a livestock fire plan that has been carefully thought through and can be quickly executed will minimise the risk to livestock and people, especially if that plan has been practised prior to an actual fire event.

Market report for 4th and 5th December

There was some very good vealers sold to top 318.0 in a yarding of 202 which is 25 less than last week where good cattle sold well.

202 vealers sold to 318.0 cents, averaged 265.4 and per head $944.44, up 4.9 cents from last week.

34 heifers sold to 288.2 cents, averaged 239.4 and per head $1052.86, down 2 cents from last week.

56 steers sold to 303.2 cents, averaged 256.0 and per head $1163.87, down 11 cents from last week.

The yard average for 304 head was 257.6 and $991.78 per head, up 6 cents on last week.

Vealers

1 Lim

1 Lim

1 Lim

5 Lim

3 Char

1 Lim

Heifer

1 Lim

Steers

1 Lim

1 Ang

1 FrnX

Cows

4 B/B PJ Williams, Trafalgar

Cows & Calves

1x1 Ang A&K Tyrrell, Cloverlea 1200 Thursday's cow and bull sale. Cow numbers were down slightly on last week and sold very well overall with averages mostly down across the field. Heavier cows were down this week while lighter cows were dearer.

295 cows, 89 up on last week, 28 steers and 57 bulls with a full field of buyers.

295 cows sold to 273.2 cents, averaged 195.0 and per head $984.21, down 13 cents from last week.

28 steers sold to 276.6 cents, averaged 241.1 and per head $1420.52, down 4 cents on last week.

57 bulls sold to 308.2 cents, averaged 245.8 and per head $1648.85, down 26 cents from last week.

Yard average for 382 cattle was 208.2 and per head $1110.84, down 12 cents on last week.

Beef

2 Roan

1 Ang

1 Ang

1 Brah

1 Brah

1 Ang

1 Ang

1 S/Dev

1 Ang

2 LimX

7 AngX

Dairy

1 Frn

2 Frn

1 Frn

1 Frn

5 Frn

2 Frn

1 Frn

5 Frn

1 Frn

1 Frn

Steers

4 Roan

2 Frn

4 Frn

1 Ang

Bulls

1 Char

1 Sim

1 Hfd

1 Ang

1 S/Dev

1 Frn

M Wells, Shady Creek B Sim, Trafalgar

DR&MC McLeish, Drouin DR&MC McLeish, Drouin G&R Schuhkraft, Childers K&L Young, Ellinbank

JH Vickery, Drouin

B Sim, Trafalgar

B Hatswell, Neerim East LA Wanke, H/wood North

G&L Cox, Crossover 598 276.6 G&L Cox, Crossover 615 247.6 Heath Hill Rise, H/Hill 645 241.2 W Peachy, Cloverlea 485 239.6 W Peachy, Cloverlea 475 237.6 G&L Cox, Crossover 570 236.6 A Robinson, Shady Creek 700 233.6 D&P McKenzie, Yarragon 685 227.6 K&L Young, Ellinbank 785 225.6 A&H Rhodes, Darnum 560 217.2 DR&MC McLeish, Drouin 598 211.6

T Russell, Trafalgar T Russell, Trafalgar

M&M Briggs, Drouin

M&J Winter, Warragul Sth TA Mills, Drouin South WN Williams, Bona Vista Taylor Dairy, Nilma Nth G&B Geary, L/warry Nth Bonnie View, Drouin

N&L Naus, Shady Creek

G&L Cox, Crossover P&J Pinkerton, Childers R Atkinson, Darnum J&L Hams, Drouin West

Jarvis Holdings, Yarragon H&B Reichbauer, Lillico LF Turpin, Shady Creek Hawkline P/L, Brandy Ck D&P McKenzie, Yarragon Upston Farms, Drouin

3. Elders, 4. NGL, 5. Scotts.

370 390 390 450 430 410

535

510 470 485

615 246.6 515 239.6 740 229.2 720 224.2 533 224.6 690 219.6 675 219.6 712 218.6 745 217.2 560 217.2

515 658 678 795

318.0 312.2 312.0 311.6 307.6 306.6

288.2

303.2 300.0 239.6

276.6 247.6 238.2 227.6

1176 1217 1216 1402 1322 1257

1540

1546 1410 1162

1230 1654 1522 1555 1162 1128 1348 1635 1559 1770 1216 1265

1270 1218 1696 1614 1197 1515 1482 1556 1618 1216

1425 1627 1614 1809

1020 308.2 3143 925 302.2 2795 1120 291.2 3261 1010 288.6 2914 925 283.6 2623 780 262.6 2048 1. Landmark, 2. SEJ,

On days of extreme fire danger, or on the day before, livestock should be moved into lower risk areas on-farm, or to a safer property.

Low risk areas include paddocks with green summer crops or lucerne; bare paddocks with no dry feed; or a ploughed paddock.

Low risk areas should not be next to areas of scrub or bushland and should be large enough to allow livestock to move around and away from a fire.

All low risk areas should have sufficient drinking water to enable livestock to remain in the area for extended periods of high fire risk and high temperatures, be protected by firebreaks and be free of leaf, twigs and bark buildup.

Areas where there are dams and swamps are another option to consider.

Stockyards have been known to successfully hold livestock during a fire if protected by a firebreak. If this is your preferred option, consider using a sprinkler system to minimise heat stress.

Horses should not be locked up in small areas or stables but rather should be moved to an open paddock with minimal vegetation, so they can move freely.

Horses are good at moving themselves to safe open areas.

If equipment such as rugs, halters and flyveils remain on horses, the plastic may melt, and metal buckles can burn the animal, so consider using rope halters for easier handling and management.

It’s crucial that gates remain closed that may allow livestock access to public roadways, as any animals will present a hazard to traffic in smoky conditions.

Livestock owners are urged to act early and not get caught trying to move stock as a fire approaches.

Listen to weather forecasts and observe your own environment to help you decide when to put your plan into action.

For further assistance on preparing a farm and livestock bushfire plan go to agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/emergencies or contact Agriculture Victoria on 136 186.