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Information Sessions On Managing Stock, Pastures And Fencing After The Fires

Specialists in livestock nutrition and pasture recovery after fire will be features at field days

By DPI - 24th February 2003 - Back to News

Specialists in livestock nutrition and pasture recovery after fire will be features at field days being run in the Omeo/Swifts Creek area and the Omeo Valley/Benambra area on Monday 3^rd March and at Wulgulmerang on Tuesday 4^th March. In addition a farmer from Seymour whose farm was burnt out by fire 10 years ago will relate his experiences on the key farm management issues he had to contend with in the ensuing 12 month recovery period after fire

The Fire Recovery Information sessions on Monday 3^rd March will be at John Wilcox’s woolshed, Black Camp Creek, starting at 10am and at the woolshed of Mrs Margery Scott and Mrs Anne Strang’s property, Hinnomunjie Station, from 2pm – 4pm.

On Tuesday 4^th March, the information session is being held at Hugh and Margaret Adams property, Black Mountain Station Wulgulmerang, from 10am to 12 noon.

The field days are being organised by the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) in conjunction with the Victorian Farmers Federation, and aim to help farmers affected by fire to best manage an already difficult on farm situation created by the prolonged dry seasonal conditions.

The fires have affected nearly 200 farms across East Gippsland with the cumulative effects of stock deaths, burnt hay reserves, sheds, fences and pastures having both immediate and long term consequences on farm income.

The recovery process has been under way for weeks, with DPI staff assisting with the destruction and burial of stock, and assessing the extent of damage to infrastructure. The DPI Agricultural Recovery team has also provided information kits to affected landholders.

As the full extent of damage hits home, the DPI’s recovery teams are aiming to provide technical information so that affected farmers can make more informed farm management decisions to best manage the difficult situation.

Issues of major concern include how to confine stock where fences have been destroyed, whether to feed stock at home or to chase agistment, and how to get through to next spring. Decisions concerning these issues have been made more difficult by the high cost of brought-in feed, and the scarcity of agistment. Speakers at the field days will discuss a range of management options and their implications

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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