Farmers in the Wimmera, Mallee, North Central and the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (CMA) regions can now access grants to establish stock containment areas to help manage their livestock in the dry conditions being experienced in these areas.

Stock containment areas enable farmers to fence off part of the farm to hold, feed and water livestock in tough conditions such as drought and after a bushfire. $500,000 was allocated from the recently launched drought package to co-fund stock containment areas.

Grants of up to $2000 are available to farmers to assist with implementing this valuable management tool. Stock containment areas deliver a range of benefits during droughts including minimising soil erosion, enabling faster pasture recovery, limiting the spread of weeds and allowing for good stock management.

This program is being administered through the Mallee, Wimmera, North Central and Goulburn Broken CMAs. Advice, assessment and prioritisation of suitable sites for stock containment areas, will be provided by the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR) through the Drought Extension Program.

Program guidelines including eligibility criteria, are available at www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/drought or directly via participating CMAs: Wimmera CMA on 5382 1544, North Central CMA on 5448 7124, Mallee CMA on 50514 377 and Goulburn Broken CMA on 5822 7700.

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Dougal Purcell, Director of Agriculture Services, DEDJTR said: "Farmers in the target CMA regions of Victoria should contact their local CMA to access funding to implement stock containment areas.

"Stock containment areas help to protect farm natural resource assets from the impacts of dry conditions by enabling farmers to better manage crop stubble and pastures, hence minimising risk of soil erosion.

"If you and your family are struggling there’s drought support available - don’t go it alone."

For further information please contact:

Communications Officer, North Central CMA
PO Box 18, Huntly VIC 3551

t: 03 5448 7124
e: info@nccma.vic.gov.au