Wild Dog and Pest Control

Case Study: Fencing for kangaroo management at Winton, Qld

Gallagher, 04/01/2015

The following case study has been provided by Gallagher

Shane and Jodi Axford, Goolma, Winton, Qld

Feeling the effects of up to 1700 kangaroos in a 1620-hectare paddock was the impetus for Shane and Jodi Axford to investigate feral fencing.

“We needed to vermin proof the irrigation block, so the kangaroos didn’t come in and eat all our crops and pastures, and also to stop the feral pigs coming in and rooting up the ground.

“Last year the roos were ridiculously thick. There were 1,500 to 1,700 in 4,000-acre [1,620ha] paddocks. And they were just poor, hungry and full of worms.

“Large roos are about 0.6 of a dry sheep equivalent, and the medium-sized ones are about three-quarters of that. That’s a lot of extra water, a lot of extra mouths. It was a big problem.”

On the pulse

So Shane researched electric fencing and came up with the Gallagher M2800i Energiser.

“It’s great because it’s 240 mains, as well as having a solar kit.

“But the other thing is the pulse. I put quite a bit of research into the type and amount of pulse, and the Gallagher one, to me, was ahead of all the rest.”

Shane and Jodi set up an initial five kilometres of electric fencing around their irrigated paddocks.

“The initial purpose was to keep our hay safe. They say that roos don’t eat sorghum, but when it’s that dry — like now — they’ll eat anything, especially when it’s small.

“If we didn’t have a fence, we wouldn’t be able to bale any hay because our crop wouldn’t be able to get ahead of the kangaroos. We just couldn’t afford lose all that productivity.”

The 1,370mm tall (four foot, six inch) fence uses a hinged joint netting. With no internal stock pressure, there are two hotwires on the external side: one is 25.4mm (10”) off the ground, and the other sits between the barbwire and the netting, both using Gallagher 200mm locksets. Steel posts are 10 metres apart.

Electric fencing gives better protection

Shane says they chose electric fencing over conventional because it could keep out the kangaroos.

“The roos would have just kept hammering and hammering the conventional fence until they went through and busted it.

“In fact, when we were in the process of building it, they wrecked 200 metres before we got the electricity to it, trying to get back into the sorghum block. So electrifying it as we went was the only way we could stop the roos punching their way through.”

Shane and Jodi bought their current property three years ago.Wanting to maximise productivity, they knew they would need a good strategy against feral animals. “We put the fence in just over a year ago. We had a crop of oats in, but I knew there was no way in the world we could setup irrigation here without fencing it. And you can’t stop roos and pigs without the electricity.”

Getting on with work

Shane says the impact of the fence on his day-to-day management of the property has been huge.

“I just don’t have to worry about roos on the irrigation block. It’s a lot less stress and we can actually get a return for all our work! So that’s the big benefit. And we’re cutting 20 to 23 four-by-three round bales an acre, as opposed to probably five to 10, if we were lucky before the fence.

“Since we put the fence up a year ago, we haven’t had a single pig on the irrigation block, and just four roos have gone over it. That’s a massive, massive difference.”

Minimal maintenance

Shane says maintenance is minimal.

“It’s so small. I put the monitor at the gate, and just read it every time I go past. It’s 15 seconds to check the indicator, a day, and then if there’s a problem it’s only 20 minutes to go around and see where it is. During the first week we had tangled wires; since then, I haven’t had any problems. It’s totally effective.” 

Service key

“I really like the Gallagher locksets; they’re way stronger than what I’d thought they’d be. Actually when they turned up, they came with the wrong bolts, really soft bolts, which broke very easily. I rang up and it was an overnight fix. Gallagher were really good with the technical support and follow-up support; the rep was superb, we were well supported. They came and checked the fence over after I’d finished setting it all up, and had also helped me to price it up.”

Next project: wild dogs

“We’re now looking at the next project, which is to set up electric fencing for the wild dogs that are coming towards the property. Our rams are a big investment, so we’ll vermin proof those paddocks next, to make sure they’re protected. And for that job, electric fencing, is the only way to go.”

Summary of operations:

“Goolma”

  • 12,150ha, at Winton, Qld
  • 40.5ha irrigation
  • 5,500 Merino ewes
  • 300 Droughtmaster cattle
Products:

  • M2800 i Series Energizer
  • Solar Kit (2 x 60W panels + regulator and inverter)
  • 3 super earth kits
  • 1 remote monitor
  • 600 x 260mm lockset offsets
  • 20 x 160mm single locksets
  • 2.7mm High Conductive Lead-Out Cable
  • 5.5km internal feral electric fencing
  • Locksets on one side
  • 1 x hotwire between barb and netting
  • 1 x hotwire 247mm off ground

 

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