Committing to a major fencing investment is a big decision, but the benefits are there for those willing to take the plunge according to Noel Cook, who runs a mixed enterprise at Goondiwindi.
Mr Cook has seen a marked reduction in the numbers of pigs, dogs and roos coming onto “Kindon Station” since installing over 25 kilometres of exclusion fence.
He runs over 6,000 Herefords and grows wheat, sorghum, oats and forage oats for his cattle on nearly 5000 hectares.
Despite an existing dog fence on three sides, Mr Cook was still having trouble with feral animals.
“Like most people, we used traditional control measures like baiting, but we just weren’t getting on top of the numbers.
“With cattle prices where they are, and seasons as tough as they are, it just occurred to me that we needed to do a bit more to protect our business from the threat,” Mr Cook said.
“I’d seen the Waratah exclusion fencing system before, and was impressed by the durability. It’s heavy duty, serious gear and the way it’s installed seems suited to the environment I’m dealing with here.
“Some of the other products out there just didn’t seem durable enough to stand up to the strain.
“It’s been a gradual process over the past twelve months, but now the contractors are done, I’ve noticed that pig numbers have reduced a lot, and the roos are slowing down as well,” he said.
Using the full Waratah system to close the loop between existing dog fencing, Mr Cook has been able to reduce the threat to his livestock and crop yields.
“It’s a big investment, but making a living from the land is full of things beyond your control, and to me it just makes sense to control what you can, where you can,” Mr Cook said.
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This story was first published in The Fence magazine.
