It advised livestock owners to act early, not get caught trying to move stock as a bushfire approaches, listen to the weather forecasts and observe the environment to help decide when to put their plans in action.
During the devastating bushfire season in 2019 and 2020, primary producers had to move about 160,000 animals to alternative locations across Victoria and interstate urgently — prior, during and post the bushfires.
This was on top of the damaged fencing, destroyed supplementary feed stores, burnt pastures and devastating loss of thousands of sheep and cattle.
Agriculture Victoria said a key factor in minimising the threat to livestock during a bushfire or on extreme fire days was to identify safer areas on-farm where livestock can be moved to.
To reduce potential injury and death to livestock it recommended farmers consider relocating stock to designated low-risk areas during days of high fire danger and Total Fire Bans.
Low risk areas include ploughed paddocks, areas cultivated and kept free of combustible vegetation, bared-out paddocks (provided they are well defended by fire breaks), irrigated paddocks or paddocks containing green summer crops, and stockyards that can be wet in advance.
However, stockyards must be well defended as the fire front passes.
Stockyards have been known to successfully hold livestock during a bushfire, if protected by a firebreak. Agriculture Victoria said consider using a sprinkler system as similar to stock being held together on a hot day, they can suffer heat stress.
All low-risk areas should have sufficient drinking water to enable stock 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 build up.
Areas where there are dams and swamps are another possible option.
It is crucial not to open gates that may allow stock access to public roadways, as any animals will be a hazard to traffic in smoky conditions.
Agriculture Victoria said when it comes to horses not to lock them up in small areas or stables, as they are good at moving themselves to safe, open areas and usually suffer minimal burns if left to do so.
It's important to remove rugs, halters and flyveils as the plastic may melt, and metal buckles can burn if hot enough. Agriculture Victoria suggested rope halters for easier handling and management.
For assistance in preparing a farm and livestock bushfire plan, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/emergencies or contact the Agriculture Victoria Customer Service Centre on 136 186.
For more information on stock containment areas for emergencies, go to go.vic.gov.au/Ex53E4
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