Beef confinement feeding area at Ellerston, NSW

Introduction 

“Ellerston” is a 30,350 ha livestock enterprise located in the Hunter Valley region. The property runs approximately 9,000 beef cattle and 2,000 Merino and Dorper-cross sheep with an average annual rainfall of just over 800mm. Topography ranges from undulating valley floor to low and steep hills, which rise further to productive plateaus, with an elevation range of approximately 500m to 1300m.  

The original confinement feeding area was built in 2015 for the primary purpose of improving the beef enterprises’ weaning process. The idea was to wean animals in the area and move them through the adjacent yards regularly to accustom and train them to handling by people.  

During the drought in 2017-2020 and again in 2023 the use of the area with support from Local Land Services was expanded from a weaner feeding/management area to general drought feeding and early weaning. Additionally, the confinement feeding area is now also used for general livestock management activities, such as quarantining new stock. This is done to check for any potential health issues and reduce the spread of weed seeds when animals are introduced.   

Challenge

To select the best location to build a confinement feeding area  

The selected site has a slightly steeper slope than the recommended 4% (less than 5% slope) that contributes to increased run-off and possible erosion.

The lack of shade in and around the confinement feeding area is one of the considerations when planning and using the area, particularly as it relates to animal welfare.  

Access and proximity to facilities were major considerations that contributed to site selection. A challenge of the site is the distance to feed storage and machinery sheds. These are located a few kilometres away and contribute to increased time required to feed out. The site is also located within view of staff residences and a public road, which can be impacted by noise, odour and dust, although it does allow for easy monitoring of livestock.

Solution

The site’s good drainage was the primary reason for its selection. Appropriate slopes of less than 4% are limited on “Ellerston” and are generally found on creek flats or well away from other facilities and water making them unsuitable. To mitigate the possibility of erosion, a gravel base was laid in the pens and laneway. A levee bank across the top of the pens helps to divert run-off from further up the slope. The slope runs from the back to the front of the pen.  

There are no trees or shade structures in the pens, however surrounding hills provide some shelter from prevailing winds in winter. The site has a northerly aspect which maximises evaporation and dries out faster in wet periods.  

Although there are only short periods in the summer when heat loading can become an issue for cattle in the pens, at “Ellerston,” the livestock and weather are continually monitored. Possible heat loading is mitigated by limiting animals’ time in the area in hot summer months and avoiding weaning in periods of extreme temperatures or weather events. Livestock are also able to be let out into holding paddocks with shade.

The location has good all-weather access for both feed delivery and livestock movement. Gravel roads and lanes are useful for preventing bogging and reducing dust. After particularly wet periods, the area does need to be cleaned out and new gravel laid to reduce bogginess, which is an expense.  

The site is adjacent to the existing cattle yard facilities and connected by a laneway. This allows easy access for management of animals, including treatment of sick animals and handling of weaners. The water troughs in the confinement area and yards are connected to a tank that holds water from the nearby river. A back-up bore water supply is also available.  

Outcomes

The confinement feeding area is used for drought feeding and early weaning when livestock condition or the season dictates. The area is also used for weaning as part of a routine management calendar. 

The most obvious advantages of the system include maintenance of groundcover and the reduction of erosion in pastures, some of which are very steep, where animals would have grazed. The gravel base of yards, laneways and access roads also contributes to reduced erosion from management activities.

Aside from these benefits, other advantages of incorporating the confinement feeding area into the general farm operation has been the improved handling ease and temperament of animals held in the area.  It has been noted that bunk training improves the saleability of the animals and is attractive to feedlotters and other buyers.

“We are already seeing a premium in saleyards for yard-weaned animals, and I believe there will be a time when this is also the case in feedlots.” 

– Pastoral Manager

The area could be used for fattening feedlot animals on custom rations. This flexibility has increased management ease and reduced stress in dry times when animals need to be fed easily or calves weaned early.