DESPITE a devastating summer of bushfires, primary producers on Kangaroo Island are already bouncing back and looking to the Limestone Coast to help rebuild the region’s sheep flock.
The Kangaroo Island fires started on December 20 and burnt 210,000ha – almost half of the island – across a 612km perimeter before being declared contained on January 21.
Primary Industries and Regions South Australia estimates sheep losses at almost 60,000 which equates to around 10pc of the 600,000 strong flock.
Elders Kingscote livestock manager Greg Downing said his clients had lost about 30,000 sheep in the fires and had since purchased around 9000 head from the South East, the Mid North and New South Wales.
“We have probably bought six or seven thousand now and we will be looking to buy another 2000,” Mr Downing said.
“So far we have purchased sheep for about six farms with more looking to purchase very shortly.
“Fences are going up in parts so people are going to be able to secure sheep again.”
Stock have been agisted across the Limestone Coast and the Fleurieu Peninsula while fences are rebuilt on the island.
Although there has not been a jump in sheep sales through the region’s saleyards, Elders Naracoorte agent Alan Thomson said the stock had been purchased on-farm.
“They are looking to get breeding ewes from properties,” he said.
“I think they are looking for cross-bred or Merinos, I do not think it matters too much at this point.
“The main focus is joining them and having them lamb in June or July – they want to get back into the swing of things as soon as possible.”
Mr Thomson said this meant an extra influx of money to Limestone Coast farmers who had kept sheep for restocking.
In the past year, sheep prices have skyrocketed, with record-breaking sales across the country’s saleyards and demand remaining strong.
Mr Downing said this made it expensive for Kangaroo Island farmers to rebuild flocks.
“There is a variation from $200 to $350 subject to breed and age group – the younger they are then generally the more expensive they are and Merinos have generally been cheaper than the traditional Border Leicester-Merinos and we have bought composite ewes as well,” he said.
“Beggars cannot be choosers so we are going to have to take anything that’s going to give us some production.”
Mr Downing said the biggest issue was getting fences up to secure stock and accessing enough fodder to keep livestock fed until consistent rains could fuel winter pasture growth.
“We are having a lot of trouble getting enough hay across the water that we need to keep the local flock and herd fed,” he said.
“Livestock SA is doing a fantastic job and the freight’s been heavily subsidised but I think we need to get a lot more hay coming.
“My plan is to buy 20,000 to 30,000 (sheep) before June or July and I’m only servicing my clients at this stage who have lost about 30,000 of the 50,000.
“If they do not have production then they do not have an income and that makes the situation even worse.”
