AGRICULTURE Victoria is advising livestock owners to assess their livestock feed situation, as failing to provide proper and sufficient feed to livestock is an offence under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986.

Agriculture Victoria senior officer of animal welfare, Morgan Cassell, said producers need to make appropriate decisions regarding their livestock and ability to provide adequate feed.

Livestock owners and managers should ask:

• what are the nutritional requirements for the class and number of livestock I keep?

• how much feed do I currently have on offer and is it meeting my livestock’s energy and protein requirements?

• how much supplement feed do I need to be feeding?

• will I have enough? Will I be able to source more?

• what alternative options do I have; agistment, destocking?

“If you aren’t sure of any of the answers to these questions, you need to seek advice or do your research,” Ms Cassell said.

“There are many free resources and tools available to help and once you know the answers you can then make an informed decision, plan and take action.”

For information on feeding livestock visit Agriculture Victoria’s Feeding Livestock website at feedinglivestock.vic.gov.au

“You will find information on sheep and cattle nutrition, tools to help calculate feed-on-offer and interpret feed test results and templates to create a feed budget,” Ms Cassell said.

“Otherwise, you can also put in a call to your local Agriculture Victoria Livestock Extension Officer on 136 186.

“Agriculture Victoria will investigate any allegation which concerns an owner or person in charge failing to provide proper and sufficient feed to an animal.”

Anyone wishing to make a specific complaint regarding livestock welfare can contact Agriculture Victoria at aw.complaint@agriculture.vic.gov.au