Clearing out the dogs at Morven

He has even increased the carrying capacity of his property Banff Downs by more than 10 per cent, despite a two-and-half-year dry period, and has plans to increase stocking by a further

10pc to 16,000 DSE.

Most of this increase will be in sheep numbers, which Mr Williams says will be easily achieved now that grazing pressure from kangaroos has been reduced to a manageable level and wild dogs are no longer a major issue.

In 2011 lambing on Banff Downs was as low as 40pc in some paddocks and wild dogs were slowly encroaching.

Mr Williams decided that he had to fence the property or leave the sheep industry for good.

The reduced impact of wild dogs and pigs has resulted in average lambing rates across Banff Downs of up to 96pc.

The fence was completed in June 2012 and took about 18 months to install.

Average cost of materials was $2850/km, which took account of contributions from neighbours and the use of old fence in some sections.

Mr Williams estimates site preparation and construction cost an additional $2000/km.

The total cost was about $4850/km or $204,000 for the entire 42km project. This translates to an investment of $10 per acre.

Mr Williams checks the fence once a month by motorbike, which takes about two hours.

Tim and his son Hamish Williams Banff Downs Morven.

He also checks it after a storm.

In contrast, before the fence was built he was spending a day a week on wild dog control.

"More checking was required in the first two months after construction, as there was a lot more pressure from kangaroos at this time," he said.

"There has been some extra maintenance needed on a section of fence that was constructed right next to an old dog netting fence.

"The roos tend to follow the same tracks as they always have, which led them to the old fence- holes and they end up hitting the new fence at speed.

"They always hit the same spot, which has caused a weak point and some holes.

"If I started this project over, I would pay the extra money and make sure all old fences were knocked down and started afresh to avoid these problems.

"I am surprised at how little maintenance the fence needs - there may be more in the future as the fence ages but this shouldn't become an issue for a few years yet."

Mr Williams started seeing results from the fencing during lambing in 2012.

Two paddocks achieved 97pc, while a third mob achieved 70pc after it was compromised by a dog that entered via a gate that had been left open.

The following year, 2013, was the first proper lambing that he achieved, with no dogs present at lambing time.

In 2014, three paddocks averaged 95-100 per cent, while a fourth paddock only achieved 60 per cent due to pig pressures, which had increased in the absence of wild dogs that had previously kept their numbers in check. The pigs were inside the fence before it was closed, and were eradicated with a shooting and baiting program.

Overall, he has increased his lambing rates from 40 per cent or lower to his current average of 87 per cent.

Based on an average value of $50 per lamb, he estimates that his income has been boosted by as much as $47,150 through increasing lamb numbers from 684 to 1627.

Working on this increased income each year, it means that the fence cost ($204,000) will be covered in five years by the extra income.

This also doesn't take into account the reduced ewe mortality, increased land condition and the control Tim now has over his business.

"More ewes mean I can start classing them harder and cull non-performing animals. I can make management changes to the business that will improve production, rather than just surviving and making decisions dictated by predators influence," he said.

Mr Williams is now in the process of building up his ewe numbers. He will be joining 2300 ewes in 2015, with the intention of joining 3000 in 2016.

As well as dog control, a key benefit of the fence is making kangaroo numbers manageable, and thus the ability to spell and improve grazing country with confidence.

"The fence means that there won't be a big migration of kangaroos onto the place every time there is a storm," Mr Williams said.

"I am currently stick raking some country to develop and grow some oats to help finish lambs and young cattle. This was previously done on Banff Downs but it was stopped when grazing pressure got too much and the crop was eaten by kangaroos as soon as it came up."

"I am also not feeding as much lick to cattle and sheep this year, and I'm not supplementing ewes at joining this year, as I normally would have to do because of the reduced grazing pressure from kangaroos.

Leading Sheep will be holding a predator control field day on Wednesday, June 24, from 8.30am at the Goondiwindi Showgrounds.