As Queensland's goat industry goes from strength to strength, graziers are now focused on boosting the genetics of their herds.
The strong demand for genetics was clear at a sale of Boer bucks at St George on Friday, where Rob and Colin Ramsay, West Wyalong, NSW, sold all 46 of the yearling bucks that they offered in their first Queensland sale.
David Owens, Longreach, who now runs a goat herd as an adjunct to his Merino flock, bought seven bucks and paid the top money of $1000.
"The dog fence has made a big change for the goat industry. Obviously the prices are out of control, so lots of people are putting goats and Dorpers behind the wire," Mr Owens said.
Goats have been popular in the central west for some time, but as wild dog exclusion fencing changes the grazing industry in the south-west, St George is transforming into a major sheep and goat selling centre.
Balonne Shire Mayor Richard Marsh said the sale was just the beginning as the council works to build a new economy for the region.
Councillor Marsh said there had been extensive private investment in exclusion fencing in recent years, and now the council was helping to close fencing gaps and pest access corridors.
"We've seen an opportunity and we've grabbed it for our region," Cr Marsh said.
"The council is offering financial support for landholders who have been unable to fence their properties so far and that will see sheep numbers jump by 100,000."
For Jeremy McMillan, goats have been a saviour for his drought-stricken Teelba property.
"We put up an exclusion fence and moved a mob of ferals behind the wire and they went from 40 to 400 in three years. It's paying the feed bills for the cows."
Mr McMillan is feeding 700 cows that have just calved.
He will wean the calves in January and send his breeders to slaughter and try to hold his Dorpers and goats through the dry.
The Ramsays also offered 53 White Dorper rams, selling 21 for a top price of $1000.
Thallon grazier Mick Hetherington, who bought Dorper rams at the sale, was initially sceptical of exclusion fencing but after seeing it work for his neighbour he fenced his property last year.
He is supportive of the Balonne Shire Council's move to help more producers erect fences.
"Every fence that goes up is going to help because it's another barrier for the dogs, so I think it's a good initiative. Good for the region. Good for the town."
For stud breeder Rob Ramsay, the St George sale was a risk due to seasonal conditions, but he said he wasn't disappointed by the outcome.
Mr Ramsay said exclusion fencing was changing land use throughout the region and making sheep and goats a viable option, especially as prices have been at record highs for a long time.
"St George is the gateway to these vast new areas of grazing making it the perfect selling location," Mr Ramsay said.
"This is a very promising market and we're excited by it.
"We want to position ourselves so that we're here for the long term."
GDL selling agent Anthony Hyland said exclusion fences would result in more profitability for local graziers and cement St George as a major selling centre.
"Cattle still have their place in the district but a lot of our clients are looking at paddocks that can't sustain their cattle numbers but could get a mob of sheep or goats through a full season and generate the same income, if not more."
