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Stewardship News -
Secure stock, healthy landscapes: The importance of stock containment and PIC registration
The Hills and Fleurieu region is home to a thriving agricultural sector and some of South Australia's most important native plants, animals and ecosystems. Whether you manage a commercial farm, keep a few sheep on a hobby block, or own horses, responsible livestock management helps protect our landscapes, neighbours and animals.
A key part of this responsibility is ensuring stock are securely contained and registered with a Property Identification Code (PIC).
Why containment matters
When livestock escape their boundaries, they become unconfined stock. While a wandering animal may seem harmless, unconfined stock can have significant environmental impacts.
Unrestricted grazing can remove groundcover, exposing soil to erosion and reducing pasture productivity. In the Hills and Fleurieu's steep landscapes and watercourses, bare ground is particularly vulnerable to erosion during heavy rainfall. Livestock can also compact soil, reducing water infiltration and affecting soil health.
Wandering stock may graze native seedlings, preventing natural regeneration of bushland, and can spread weed seeds between properties. They also pose risks to road users and neighbouring landholders.
A shared responsibility
Under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019, landholders have a responsibility to manage their land sustainably and keep animals securely contained. Maintaining fences, checking gates and addressing damage promptly are simple but important steps in preventing stock escapes.
When incidents occur, authorised officers work with landholders to identify animals and return them safely. However, higher-risk species such as pigs, goats and deer can pose significant environmental threats if they establish feral populations.
The value of a PIC
A Property Identification Code (PIC) is a unique code assigned by PIRSA to a property where livestock are kept. A PIC is required for anyone keeping livestock, including cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses, deer and alpacas, regardless of whether they are commercial producers or hobby farmers.
Having a PIC ensures authorities can contact livestock owners quickly during emergencies such as bushfires, disease outbreaks or biosecurity incidents. If stock escape, a PIC and appropriate identification can also help animals be returned to their owners quickly.
Practical steps for landholders
To help protect livestock and the environment:
- Regularly inspect fences and gates.
- Consider using Stock Containment Areas during feed shortages or wet conditions.
- Exclude stock from sensitive areas such as waterways and native vegetation.
- Seek advice on revegetation, fencing and land management projects.
- Explore grants and funding opportunities to support environmental improvements.
By keeping stock secure and maintaining an active PIC, landholders can help protect productive farmland, support biodiversity and contribute to a healthier Hills and Fleurieu landscape.
To register for a PIC or update your details, visit the PIRSA PIC registration portal.
