Cattle feedlot

Cattle feedlot production systems

Cattle feedlots involve growing and finishing cattle for the purpose of beef cattle production. No breeding activities occur at cattle feedlots. Typically, cattle spend a minimum of 50 days on feed in a feedlot, although some specialist long-fed cattle are kept for 400 days or more.

Planning requirements for feedlots

Use and development of cattle feedlots above 50 head

All use and development of cattle feedlots must comply with the Victorian Code for Cattle Feedlots 1995 . The Code must be complied with to the satisfaction of the responsible authority.

To request a copy Victorian Code for Cattle Feedlots 1995, or request advice, email the Agriculture Victoria Planning and Advisory Service at: agvic.planning@agriculture.vic.gov.au

There are a range of zones where cattle feedlots may be permitted, and this is outlined in the Victoria Planning Provisions:

• Farming Zone
• Rural Activity Zone
• Green Wedge Zone.

Cattle feedlots are Prohibited in all other Zones.

To determine if an activity is permissible in one of the above zones, the local council should be consulted as local laws may apply that restrict certain uses.

For more information on permit requirements across zones in Victoria, download:

• Permit requirements across zones in Victoria (PDF - 89.3 KB)
• Permit requirements across zones in Victoria - accessible (WORD - 95.9 KB)

Information for Cattle feedlots of less than 50 head

Cattle feedlots of less than 50 head which meet the following requirements and have lodged a completed proposal form (Appendix 4 of the Victorian Code for Cattle Feedlots 1995) with the responsible authority (local council) that demonstrates compliance of Section 4.2 of the Victorian Code for Cattle Feedlots 1995 , are deemed as-of-right for planning purposes.

To request a copy Victorian Code for Cattle Feedlots 1995, or request advice, email the Agriculture Victoria Planning and Advisory Service at: agvic.planning@agriculture.vic.gov.au

The information provided below only applies to cattle feedlots of less than 50 head.

Approved measures

1. The cattle feedlot is sited outside a declared special water supply catchment.
2. The cattle feedlot is sited on land which is above the 1 in 100 year flood level. Where such information is not available, the site for the feedlot is outside an area known to be subject to flooding.
3. No part of the cattle feedlot is closer than 300m to a farmhouse on an adjoining property.
4. Minimum set back of 200m from a watercourse, groundwater recharge area, bore or spring.
5. Minimum set back of 800m from the full level of a water storage used for the supply of potable water, or the take-off or bore for the supply of potable water.
6. Minimum set back of 200m from any road.
7. Density of not more than  one head of cattle per 20 sqms of pen area (pen area divided by number of cattle equals pen density).
8. Pens have a uniform slope of not less than 2% and not greater than 6%.
9. Wastes are prevented from flowing toward the watercourse by mounds or levies, unless traversing a prepared dispersal area (show on a plan).
10. Fresh runoff water is prevented from running into the feedlot area by mounds or levies.
11. Liquid wastes are dispersed by spreader banks or contour furrows or drainage levies where required to ensure adequate dispersion.
12. The area for liquid waste dispersal is not less than 2 hectares.
13. The area for solid waste application to land is not less than 1 hectare for every 5 head of cattle housed in the feedlot. Wastes are to be incorporated into a vegetation production system.
14. An area of not less than 2.5m around the drinking trough is kept substantially free of manure and dressed with crushed rock or concrete.
15. An area of not less than 2.5m around the feed trough is kept substantially free of manure and dressed with crushed rock or concrete.
16. Pens are cleaned at least annually.
17. Operated in a manner to keep the surface in a generally dry condition and avoid the development of wet areas within the pen area.
18. Operated in a manner to keep feed and water troughs in a clean condition.
19. The cattle feedlot is maintained so as to prevent the propagation of weeds and the breeding and spread of vermin and flies.

If any of the approved measures 1 to 19 above is not met, the feedlot must be assessed in accordance with the provisions of Elements 1 to 8 of Section 4.3 in the Victorian Code for Cattle Feedlots 1995.

A full proposal must then be completed and provided to the local Shire council.

Failure to comply with any of these requirements will place a feedlot operation in breach of the Victorian Code for Cattle Feedlots 1995 and the 'State Planning Scheme' of your local shire council.

Further information on Cattle feedlots

PPN87: Preparing a planning permit application for animal production

This practice note provides information and guidance for applicants about preparing a planning permit application to use and develop land for animal production.

View PPN87 at the Department of Transport and Planning.

Contact

For further information contact the Agriculture Victoria Planning and Advisory Service for all agricultural land use planning enquiries on agvic.planning@agriculture.vic.gov.au.