DAMAGE and economic losses are commonplace for producers facing a kangaroo problem, but a strong fence has taken grapes and vines off the menu for kangaroos in Seymour, Victoria.
Fencing contractor David Cornthwaite said kangaroos were causing headaches across central Victoria, especially for one of his clients who owns a local vineyard.
"Kangaroos developed a taste for their vines and fruit and were doing hundreds of thousands of dollars of damage a year," Mr Cornthwaite said.
"The clients wanted to install fences that would keep out the 'roos and minimise their losses."
Mr Cornthwaite worked with the owners to devise a solution that would be effective and also fast to erect.
"We put in a 1.8-metre high fence using 240 centimetre JIO MaxY and JIO Star posts with Stocksafe-T wire," Mr Cornthwaite said.
"This combination was quicker than usual to assemble and we did 350 metres of fencing in a day and a half.
"It's only been up a few months, but the owners are yet to see a kangaroo in their vineyard."
Mr Cornthwaite said the success of this fence design was attracting interest from other landholders.
"It's a great result and I think it will be useful for other vineyards and other properties facing destruction from kangaroos," Mr Cornthwaite said.
"Cheaper materials just don't stand up to kangaroos determined to get to your crops.
"The damage kangaroos do means the investment in a strong, well-designed fence is worth it."
Waratah sales representative Wayne Weston said kangaroos were a regular topic of conversation for Victorian producers.
"Fences to stop kangaroos need to be at least one-and-a-half metres tall, but ideally 1.8m and made from quality products," Mr Weston said.
"Waratah has designed Stocksafe-T to specifically prevent animals penetrating the fence, making it an effective barrier for pest animals like kangaroos."
