Background
Running 3,500 ewes alongside a cropping enterprise east of Temora, Ben has firsthand experience managing livestock through challenging seasons.
With support from Local Land Services' Drought Adoption Officer Geoff Minchin, he has accessed practical advice and local expertise to improve infrastructure, support key business decisions and strengthen the resilience of his farming operation.
Funded through the Future Drought Fund, via the Southern NSW Innovation Hub, the Drought Adoption Officer program connects producers with experienced local advisors who provide technical support, trusted guidance and practical solutions tailored to individual businesses.
For Ben, that support has delivered value beyond a single project.
Investing in preparedness
The Kotzur family built their first stock confinement feeding area about a decade ago and quickly recognised its value.
"We just knew we had to do it," Ben said of the decision to build a second confinement area more recently. "We'd seen the benefits from having one."
Confinement feeding areas reduce pressure on paddocks, maintain groundcover and help pastures recover faster when conditions improve. They also provide greater certainty around water quality and feed supply when seasonal conditions become challenging.
The need for additional infrastructure became increasingly apparent during the dry conditions of late 2024 and throughout 2025.
"The whole of 2025 was a pretty tricky year to manage," Ben said.
By early 2026, paddock water supplies were under increasing pressure, reinforcing the value of having systems in place to support livestock while protecting the broader farm.
"The confinement areas help us with ensuring that the stock have reliable and quality drinking water as well as feed stability," he said.
Access to expertise supports better outcomes
When planning the second confinement feeding area, Ben had already identified a potential location. However, integrating it with planned yard upgrades, a shearing shed redevelopment and existing infrastructure created several design challenges.
This is where Geoff's support proved valuable.
"We had the location sort of pegged out roughly and then he came out to the farm to take a look," Ben said. "We decided as a result to move it a little."
Working together, Ben and Geoff refined the layout to accommodate roads, power poles and future infrastructure while maximising functionality.
"Geoff's knowledge is pretty good, and he definitely helped us with the specifics of how to implement and locate this new set-up."
The project reflects the role Drought Adoption Officers play in helping producers move from ideas to implementation. The project demonstrates how Drought Adoption Officers support producers to assess options, share knowledge and make informed decisions suited to their business.
Over the past two years, Geoff has also been a trusted sounding board for broader management decisions, including feeding programs and stocking strategies during challenging seasonal conditions.
Managing livestock through variable seasons
Today, the Kotzur operation uses its confinement feeding areas strategically to manage seasonal risk, maintain water quality and support livestock performance.
Due to difficult seasonal conditions over the past couple of years, which have compromised water quality in the paddock and meant less pasture availability, pregnant ewes have been placed in the confinement feeding area after scanning.
"So we know exactly what we're feeding them, and that the water they’re drinking is clean," Ben said.
Using measured feeding systems, Ben can accurately manage grain rations and ensure twin- and triplet-bearing ewes receive the additional nutrition they need.
The system also makes day-to-day stock management easier.
"We can keep an eye on them all."
Having two confinement feeding areas provides additional flexibility, reducing the need to move stock long distances in search of feed and water while ensuring reliable supplies during dry periods.
As feed availability and water security become increasingly variable, that flexibility allows the business to respond quickly to changing conditions while protecting valuable pasture resources.
The value of local knowledge
For Ben, one of the greatest benefits of working with Geoff is knowing he has access to someone who understands both farming and the local region.
"It's really valuable to have people like Geoff working at Local Land Services because they want to work with you – to help you, help us improve," he said.
Importantly, Ben sees the relationship as one based on support and collaboration.
"He's not about telling us what we're doing wrong but supporting us to do it better and get more productivity out of our operation."
Geoff's farming background and long-standing knowledge of the district provide additional confidence when discussing ideas and weighing up options.
"The fact that he's a farmer himself really helps – he gets it. Plus he's got long-term local knowledge having been here a long time."
Building resilience for the future
The Southern NSW Innovation Hub's investment in the Drought Adoption Officer program is helping producers access the trusted expertise needed to navigate increasingly variable seasonal conditions.
For Ben, that support has helped improve infrastructure planning, strengthen decision-making and build on management strategies already proven to deliver results.
The addition of a second stock confinement feeding area has given the business greater flexibility in feed and water management, helping protect valuable pasture resources and support livestock productivity through challenging seasons.
