Farmers and graziers use the poison to protect pastures and crops from various herbivorous mammals. "graziers" (Australia & U.K.), or simply "stockmen". Farmers and graziers own 135,997 farms, covering 61% of Australia's landmass. Bendemeer is principally a business hub for local sheep and cattle graziers. The cattle graziers have left a legacy of mountain huts scattered across the area. They are mostly government employees, traders, graziers living in urban and semi-urban area. In 1842, Andrew Petrie recorded good pastoral lands and forests, attracting graziers to the region. The abandoned homestead stands as a stark reminder of the tough conditions graziers faced. The wealthy graziers of Victoria's western district proved to be a much better market. The high Snowy Mountains were long used by graziers for summer pasturelands. The area was used by mountain graziers during the summer months for many years.