The charges, under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, involved a herd of approximately 270 dairy cattle on a property at Cobram.

Victorian Department of Primary Industries (DPI) prosecutor, barrister Tim Tyler, last week told the court department officers had attended the property on numerous occasions to assess the situation, to humanely destroy downer animals and to provide advice on the proper care of the animals.

Mr Tyler told the court the inspectors reported the cattle were suffering as a result of the owner's failure to provide sufficient feed and that 44 had died or been destroyed over the course of the investigation.

Magistrate Reg Marron found the owner guilty of the 44 charges, convicted him and sentenced him to six months in jail (suspended for two years).

He also fined the man $15,000, banned him from owning animals for five years and awarded $6227.70 costs to the DPI.

DPI senior veterinary officer, Dr George Miller, said the case was a timely reminder that it is an offence for livestock owners not to provide for the welfare or livestock.

"All reasonable attempts must be made to ensure suffering and weak animals are euthanased, and proper and sufficient feed is supplied to livestock," Dr Miller said.

"The only alternative is to sell the livestock.

"Owners cannot leave animals to die and, even in the face of drought, they must make arrangements to either feed livestock or dispose of them by sale or euthanasia."

* Information on livestock management is available from DPI Animal Health staff or at www.dpi.vic.gov.au.