Welcome to the October edition of ‘Around the Camp’. This month’s theme is wild dogs, there are videos on trapping,wild dog control fact sheets, some interesting research findings and don’t forget to take a look at the footage that has come from a remote camera in South West Qld. As always if you have a suggestion for an article or any feedback then please let us know! We hope you enjoy this months articles.
- Are you thinking about exclusion fencing? If so, this bus trip is for you!
- Wild dog trapping video, fact sheets and DVD
- Wild dog control is no harm to wildlife
- Remote camera footage of wild dogs
- Australian hunter and landowner survey
- Upcoming events
- eBulletins
1. Are you thinking about exclusion fencing? If so, this bus trip is for you!
If you are considering exclusion fencing for your property, this is a golden opportunity to benefit from the hindsight and experience of others. You will see a range of fence types and products and talk with the producers who have constructed these fences. South West NRM and Leading Sheep invite all interested producers on day trip to visit four properties who have installed exclusion fencing for the control of wild dogs, pigs and total grazing pressure.
Bus leaves Bollon at 5:45am on Monday 24th November (depending on interest, a bus may also depart from Charleville)
To reserve your seat on the bus or to find out more information contact:
- Heather Smith, Regional Landcare Facilitator, South West NRM, 0428 220 136, rlf@swnrm.org.au
- Amy Brown, South West Qld Coordinator, Leading Sheep 07 4625 6129, heatherstation@bigpond.com
To view the bus trip flyer or itinerary, click here
2. Wild dog trapping video, fact sheets and DVD
There are a number of different resources available, free of charge, that might help you pick up new skills and information about trapping. See below for some of the resources:
- Wild dog trapping methods video – watch here
- Wild dog fact sheets
- A free DVD that shows producers how to use traps in wild dog control is available from the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre contact@invasiveanimals.com or (02) 6201 2887. The DVD, ‘Managing Vertebrate Pests – introduction to using foot hold traps for the capture of wild dogs and foxes’, includes State-by-State guides to regulations for the use of foot hold traps and provides proven techniques and tips from a variety of locations across Australia.
3. Wild dog control is no harm to wildlife
New research from the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre (IACRC), Biosecurity Queensland and The University of Queensland (UQ) shows that dingo and wild dog control methods, such as poison-baiting, is not detrimental to wildlife and does not give an advantage to other predators.
UQ PhD candidate and IACRC researcher at Biosecurity Queensland Ben Allen said the study looked at dingo and wild dog control in Australia’s beef cattle rangelands. “We found that fox and feral cat populations do not get out of control when you bait dingoes, and wildlife declines just don’t happen,” he said.
To read more about the research and findings, click here
4. Remote camera footage of wild dogs
South West NRM with the assistance of producers are targeting the wild dog population within the region. Images and movies captured with motion activated security cameras assisted a property owner in monitoring the behavioural patterns and population of these wild animals, which allows for targeted control methods. If you have any questions please contact Jed Sommerfield at SWNRM on 07 4656 8500.
To view the short video of the wild dogs coming into a water point, click here
5. Australian hunter and landowner survey
It may come as no surprise to both producers and hunters that better coordination of on-farm hunting activities is required. This is one of the preliminary findings of the Australian Hunter and Landowner Survey, currently open to producers and hunters around the country. The independent survey – the first of its kind on such a scale – has had an overwhelmingly positive response. Conducted by Agricultural Scientist and hunter, James Tyson, the survey has been completed by almost 1000 hunters and producers from every State and Territory in Australia; despite only being open for a matter of weeks. Find out more about the survey.
Your input is valuable, so please take the time to complete the survey.
6. Upcoming events
Road to Resilience, Tie up the Black Dog, (Wayne Bennett & Craig Hamilton – speakers) – more information
- 14 November, 6:15pm start, Roma Cultural Centre
- 15 November, 6:15pm start, Goondiwindi Community Centre
Nutrition Edge, 11-13 November, Longreach, for more information or to register, click here
South west Qld exclusion fencing bus trip, 24 November, bus leaving from Bollon at 5:45am. To reserve a seat or for more information, click here.
AgForce 360 series, 25 November, Brisbane – for more details, click here
Muttaburra Information Day, 28 November, Muttaburra – for more details and to register, click here
7.eBulletins
AWI Woolgrowers eNewsletter – October
Agricultural news – Spring edition
Monday motivations