Over 112,000 feral pigs have been culled across NSW since October 2023. Photo: Supplied.
The NSW Government’s 2023/24 Feral Pig Program has produced high culling numbers since the initiative was introduced in October last year.
Over 8700 feral pigs have been killed in the Riverina and Murray regions since the $13 million program began. The success of the program’s first year has seen the NSW Government announce a further $13.1 million extension of the project for 2024 and beyond.
Using cameras and motion sensors, the automated trap technology is a time efficient and easy method for farmers to control feral pigs, allowing them to remotely activate traps using their phones from anywhere at any time.
From Wagga Wagga to Griffith, Riverina landholders have also played a large role in the program, controlling more than 6000 feral pigs across the region.
According to statistics released by Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty, 6280 pigs have been culled in the Riverina, with a further 2464 culled in the Murray regions. The same stats show that 723 properties from both regions have worked with the State Government to ensure the program’s success.
More than 112,888 feral pigs have been culled across the state since October 2023, with almost 8 per cent of these culled in the Riverina and Murray regions.
Wanganella farmer Colin McCrabb expressed his approval of the program, stating that consultations and informative programs led by the NSW Government had helped him learn how to best monitor and trap feral pigs.
“In the drought, feral pigs were taking lambs and ewes, and there’s destruction of pasture and irrigation, but the biggest fear is biosecurity, with the transmission of disease including brucellosis,” he said.
“The last time I grew rice, as it matured, the pigs set nests up in the middle of the crop, just destroying it.
“Through the program, Local Land Services [LLS] assisted us with technology, advice and information about trapping, baiting and providing 1080. They also let us know when other people were baiting so we could coordinate with neighbours who were also trapping.
“Every feral pig that is not here is a good feral pig. We should all do what we can. I couldn’t believe how many were there.”
Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty said the NSW Government was committed to continuing the program in 2025 and beyond.
“I want to thank farmers across the Riverina and Murray, who have worked with LLS biosecurity officers to reduce the impacts of these pest animals,” she said.
“It’s been a huge, shared effort, but we still have work to do. That’s why we’ve committed a further $13.1 million to build on the successes so far.
“I encourage landholders to continue to participate in these control programs. Landholder participation is essential to maximising the effectiveness of a program.
Original Article published by Jarryd Rowley on Region Riverina.
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