Past NFACP Projects by State/Territory

Past NFACP Projects by State/Territory

For information on any of these projects please contact: APARP coordinator 

National

Development of training packages for the management of the impact of vertebrate pests in Australia

This project supported the development of nationally accredited training packages to feed into national competency standards for vertebrate pest management.

Extension/training modules to promote adoption of best practice pest management
Extension/training modules have been developed for use in NSW and other states to promote adoption of best practice management of rabbits, foxes, feral pigs and feral goats.

Promotion of pest management training package

A series of workshops were held around Australia to promote strategic management concepts to State and Territory agricultural protection staff. Workshop participants were provided with the training packages (consisting of video, CD-Rom, printed material, property management planning module and slides) and instructed in their effective use for advising landholders.

Establishment of a sustainable agriculture component of veterinary science undergraduate curriculum

NFACP support was provided to develop pest animal management and commercial use modules as part of a broader objective of promoting sustainable agriculture in veterinary and agricultural science courses in Australia.

Additional Information: Veterinary Conservation Biology - Undergraduate Course

Decision support systems for vertebrate pest control

This project developed a decision support system - which integrates economic and biological disciplines - for managing rabbits using a NSW Central Tablelands sheep grazing system as an example.

Additional Information: Managing vertebrate pests : Rabbits

Development of second stage of MOUSER, a DSS and information transfer system for mouse plague management

This project incorporated an economics model into the existing MOUSER decision support system based on results from previous and current BRS-supported mouse management demonstration projects. The DSS will help government agencies and landholders in irrigated and dryland agricultural areas to make more informed decisions about proactive and reactive mouse plague management.

Project product: Mouser Version 1.0
Project report: Development of a second stage of MOUSER, a DSS and information transfer system for mouse plague management

Develop and test a practical method for prioritising pest animal management areas across a region

Project developed a quantitative prioritisation method to achieve best allocation of limited pest management funds.

Additional Information: Pestplan | Pestplan Toolkit

Improving fox management strategies 

Project reviewed fox baiting strategies in Australia in light of recent research and promoted new strategies to increase the cost-effectiveness of baiting and reduce non-target risks. This work is critical in light of recent evidence that baiting practices throughout Australia are highly variable and sub-optimal in many cases.

The ecology of livestock predation

Project analysed extensive research data on the prey selection and hunting efficiency of wild dogs in relation to their age, social rank, territorial status and behaviour of prey. This project has implications for improving baiting strategies and should reduce ad hoc single-property programs.

Project report: Pack size and prey behaviour affects prey selection and the predation of livestock by dingoes

Strategic management of Rabbit Calicivirus Disease

RCD has substantially reduced rabbit populations over wide areas of Australia - particularly in low rainfall pastoral areas where there have been major benefits in pasture production and regeneration of vegetation. It has been estimated that RCD benefits the Australian wool industry by over $100 million annually and improves the sustainability of production. However, RCD has not been as effective in many higher rainfall areas and it may be possible to use the virus in conjunction with conventional control techniques to achieve better effect. This project will consider recent RCD work to recommend practical methods for increasing the effectiveness of RCD.

Project report: Making the most of Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease

The role of baiting in future best practice rabbit management

Poison baiting is a key component of integrated rabbit management - particularly in higher rainfall areas where RCD has been less effective and where warren ripping is not appropriate in some situations. This project assessed ways to improve the kill rate, target specificity, and quality control of baits.

Project report: Making the most of Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease

Economic evaluation of feral pig control strategies in North Queensland

The costs of feral pig impact on high-value sugarcane and horticultural enterprises in north Queensland can be considerable. Management of feral pigs in the area is problematic due to the large areas of inaccessible rainforest surrounding plantations, high rainfall and non-target issues which limit the potential of baiting. This project assessed the economics of a range of control strategies (particularly trapping) to reduce feral pig damage.

Project report: Preliminary report on damage and control costs associated with feral pigs

Significantly improving access to information on feral animal management

This project is developing an interactive website that promotes the strategic and integrated approach to managing the impacts of pest animals. It will provide a forum for ‘knowledge brokering’ and will be a useful source of information for anyone involved in pest animal research or management.

Additional Information: Feral Animal Web Portal 

Manual for monitoring of pest animals and their impacts

This project will investigate standardised monitoring approaches that are useful at the individual landholder and government levels.

Assessment of risks posed by exotic vertebrates in Australia

This project will use the risk assessment model developed by the Bureau of Rural Sciences to assess the threat posed to agriculture by a selection of exotic vertebrates already present in Australia (in captivity and newly established). A risk assessment of these species will assist State/Territory governments to make informed management decisions about the import and keeping of exotic vertebrates.

Additional Information: Risk assessment for the import and keeping of exotic vertebrates in Australia 

Development and registration of manufactured feral pig baits

This project will work with industry groups and feral pig experts to develop a manufactured feral pig bait. Such a product would improve the efficacy and safety of feral pig control and respond to current industry concerns about the immediate (agricultural and environmental) and potential (emergency animal disease threat) impacts of feral pigs.

Project report: Closing in on feral pigs

Towards national best practice strategies for bird pests of horticulture

This project is building on the outcomes of previous NHT-supported work by establishing a National approach to the management of bird pest problems in horticulture.

Additional information: Bird Damage Survey

Assessing the risks of wild deer in Australia: a review of impacts, survey and control methods

There are several deer species established in Australia and their density and range is increasing. They are inevitably causing environmental and agricultural damage including the risk of spreading livestock diseases. This project will assess techniques for monitoring and controlling deer and recommend those that are appropriate in Australia.

A feasibility study of an avicide for the control of starlings in Australia

Starlings are becoming an increasing problem for Australia’s horticulture, wine and feedlot industries. There is also a need to prevent them from spreading into new areas such as WA. Effective control of starlings and damage prevention is hampered by the lack of low-cost control techniques. This project will assess the suitability of ‘starlicide’, widely used for starling control in the USA, for Australian situations.

Queensland

Best practice plague rodent management training workshop

This project promoted the adoption of best practice rodent management - as advocated in the NFACP rodent management guidelines – through a series of workshops.

Monitoring systems for feral pigs

Project assessed impact of feral pigs in sugarcane/banana-growing areas of north Queensland. This information allowed derivation of density:damage relationships which can be used to develop performance indicators for north Queensland and other feral pig management programs. This information is essential to allow landholders and government agencies to determine the most cost-effective level of feral pig control – i.e. the point where control costs and subsequent damage mitigation are optimised.

Project report: Monitoring systems for feral pigs

Evaluation and development of best practice wild dog management

Project assessed the effectiveness of the dog fence and consider alternative wild dog control techniques including mechanical M-44 bait ejectors and livestock protection collars. The national cost of wild dog control is second only to rabbit control – largely because of the cost of maintaining the dog fence. Its cost-effectiveness and future options need to be considered by landholders and government.

Additional Information: 'Beefy and the Beast' Newsletter

Integrated feral predator control in south-west Queensland

Project involved large-scale aerial baiting for maximum sustained impact on feral pig, wild dog and fox populations.

Project report: Group baiting for feral pig control

Refining target specificity of M44 ejectors - attractants and presentation methodss

Project tested a range of attractants to increase the take of baits from M44 ejectors and compared the effectiveness and target specificity of differently presented M44s.

Project report: Refining target specificity of mechanical ejectors-attractants and presentation methods

Best practice baiting: evaluation of large-scale, community-based 1080 baiting campaigns

This project is looking at ways to improve the effectiveness of broadscale baiting in rangeland areas of Australia to protect sheep and cattle production. In many areas, the timing, frequency, intensity and scale of baiting is based on tradition rather than any quantitative assessment of optimal strategy. Recent studies have shown that poor baiting practices can actually increase predation on cattle. Project will also test innovative wild dog control strategies including Livestock Protection Collars.

Additional Information: 'Beefy and the Beast' Newsletter

Best practice feral pig management in the Burdekin River Catchment

This project demonstrated the effectiveness of three feral pig management strategies on beef grazing properties in a dry tropical savannah environment.

Project report: Best practice feral pig management in the Burdekin River Catchment

Target-specific bait/delivery systems for alternative feral pig control toxins

This project assessed pig-specific delivery systems (based on bait medium and attractants) and investigated warfarin tablets and cyanide as alternative toxins to 1080.

Project report: Evaluation of attractants and toxins for improved target specificity in the control of feral pigs

Improving feral pig baiting strategies

There has been little evaluation of feral pig baiting strategies in northern Queensland despite the fact that this area poses a significant risk of being an introduction point for an emergency animal disease outbreak. This project assessed the optimum feral pig baiting strategy to reduce feral pig impacts.

Refinement of a 1080 bait degradation model

1080 baiting is a vital component of pest animal control in Australia. This project will investigate the effects of temperature, rainfall, soil conditions and bait age on rates of 1080 loss in meat baits. Results will have implications for improved baiting strategies.

Predicting natural boundaries for feral pig populations to establish improved management units

This project will use genetic sampling techniques to determine boundaries across which there is little feral pig migration which may therefore represent useful management units.

Effective 1080 baiting for feral pigs

This project aims to improve the effectiveness of feral pig control in Australia by determining appropriate 1080 content in baits and the best baiting strategies for maximum population control.

Preparation of cyanide ejector registration package

Wild dog control is a priority issue for graziers in many areas. This project will facilitate registration of a technique to remove problem wild dogs in a target-specific and humane way using sentinel devices which eject a measured dose of cyanide into a wild dog’s mouth once triggered.

Monitoring impact of 1080 canid baiting on spotted-tail quolls

1080 baiting is a key component of wild dog control to protect agricultural and environmental values. Whilst reducing wild dog populations may benefit some native species, there are also concerns that 1080 baits may be taken by carnivorous native animals such as spotted-tail quolls, and in some cases, kill them. This project will determine how real this risk is.

New South Wales

Radio telemetry-determined correction factors for aerial survey of feral goats

Project used radio-telemetry to determine correction factors for aerial survey of feral goats in different habitats.

Project report: Methods for determining feral goat abundance in rugged terrain

Integrated management of wild dogs/dingoes in south-eastern NSW and ACT

Project developed a coordinated adaptive management plan for wild dogs and dingoes over a large area based on objective data.

Additional information: Working plan for managing wild dogs

Demonstration of best practice techniques for mouse control in irrigated summer crops in southern NSW

High mouse numbers occur more frequently in irrigated grain-growing areas due to the constant availability of food. This project assessed a range of techniques that may reduce the incidence of high mouse numbers and subsequent damage in these areas.

Project reports: Demonstration of best practice for mouse control in irrigated summer crops in Southern NSW | Mice in the MIA

Bird damage to the wine grape industry in the Central Ranges of NSW

Project reviewed pest bird ecology and management techniques with particular emphasis on starling damage to wine grapes and provide an impetus for further development of management strategies. This project is timely given the current rapid growth in viticulture and other forms of horticulture throughout Australia resulting in increasing conflict with introduced and native birds.

Project report: Bird damage to the wine grape industry

Effective implementation of regional fox control programs

This project is reviewing fox baiting strategies in Australia in light of recent evidence that baiting practices throughout Australia are highly variable and sub-optimal in many cases. The project will determine the appropriate levels of fox control which achieve desired production benefits and will promote ways to refine fox management on agricultural lands.

Pressure fumigation of rabbit warrens using carbon monoxide

Warren fumigation is an important rabbit control tool, particularly in areas where warren ripping is not feasible. The current pressure fumigant, chloropicrin (“tear gas”) is not considered humane or safe. This project will investigate the use of carbon monoxide for fumigation which is more humane and safer for operators.

Development and refinement of feral pig control strategies

Improved management of feral pigs in Australia has become a high-profile issue for agricultural industries and environmental management in recent years. This project will look at monitoring and control options to maximise feral pig damage reduction with a given level of resources.

Victoria

Funding of state extension coordinator

An extension coordinator reviewed the effectiveness of regional pest animal management programs in Victoria. The position promoted more strategic approaches to management through: facilitating regional workshops; drafting State and regional management plans; and reviewing existing extension materials and training.

Development of a rapid field test for measuring the serological status of wild rabbits to RCD

Development of a rapid field test for measuring the serological status of wild rabbits to RCD to allow more effective management of RCD.

Efficacy and cost-benefit of replacement baiting, trapping and the M-44 ejector for wild dog control in eastern Victoria

Project conducted a comparative assessment of the effectiveness of replacement baiting and mechanical M-44 bait ejectors for the control of wild dogs.

Assessment of the effectiveness of habitat manipulation as a fox control strategy

Project determined the effectiveness of habitat manipulation in reducing the density of foxes with incidental reductions in weeds and other pest animals.

Project report: An assessment of habitat manipulation as a fox control strategy

Improving the humaneness of leg-hold traps for wild dog control

Continued availability of trapping is essential for many livestock producers. However, the humaneness of trapping has been the subject of considerable debate which threatens continued access to this control technique. This project assessed the potential of a 'tranquiliser trap device' to improve the humaneness of wild dog trapping.

Development of a carbon monoxide fumigation technique for the control of the European rabbit

A recent National workshop assessing the scope to improve animal welfare aspects of pest animal control identified chloropicrin fumigation of rabbit warrens to be an unacceptable control technique. This project aims to develop a humane alternative fumigant which will have an important role in integrated rabbit control programs.

Tasmania

Property-based wildlife management plans

Property-based wildlife management plans are formal agreements between landholders and commercial and non-commercial wildlife (native and introduced species) harvesters and hunters which may facilitate more cost-effective, regionally-based pest management. This project produced a wildlife management plan manual to help government agencies work with hunters more effectively.

South Australia

Adaptive fox and rabbit management in agricultural areas

This project assessed the effect of different fox baiting strategies on lamb marking percentages.

Project report: Adaptive fox and rabbit management in agricultural areas

Maximising the efficacy of RCD as a component of integrated rabbit management

This project assessed interactions between conventional rabbit control techniques, RCD and benign calicivirus to maximise sustained reduction in rabbit numbers. The network for direct transfer of results to participating landholders is already well established through the NHT-supported Rangelands Action Program in South Australia and the Rabbit Buster program in Victoria.

Bird control and damage: understanding the relationship

The value of Australia's wine industry is around $5 billion. Birds, particularly starlings, have a major impact on wine grape production and are a constant source of frustration for growers due to a lack of effective and economic control techniques. This project determined patterns in starling movements and activity and considered ways in which habitat can be manipulated to reduce starling impact.

Project product: Bird management plan outline

Field release of rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus on bait material

This project is investigating the potential of bait delivery of RHD to influence the timing and effectiveness of RHD outbreaks and further enhance its effectiveness.

Western Australia

Crop and pasture protection from rabbits in native bush remnants

This project documented and promoted the cost-effectiveness of fencing off remnant vegetation to prevent agricultural losses from rabbits. This approach is also likely to provide considerable conservation benefits by: (a) eliminating the need for ongoing use of invasive control techniques such as baiting and ripping in native vegetation areas; and (b) allowing the possibility of eradicating rabbits within the fenced areas, thus eliminating their impact on native vegetation regeneration./p>

Project report: Crops and pasture protection from rabbits in native bush remnants

Aerial survey techniques for feral goats

Project determined the accuracy of aerial counting of feral goats, taking into account seasonal distribution, vegetation and goat colour. An accurate census method will allow property management to be regulated based on total grazing pressure rather than just livestock numbers.

Project report: Assessment of correction factors used for estimating goat populations in the WA rangelands

Efficacy of bait stations for broadacre control of rabbits

Bait stations offer potential for low cost "mop-up" rabbit control following RCD/myxomatosis outbreaks or implementation of other control techniques. Bait stations also allow the treatment of small 'hot spots' of rabbits in paddocks where stock cannot be moved due to water shortages in summer/drought. Another potential advantage of bait stations is an expected reduction in non-target impacts. This project assessed the effectiveness of this technique.

Project report: Efficacy of bait stations for broadacre control of rabbits

Assessing the effect of a reduction in baiting rates for wild dogs

Aerial baiting is highly effective for reducing the impact of wild dogs on livestock over extensive pastoral areas. However, recent evidence suggests that the number of baits distributed into the environment may be excessive and beyond that required to manage the wild dog problem. This increases costs (and therefore reduces landholder profitability) and may lead to questions about the probity and environmental safety of such programs. This project conducted a preliminary assessment of this issue.

Further development of feral pig baits and control strategies

This project is testing a range of bait mediums in cropping and rangeland situations in Western Australia. Project will involve collaboration with interstate counterparts to improve the effectiveness of baiting strategies.

Northern Territory

Longevity of 1080 meat baits in arid Australia

Project assessed the longevity and take of 1080 meat baits for wild dog control with implications for the timing, frequency and effectiveness of baiting and non-target risks.

The impact of wild dog control on cattle, native and introduced herbivores and introduced predators

Project investigated the effect of wild dog control on livestock, kangaroos, rabbits, feral cats and foxes. The cost:benefit of wild dog control to reduce impact on cattle was also examined.

Project report: The impact of wild dog on cattle, native and introduced herbivores and introduced predators in central Australia

Assessing the impact of feral horses and donkeys on land condition, pastoral production and cultural values in north-west Australia

Feral horses and donkeys are a threat to the grazing industry and environment, but remain at unacceptably high population levels in many areas. This project will combine information from aerial surveys, remote sensing data and landholder interviews to provide an accurate picture of the situation to landholders and encourage more concerted coordinated action to manage the problem.

Developing a coordinated and strategic program to manage the impacts of feral camels

Feral camels are distributed throughout Australia’s rangelands and are doubling in number every 8 years in some areas. They feed on over 80% of available plant species and pose a major threat to the grazing industry and natural environment into the future. This project will bring together government agencies and key landholders to develop an action plan to reduce the spread and population increase of camels.

Last reviewed:
17 Nov 2011
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