The NR Times Rural News
July 14, 2022
34 RURAL NEWS
Wet, cold conditions ideal for feral pig control North Coast Local Land Services is encouraging landholders to report feral pig sightings and to act now so they can keep feral pig populations under control. The recent wet weather has meant that feral pigs have moved from some of the lowland swamp areas, often associated with large areas of native bush, to higher more open country - increasing reports of feral pigs. In combination with the current cold conditions this provides an ideal time for landholders to manage feral pig populations. David Brill, Senior Biosecurity Officer, said, “It is now much easier
to get hungry feral pigs onto feed when baiting with Hoggone or using cage traps. “Hoggone is a relatively new bait that uses sodium nitrite as a fast acting and humane toxin. It has two main benefits - it is highly effective against feral pigs at low doses, and it is fed from a purpose-built bait box that only allows access by feral pigs. This almost completely eliminates the risk to non-target domestic and native animals.” Large scale control programs that include multiple properties are more effective in controlling pig
numbers as feral pigs can have large home ranges. Landholders are encouraged to either work with existing feral pig control groups or to form a control group in their area. To determine if feral pigs are present on your property, look for: • visible sightings • evidence of ‘rooting’ when feral pigs dig for underground food such as roots and bulbs • crop and fence damage • compacted trails or pads created when feral pigs repeatedly use the same trail to access food and water • tracks and faeces • ‘wallows’ or large
oval depressions in mud that pigs lie in • mud rubs and tusk marks on vegetation and infrastructure • large nests made of grass, sticks and debris Mr Brill continued, “Feral pigs create significant soil disturbance, causing erosion, damaging your soil structure, waterways and dams and their handiwork also greatly assists the spread of weeds. Local Land Services | Media release 2 “Feral pigs can also prey on livestock, ground dwelling native animals and damage your farm infrastructure. One of the most significant dangers
with feral pigs is the disease and parasites they can carry which affect both livestock and humans. “They are a major potential host to a number of exotic diseases such as footand-mouth and Japanese encephalitis. They pose a risk to humans with diseases such as brucellosis. For these reasons, we strongly suggest you monitor for feral pig activity and better understand feral pig issues in your area”, said Mr Brill. Landholders who believe they may have a feral pig problem should contact the Biosecurity team at North Coast
Local Land Services for advice on trapping and baiting. North Coast Local Land Services also lends traps and cameras for monitoring and can provide links to available pest animal control funding opportunities. Vertebrate Pesticide Induction Training is available online to help farmers remain compliant with legislation when baiting on their properties. If you are concerned about feral pigs on your property, contact the North Coast Local Land Services Biosecurity Team on 1300 795 299 for information and advice.
Consider risk when introducing cattle to your herd North Coast Local Land Services District Vets are reminding cattle producers of the risks associated with introducing cattle from outside the area following recent cases of bovine anaemia caused by the Theileria oreintalis group. Theileria are protozoal parasites that can be carried by ticks. The disease is endemic to the North Coast. The bush tick, which is widespread in the north coast LLS region, is thought to be the primary
vector responsible for spreading the parasite. District Veterinarian Jocelyn Todd says, ‘When ticks feed on cattle, the parasite enters the red blood cells, and these cells are destroyed. If large numbers of red cells are destroyed, the ability of blood to carry oxygen is reduced and the animal may become ill.’ Clinical signs of Theileria include weakness and lethargy (lack of willingness to walk),
difficulty breathing (gasping if forced to run), reduced milk production, Jaundice (yellowing/pale gums) and abortion or stillbirths in pregnant cows. ‘As these signs are often symptomatic of many other conditions, it is important to confirm diagnosis via a blood sample taken by a veterinarian’ said, Jocelyn. Local cattle generally develop immunity to the parasite early in life, although clinical cases may be seen in a small
number of young calves around 2-3 months of age. We also see cases in adult cattle introduced into the region from areas where the parasite is not present, such as inland or southern districts. In the case of introduced cattle disease is mostly seen about 6 - 12 weeks after introduction. Heavily pregnant cows and heifers are often most severely affected, and the introduction of these classes of cattle should be avoided.
“Unlike local animals, any cattle introduced to the coast from inland or southern areas are at risk of being naïve to this disease which can lead to illness or death and potentially render bulls temporarily infertile,” said, Jocelyn. Current treatment options for cattle that are affected with theileria are limited and responses to treatment are often poor, especially in severely affected animals. Avoid stressing animals that you suspect of being
infected with theileriosis to prevent compromising the movement of oxygen in their body any further. This includes avoiding too much movement and ensure they have adequate water and good feed available to them. North Coast Local Land Services recently produced a video about Theileria and how to minimise its impact on your herd. For more, contact your local district veterinarian or private veterinarian.
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