AS wild dogs continue to wreak havoc among cattle and sheep properties across Australia, the tables may be turning against another feral pest with an appetite for macadamia nuts.
Inter organisational and community cooperation has seen some headway made against the black tide of feral pigs which has caused destruction and distress among macadamia growers and horticulturalists throughout the Gympie, Mary Valley and Bauple areas over the past three years.
Feral pigs affect macadamia production by damaging orchard floors, drainage channels and farm infrastructure.
This is on top of actual nut consumption which has been recorded at up to 6kg per hour, in shell. Ginger growers in the area have also suffered serious losses.
At the heart of the success was the implementation of pig trapping techniques used in America.
Suncoast Gold Macadamia’s early research gathered information on the advanced remote monitoring and “hog” trapping equipment.
The information was passed on to Yarramine Environmental, a company specialising in development of new methodologies in the environmental field.
Jager Pro trap components are now manufactured under licence by Yarramine Environmental and the electronics imported.
The two are combined and sold in kit form for feral pig control.
The trap includes a tripod device which delivers bait, surrounded by a series of fence panels and remote controlled gates.
Video surveillance is done during conditioning where the pigs get to know the trap as a daily food source.
QPWS supported trials of the trapping system and were rewarded with the capture of 21 pigs in a single action, with 26 for the program.
Australian Macadamia Society director Brice Kaddatz, grower services, Suncoast Gold Macadamias, Gympie said the technology was a game changer.
“The amazing thing was that the trap, situated at Goomboorian near Gympie, was monitored and triggered via a lap top computer, from Toowoomba,” he said.
“This represents a major win, as the midnight raids by feral pigs cost farmers not only in production losses, but also in lost sleep and jangled nerves, often with no result.”
The combined efforts of local farmers, trappers and hunters working together saw the humane disposal of at least 700 feral pigs during 2013.
“Given that a moderate sized feral pig can consume up to 6kg of macadamia nuts per hour, this represents a huge potential saving,” Mr Kaddatz said.
Trappers have reportedly taken big numbers again this year, although dry conditions have forced many pigs into survival mode.
The problem was initially brought into focus with the help of member for Gympie, David Gibson and cooperation between local stakeholders.
The combined efforts have made a significant impact on the feral pig population, with the promise of an ongoing control effort into the future.
Suncoast Gold Macadamias first partnered with the Gympie Regional Council and adjoining councils to coordinate a farmers field day at Cooroy in December 2012.
Managers from Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) representatives contributed to the field day.
Mr Gibson also brought the problem to the attention of Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tim McVeigh and Minister for National Parks Steve Dickson.
The Australian Macadamia Society (AMS) became involved by sponsoring two farmer meetings which were coordinated by local QPWS managers.
From these meetings, two farmer groups were formed, one at Wolvi and the other covering the Sandy Creek – Goomboorian areas.
Burnett Mary Regional Group (BMRG) representatives attended these meetings and ultimately triggered a positive response to a request for funding support.
The funding has been managed by the AMS, specifically for work in the Burnett – Mary Regional area.
Further research is looking into an American-developed audio system designed to repel feral pigs.
“Local trials of this equipment have proven positive and this approach will also have application where trapping or exclusion fencing is not practical,” Mr Kaddatz said.
He said apart from the reduction of pig numbers, the real highlight to the program has been the industry, government and community cooperation.
“The involvement of this very broad section of stakeholders has delivered tangible benefits and a reduction of primary production losses known to have been in excess of $1 million across industry in the district,” he said.
The focus is now on keeping the pressure on the pig population and prevent the explosion in numbers which occurred during 2012 / 13 due to a prolonged wet season.
