Drought support for Eyre Peninsula rabbit control

In partnership with the Department of Primary Industries and Regions(PIRSA), the National Rabbit Coordinator and Rabbit Free Australia, the Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board is offering a range of fully-funded rabbit control options, funded by the South Australian government’s $73 million Drought Support Package.

Control options available to farmers include:

• Free warren ripping – completed by a contractor or by the landholder (with reimbursement available for labour/time).
• Free 1080 oat bait, to be laid in accordance with label directions, either before and/or after warren ripping.
• Free calicivirus (RHDV1 K5) release in areas where rabbit populations remain susceptible.

The program is initially offering support to farmers in the worst drought impacted parts of Eyre Peninsula - see map below with eligible areas highlighted in red. Over the past 12 months, those areas have experienced some of the lowest rainfalls on record.

Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Clare Scriven said that the $73m drought support package includes funding for control of feral pests including rabbits due to having such a huge negative impact on crops.

“Reducing the threat that feral rabbits pose to the early crop will be important for the season going forward,” she said.

To get involved, Eyre Peninsula farmers should get in touch with their nearest landscape board office and register their interest.

Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board Eastern Operations Team Leader, Liam Anderson, particularly encourages cropping farmers to work on rabbit control before crops reach seed germination.

“Rabbits will feed on crops and pastures, with the grazing impact of twelve rabbits being equivalent to one dry sheep,” Mr Anderson says.

“The dry conditions we have been experiencing, mean rabbits are more likely to eat the baits while green feed is sparse.

“If strategic baiting is done ahead of time, this will greatly reduce the threat that rabbits pose to the early crop.

“Fast action and a small investment of time now can save a great deal of time and money in the future.

“Rabbits breed up quickly but baiting can cut feral rabbit numbers by 98 per cent.”

Mr Anderson adds that with the forecast for this growing season looking like it will continue to be drier than usual, protecting crops from rabbits is perhaps more vital than usual.

“The season is looking quite uncertain at the moment so Eyre Peninsula farmers being able to take advantage of this free rabbit control option, is one way to give crops the best chance possible,” Mr Anderson says.

To learn more about the Drought Support Package, visit pir.sa.gov.au/drought-support.