Rabbit season is coming
As the weather warms and rabbit populations reach peak numbers, the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board is encouraging landholders to look at control options for managing rabbits on their properties.
Feral rabbits are a serious invasive pest that cost Australian agriculture up to $200 million in production losses each year. While rabbits can breed all year round, populations boom in late spring and early summer.
Riverland District Team Leader Hannah Spronk said now is the time for landholders to check for signs of rabbit activity and plan control.
“Our district staff are here to help landholders with advice for rabbit season – so they can protect their land, crops and the local environment.” Hannah added.
In addition to this, the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board can provide support with bait layer hire, baits, biocontrol and fumigation devices.
Landholders are being encouraged to work with their neighbours on rabbit control. Murraylands District Team Leader Casey Henderson said when landholders undertake baiting at the same time, it has a far greater impact on the rabbit numbers at a broader scale.
“To encourage landholders to work together, we can provide a discount on the cost of bait when groups order and collect at the same time.” Casey added.
Primary producers can also access free bait to take control of rabbit populations through funding from PIRSA’s Drought total grazing pressure project.
Under the Landscape South Australia Act 2019, landholders are responsible for controlling rabbits on their properties. For advice, contact your local district officer at the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board.
Murray Bridge office (08) 8532 9100
Berri office (08) 8580 1800
This project is supported by the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board through funding from the landscape levies
