Changes coming for the Biteback program
For the past 15 years, the board’s Biteback program has supported land managers through bi-annual bait injection services, extension and outreach and aerial control.
In that time the SA Wild Dog Management Strategy was developed, along with Best Practice Guidelines that inform wild dog management across South Australia, and beyond.
Historically, this program has been jointly funded by the Sheep Industry Fund (SIF) and the SAAL Landscape Levy and has been delivered in collaboration with Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) and industry partners. This has supported an integrated approach to wild dog management, with baiting, trapping, aerial baiting alongside the dog fence improvements and patrolling.
As the Biteback program enters its second year without industry co-investment, the board’s capacity to subsidise manufactured baits and provide free injection services has been significantly reduced. This has affected the board’s ability to deliver services at previous levels, requiring some co-investment by land managers for baits.
Following a program review, the board resolved that one subsidised bait injection service would be offered in spring 2025. However, the board will need to charge for the annual autumn service which will be offered under a cost-recovery model due to the loss of industry funding.
Small grants and longer-term solutions are being pursued with industry, the Dog Fence Board and PIRSA to lessen the cost now and ongoing financial impact to landholders.
Local bait injection services will not be provided for land managers north of the Dog Fence under the current constraints, however land managers are welcome to access the autumn bait injection service south of the Fence and can continue to order manufactured baits. Standard cost-recovery fees will apply for these services.
Final details of the costs that will apply to the Autumn services will be sent to landholders early in 2026 when the outcome of other funding applications are known. The board is working to retain the services at a low to no-cost for landholders into the future and is working with partners to try and secure additional funding for the longer term.
