Small actions now can make a big impact

While it may appear that numbers have decreased, the many shades of green in the SA Arid Lands have caused animals to disperse rather than disappear. What is being observed is likely a decrease in density, alongside increasing overall numbers.

The additional on-ground feed may result in a bumper breeding season. A lack of control could lead to an increase in juveniles, which will also sustain feral cats, foxes, wild dogs and even feral pigs in the months and years that follow.

Cold weather, along with pregnant and lactating female pests, increases energy requirements. These animals will increase their intake to more than one dry stock equivalent and, without control, will eat through new feed more quickly than expected.

This means that any action taken now to control grazing pest species will have a direct impact on future populations and provide a triple return on management efforts.

Actions to control kangaroos, goats, feral cats, foxes and feral pigs will help ensure that a property can maintain or bank current vegetation gains against future lean times.

With all the recent rain, regeneration, recovery and germination of perennials should be visible.

If not, total grazing pressure is likely still high, and further monitoring or investigation may be needed.

Checking perennial growth allows management decisions to be based on visible vegetation rather than on pest animals that may not be seen.

An integrated management strategy that includes vegetation monitoring, control of water points, shooting, mustering and harvesting is best undertaken in partnership with neighbours to achieve landscape-scale improvements.

More information about using vegetation to determine who is dining in paddocks is available through the Plants Under Pressureresource.

To discuss control options, please contact the board’s biosecurity team on 8429 9666.