North West Queensland producers were introduced to a new method of baiting on May 23, when AgForce held a Chemical Training and Pest Management forum at the Cloncurry Community Precinct.
Attendees undertook training and an assessment in order to receive a Statement of Attainment for preparation and application of chemicals; and transport and store chemicals.
Afterwards, AgForce contractor with FeralFix, Dr James Mitchell, discussed how to control wild pigs, foxes and dogs through the use of new baits like PAPP and a new tool called the Canid Pest Ejector.
“Feral animals cost Queensland agriculture hundreds of millions of dollars every year. These workshops aim to increase the capability of landholders to correctly and safely use toxins for pest animal management as part of an integrated pest management program.,” Dr Mitchell said.
“The Canid Pest Ejector is a new product that has only been registered for use in the last couple of weeks.
“It is a spring loaded device that you hammer into the ground and put a bait or lure in the top and when the dog tries to take the meat off the top, it ejects 10-80 powder straight into its mouth.”
The bait is sealed in the ejector and can stay out in the paddock for a longer duration of time. This tool can be used in conjunction with other baiting methods.
Dr Mitchell said this product was used all over Australia but mainly for testing.
“They did test it at Bulloo Downs and got 35 dogs in 10 days but the 1080 capsule has only just been legal in the last few weeks.
“The Canid Pest Ejectors are greater target specificity than conventional meat baits as deployment of 1080 is conditional on the upwards pulling force easily achieved only by canids.
“The ejectors can be reused repeatedly as the device is staked into the ground by a sturdy metal peg and cannot be easily moved by animals.”
1080 capsules are available in 3mg and 6mg for foxes and wild dogs respectively and treated as equivalent dosage strength for 1080 commercial bait products