THE region's farmers are being urged to work together to help combat the spread of foxes and wild dogs.
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Areas such as Wallabadah and Nundle are some of the worst impacted by wild dogs, while the Northern Tablelands is often hit hard by the impact of foxes.
North West Local Land Services (NWLLS) team leader Bec Gray said invasive species could have devastating impacts for farmers.
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"Livestock prices are quite good at the moment and we want to try and help farmers make the most of that," Ms Gray said.
"The impacts can be massive because they can kill a number of sheep or calves over many nights.
"The may only take one or two at a time, but that is going to add up over months and years if nothing is done about it."
To help combat the threat of wild dogs and foxes, NWLLS is hosting several information sessions across the region, as well as offering free meat baits to locals to begin their own baiting programs.
"We do have several long-running baiting groups across the region, but there is always the need for more because baiting is everyone's job," Ms Gray said.
"Autumn and spring are the ideal times to begin baiting as it is when the animals are at their most vulnerable and the baiting can have the greatest impact on the animal population.
"So far this year, we have run about 25 group baiting events and more than 230 farmers have come along, which is really pleasing.
"However, we are always eager to do more and given the success we had at a recent event in Walgett, we are confident we can get the message out there."
Ms Gray said it was vital farmers across the region got on board with baiting programs.
"It's often a misconception that these animals only attack lambs, but it is cattle as well," she said.
"Basically, we have four key principals for this program: broad-scale in that we want to get as many landholders on board as possible and co-ordination to ensure people are baiting at the right time to ensure the greatest knock-down rate.
"The others are co-operation in that it is not just stock producers we want to see get involved, but landholders of all kinds and integrated which means that baiting is followed up with shooting and trapping."
For more information or to access free meat baits contact your local LLS office your Local Land Services office and ask for the Biosecurity Team.
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
