News & Updates

Local landowners need to jump onto rabbit control this summer, says Peel Harvey Biosecurity Group (PHBG). In an effort to help locals battle Australia’s most costly pest, PHBG will host information sessions across the Peel-Harvey region in December. The sessions will provide landowners with practical guidance on effective rabbit control methods. PHBG Executive Officer Teele Hooper-Worrell said it’s essential that property owners understand how to control rabbits effectively, regardless of whether the property is a few acres or a productive farm. “Rabbits cause over $270 million in damage to agriculture every year, but that figure doesn’t capture the damage to our native ecosystems or the day-to-day impact on landholders,” said Teele. “Rabbits impact on landholders in a range of ways–they graze on crops, prevent native plants from regenerating, their warrens can make a paddock unusable or even undermine buildings. Just one or two rabbits can lead to long-lasting effects and should initi...

As the weather heats up, Peel Harvey Biosecurity Group (PHBG) is urging local landholders to take action against feral pigs. The group is hosting a workshop on this invasive pest to help locals better utilise trapping to control their numbers.  “Pigs have nearly the same reproductive capability as rabbits,” said PHBG Executive Officer Teele Hooper-Worrell. “It’s incredibly important that landholders facing a pig problem maintain their control efforts, especially now, as early summer is a critical time for managing their populations. Trapping is far more effective in reducing impact than ad hoc shooting and can be used to complement current feral pig control activities.” Pigs are true omnivores and feral animals and will even prey on livestock, particularly newborn lambs. They also eat crops and pasture and can damage large areas of productive crops very quickly. This voracious feeding not only results in direct losses for farmers but also leads to significant damage to native lands...