Caption: Fox populations in the New England Tablelands can be as high as seven foxes per square km.
FARMERS in Southern New England hit by stock losses, due to the spread of a deadly parasite by feral fox populations, are encouraged to join fox control efforts.
European Red Fox (Vulpus vulpus) is found throughout the majority of Australia and has significant impact on agricultural and environmental resources.
Fox populations in the New England Tablelands can be as high as seven foxes per square kilometres.
Although sheep producers experience the most visual losses through lamb predation, all farmers are potentially affected.
Foxes can spread a protozoan parasite called Neospora caninum. This parasite causes abortion in cattle. Neospora causes no clinical signs in adult cattle that are infected but the parasite can be passed from an infected cow across the placenta to an unborn calf, resulting in abortion. Once a cow is infected with Neospora caninum she will remain a carrier of the parasite which can infect all her subsequent calves.
Southern New England Coordinated Fox Control Program Project Officer Bec Ballard said producers in the region were reporting losses due to Neospora caninum.
“One eastern fall property estimates they are losing 6-10 per cent of calves in utero annually. This equates to a financial loss of $125,000 per year for this enterprise alone,” Ms Ballard said.
Foxes can also spread a number of other diseases and parasites that impact livestock, wildlife, pets and humans. Add to this the direct predation of our native wildlife and livestock, the spreading of agricultural and environmental weeds and the biosecurity risk if rabies ever enters Australia and Fantastic Mr Fox is not so fantastic.
Experts say that for the fox population to remain at a static level, 70 per cent of the population needs to be removed each year. This will only be achieved through broadscale, coordinated and cooperative control as foxes can reinvade an area within weeks, therefore all land managers need to be involved.
The Southern New England Coordinated Fox Control program is currently under way.
Around 31 community control groups will undertake broadscale, coordinated 1080 baiting from early June to early August throughout the southern New England region.
Authorities view 1080 baiting as the most effective control option and should be used for an initial population knockdown.
However, if producers do not wish to use 1080 poison there are other options. Shooting and cage traps are additional control options that can be integrated into a broader program.
Cage traps are available for loan from the New England Livestock Health and Pest Authority. Interested producers can contact the NELHPA for more information on (02) 6772 2366. To locate a co-ordinated control group in your area download the group 1080 fox baiting schedule at www.snelandcare.org.au
All land managers are encouraged to become involved with the program, if not because of the direct benefit to themselves than for the broader benefit to neighbours and the wider community.
As an added incentive, all landholders who participate in co-ordinated group baiting will enter a draw to win a half-hour joy flight for two people with Fleet Helicopters.
Hunting Haven has donated a Vortex Crossfire 3-9 x 40 Rifle Scope as the prize for the Fox Foot Raffle. Anyone who brings the front right paw of a fox into the New England Livestock Health and Pest Authority, Armidale office will be entered into a draw for the rifle scope.
In addition to the Fox Foot Raffle, a fox shooting form to record details of any foxes shot over the winter period can be collected from the New England LHPA, GrazAg Armidale or Hunting Haven. Return the form to the New England LHPA, Taylor Street, Armidale for your chance to win a $150 open order from GrazAg Armidale.
All competitions close 31 August 2013. All participating businesses are thanked for their contributions.
For more information, please contact Bec Ballard or Sally Taylor at Southern New England Landcare on 02 6772 9123 or sally@snelcc.org.au
