Bowen and Mount Coolon workshops to help landholders tackle feral pests

Monday, 6 Feb 2017

Bowen and Mount Coolon agricultural producers will learn about the latest tools and techniques to tackle feral pests on their land at upcoming workshops being run in the region by AgForce Projects.

AgForce Projects Vertebrate Pest Officer Damien Ferguson encouraged producers to attend the no cost workshops to be trained in chemical handling safety and the use of new baits and tools such as Canid Pest Ejectors (M44 ejectors) with 1080 capsules.

"Feral animals cost the Queensland agriculture industry hundreds of millions of dollars each and every year so producers need to know how they can efficiently and successfully control these risks to their business," he said.

"In the Bowen and Mount Coolon regions, pests such as wild dogs and feral pigs are a major problem for cattle, cane and horticulture producers.

"This new service will help landholders get ahead of the game and access the most up-to-date tools to manage pest animals."

Mr Ferguson said eligible producers would qualify for a chemical accreditation card for nationally recognised units of training as well as a certificate of participation for the pest animal management training.

"We are rolling out 50 workshops across Queensland in 2016/17 to increase the capability of landholders to correctly and safely use toxins for pest management," he said.

"These new tools can now be applied for in Queensland upon successful completion of this training."

The workshops are tailored for producers in a range of sectors including beef, sheep, grain, cane, cotton, horticulture, poultry and pigs, with one being held in Bowen on 28 February and in Mount Coolon on 1 March.

For further information and to register for the workshops, visit www.agforceprojects.org.au or call (07) 3238 6048.

These workshops are delivered by AgForce Projects with support from the Queensland Farmers Federation and the Queensland Government, funded by the Australian Government's Agriculture White Paper.

Media Contacts: Scott Whitby 0418 733 102, Sarah Henderson 0427 626 853