“The more landholders that take part in control programs, the more successful we all will be in reducing pest animal numbers and their impacts to agriculture and ecosystems,” said Luke Booth, Team Leader Invasive Species.

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“The pest problem won’t go away unless more landholders become involved in controlling them.

“That’s the only way to protect your livestock, crops, pastures, waterways and wetlands.

“Our programs enable us to work closely with landholders to expand these efforts and get more people involved in managing pest populations.”

Luke said while there are many methods available for the control of pest animals, a single method of control used in isolation will not get the results many landholders are after.

“Speak to any primary producer across the region and chances are they’ll be able to tell you how destructive and damaging feral pigs and deer and other pest animals are to their enterprise, as well as the local environment.

“Targeted and strategic aerial shooting in designated hot spots provides a great opportunity to significantly reduce feral pig and deer populations.”

Hunter Local Land Services have recently implemented an aerial control program in the Merriwa and Cassilis areas.

The aerial control operation builds on significant work done through last year’s Feral Pig Program funding and also the ongoing annual aerial and ground programs that have been undertaken since the fire recovery program 2020.

The recent aerial control program in Merriwa and Cassilis was prioritised due to the high pig densities in these areas, which are impacting valuable agricultural assets.

“The Upper Hunter is an area which has strong involvement by landholders in feral pig control activities and the aerial program expected to achieve significant cumulative impact from this and previous control efforts and this area of aerial operations complements other ground-based control programs in this and adjoining areas,” Luke said.

In this aerial program 54 holdings were involved, covering 59,749 hectares, with 67 hours flying time.

The results of the program included the removal of 3,105 pigs, 231 deer (fallow and red), 39 foxes and six cats.

“Our biosecurity team can offer tailored advice suited to your property and can help in coordinating group programs with your neighbours.”

Local Land Services is currently delivering the 2024-25 $13.1 million Feral Pig and Pest Program on behalf of the NSW Government.

Support available to landholders includes:

● help to coordinate control programs with you and your neighbours

● free skill building events to equip you with the latest tools and advice to manage pest animals

● free Vertebrate Pesticide Induction Training (VPIT) courses

● supply of free feed grain to eligible landholders at no cost

● free hire of monitoring and trapping equipment (subject to availability).