A picture is worth a thousand words, and two—in this case—speaks volumes about the positive impacts of the NSW Government’s Feral Pig and Pest Program.
Before-and-after photos of a farm dam in Yetman, in the Northern Tablelands, show a vast improvement in vegetation growth and a reduction in feral pig damage and tracks.
It’s the result of a strong, ongoing relationship between Local Land Services and landholders in the region.
Over the past 12 months, 1,243 feral pigs have been controlled across two properties occupying 1,900ha through a combination of aerial shooting, trapping and baiting programs.
Primary producers Jack Pearlman and Rowan Wood joined forces with Local Land Services to undertake a sustained campaign from February to September, which included 98 trapping days.
Mr Pearlman said he never would have guessed that he had as many feral pigs on his property until he consistently trapped every day and kept getting pigs.
“It’s labour-intensive work but to learn different control methods and tools from Local Land Services and having their support to continually get on top of pig numbers over a longer period, showed me the impact you can achieve through longer control programs,” Mr Pearlman said.
“What’s scary is that they’re still around, and if we didn’t do these control programs or receive the support from Local Land Services, we wouldn’t have known how large the problem was until it was too late.”
A further 2,431 pigs were culled during a large-scale aerial program in March, which targeted 78,711ha in the Yetman and Wallangra areas across 41 private properties.
The area is diverse, from steep gorge country to open crop fields, and has seen an increase in feral pig activity in recent years due to favourable conditions.
Landholders had previously reported tracks, digging, wallows, and fence damage, as well as impacts to crops, hay, and stored grain caused by feral pigs.
Mr Wood said he had noticed fewer pigs and less signs of damage this harvest than he’d typically see.
“The damage they can do to your crops is massive when they merge in; they can do it in a week. Turn your back on them for six months and that’s all it takes for the numbers to get out of control,” Mr Wood said.
“Coordinated control programs like these are the only way to take them out effectively. Pigs are pretty smart – if there was another property between us that hadn’t signed up, they’d move there if they’re only getting hammered from one side.
“It’s good to see farmers being proactive with Local Land Services’ support. It’s been a big help.”
By participating in coordinated control programs and taking advantage of free bait through Local Land Services’ Feral Fighters program, landholders and Local Land Services have worked together to reduce the number of feral pigs in the area and limit their impacts.
Northern Tablelands Local Land Services Team Leader Pest Animals, Mark Tarrant, said using a combination of control methods was proven to have greater success in controlling feral pigs, particularly in areas with high-density populations where a sustained effort is needed to keep numbers low.
“The results speak for themselves in the Northern Tablelands, where landholders have actively participated in an intensive control program with Local Land Services’ support over the past 12 months,” Mr Tarrant said.
“Landholders have reported fewer feral pigs in the target area and regrowth of vegetation, while pig pads – often seen where pigs frequent food and water sources – are being used less.
“Throughout the program, we’ve also focused our efforts on capacity building, equipping landholders with the tools and support to meet their general biosecurity duty to manage pest animals on their properties.”
The NSW Government has invested $13.1 million in the Feral Pig and Pest Program 2024-25. This builds on the $13 million previously delivered in 2023-24 under the Feral Pig Program.
Landholders can contact Local Land Services on 1300 795 299 or visit their nearest office for more information and tailored support to manage feral pigs.
Photos supplied by Local Lands Services.
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