GIRU GROWERS MOBILISE TO CONTROL FERAL PIGS
Queensland ’ s estimated three to six million feral pigs cost the agricultural industry around $ 80 million per year .
The majority are found in the State ’ s north , and impact cane farmers through crop damage , weed spread , soil erosion , and damage to infrastructure such as irrigation , fencing and dams .
This year NQ Dry Tropics supported more than 30 Giru landholders to coordinate feral pig control , resulting in cost savings and more effective pig management across a wider area .
Pigs also spread disease , prey on sea turtle eggs and damage wetlands by increasing water turbidity and destroying native riparian vegetation .
Rather than tackle the problem on their own , more and more landholders are pooling resources with neighbouring properties to form “ cluster groups ” that strategically tackle pigs at a catchment scale .
Feral pigs cause millions of dollars of damage in Queensland every year .
Thirty local landholders attended a shed meet to learn about feral pig control activities in Giru .
The Restoration Of The Ramsar Wetlands Of Bowling Green Bay project is funded by the Australian Government ’ s Environment Restoration Fund .
2021-2022 – NQ DRY TROPICS YEAR IN REVIEW PAGE 25