Free Pig Bait Hits the Bush: $850k Boost for Western and Riverina Landholders

IN SHORT:

• $850,000 in Free Supplies: Landholders in the Hay, Balranald, Carrathool, and Central Darling LGAs can now access free grain and bait to combat feral pigs via Local Land Services (LLS).
• Widespread Collaboration is Key: Experts stress that successful control requires strategic, community-wide action across property lines, utilizing multiple methods like baiting, trapping, and shooting.
• Farmer Warning: A local producer who has removed hundreds of pigs urges others not to underestimate the problem, noting the biosecurity risks and extent of damage they discovered only after setting up control programs.

Farmers and landholders across the vast Hay, Balranald, Carrathool, and Central Darling local government areas are being urged to tap into a share of $850,000 in free grain and bait as part of a new statewide offensive against feral pigs.

The support, announced by the NSW Government, is being delivered through Local Land Services (LLS), the agency responsible for pest control programs that cover the Western and Riverina regions where these communities reside.

The program has already been embraced by some landholders. Sheep and cattle farmer Colin McCrabb, who operates near Wanganella, described the severity of the issue and the relief the support provides.

“We found pigs causing problems with predation of ewes and lambs, so we were in touch with Local Land Services to see what we could do. We’ve used their knowledge and support to not only set up traps, but permanent baiting stations with real time monitoring.”

“Baiting is a great option for us because it’s passive and to be honest I’ve been really surprised by the number of pigs we’ve had. You don’t think you have any on your property until you set it up and see what is actually going on. We’ve removed hundreds since we started our control program.”

“The support from Local Land Services is fantastic. My message to others who don’t think they have a pig problem is you will be surprised what you discover once you start looking for them. The predation and damage of pigs is horrendous, plus the biosecurity risks are very real, so we are doing anything we can to put a stop to that.”

The initiative is a direct response to the escalating damage caused by feral pigs, which threatens the profitability of local agriculture and the region’s sensitive ecosystems.

The funding is part of the Government’s ongoing Feral Pig and Pest Program, which has seen the state commit over $40 million to control efforts since July 2023.

According to government figures, this commitment has led to the removal of approximately 223,000 feral pigs and the supply of over 475,000 kilograms of bait statewide.

The provision of free bait is significant for local producers, as the cost of grain for baiting and trapping can be a major financial hurdle in an area already dealing with market pressures and environmental challenges.

The announcement included firm statements on the government’s commitment and the scope of the problem.

“Feral pigs are wreaking havoc on our landscapes, threatening biodiversity, damaging crops and undermining biosecurity," Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty said.

“With free grain and bait being offered across the state, we’re backing our farmers and regional communities with real, practical support.

“Increasing access to baiting and trapping resources gives landholders the tools they need, meaning greater impact on the ground and fewer pigs out there causing damage.”

Local Land Services Feral Pig Coordinator Bec Gray emphasised the need for a collaborative approach in areas like the Western LLS, where pig populations often move freely across property lines.

“When it comes to feral pigs and pest animal control, unfortunately there’s no silver bullet, which is why we need to support the use of multiple control methods, such as baiting, trapping and shooting," Ms Gray said.

“Feral pigs don’t respect fences or boundaries. They move across landscapes and cause widespread damage. That’s why we’re encouraging landholders to team up, plan strategically and use the free bait and grain available across all 11 Local Land Services regions.”

“This isn’t just about individual properties, it’s about community-wide action. The more unified the response, the greater the success.”

Landholders in the Hay, Balranald, Carrathool, and Central Darling LGAs - who fall under the Western and Riverina LLS regions -are encouraged to contact their closest LLS office for tailored advice and to access the free supplies while stocks last.

To find your Local Land Services region or for more information, visit the NSW Government website.

Contact Local Land Services: 1300 795 299