AgForce coordinator to reduce wild dog impacts in ...

AgForce has appointed a new Central West Queensland Wild Dog Coordinator to help revive Queensland’s once thriving wool and sheep meat industries by reducing the threat posed by wild dogs.

AgForce Sheep and Wool President Alan Rae said Ray Aspinall’s appointment would greatly assist to reduce predation on livestock from feral animals, in particular wild dogs.

Mr Aspinall’s appointment has also returned AgForce’s Wild Dog Coordinators Project to full strength, ensuring more of the State is protected.

“This is a great outcome for sheep producers in the central west of the state,” Mr Rae said.

“Each year wild dogs kill or maim millions of dollars’ worth of livestock.

“That’s why industry needs experienced people like Ray to help landholders, communities, and local councils manage the issue of wild dogs and develop management plans that will leave a legacy for future control as well.

“Wild dogs have been a growing problem in Queensland for many years, but if we properly manage the issue with measures like exclusion fencing, and baiting and trapping, we should see a significant return to agriculture, and to sheep production in particular.”

Mr Aspinall will manage an area of Queensland that includes Boulia, Diamantina, Winton and Barcoo Shires, as well as the regions of Longreach, Barcaldine and Blackall Tambo.

Mr Aspinall grew up on a farming operation near Warwick in the State’s south east and is an experienced shearer, fencer, musterer, and wild dog trapper who now considers himself a Blackall local.

“I’ve lived in Blackall since 1985, so I have a strong understanding of the issues faced by rural communities, and this region in particular,” Mr Aspinall said.

“It’s important we continue to raise awareness about wild dog control.

“I’m aiming to improve stakeholder participation in control measures and management so that we reduce the number of livestock lost to wild dogs.

“It’s not only about building an exclusion fence. It’s about using every control tool available to reduce the number of wild dogs within the environment and allow our farming families to sleep easy at night.”

Mr Rae and Mr Aspinall said AgForce’s Wild Dog Coordinators Project was just one of the many ways AgForce was delivering high quality service and advice to their members while standing up for all regional Queenslanders.

Access a photo of Central-west Queensland Wild Dog Coordinator Ray Aspinall here: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ax4llc86xsx4ngx/AAA_5EhYPjgDLY-rvsBBoaQ5a

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Media Contact: David Vogler 0418 733 102