Queensland landholders and primary producers wanting to learn more about the latest tools and techniques to tackle feral pests are being urged to register their interest for one of 30 workshops being held in 2017.
AgForce Projects Vertebrate Pests Officer Damien Ferguson said 20 no cost workshops had been held throughout Queensland since September to train landholders in chemical handling safety and pest management, and another 30 were now being planned for the first half of 2017.
“Feral animals cost the Queensland agriculture industry hundreds of millions of dollars each and every year,” he said.
“From cane and banana growers in the north, to cattle and sheep producers in the far west, and fruit and vegetable growers in the south-east, Queensland primary producers are all battling various pest animals which threaten the viability of their operations if not controlled.
“These new workshops are aimed at helping landholders get ahead of the game and access the most up-to-date tools to deal with pest animals on their land, including PAPP baits and Canid Pest Ejectors (M44 ejectors).”
Queensland Farmers’ Federation project manager Ross Henry said eligible producers would qualify for a chemical accreditation card for nationally recognised units of training as well as a certificate of participation for the pest animal management training.
“The workshops held over the past few months have proven very popular with about 200 landholders from areas such as the Darling Downs, Central Queensland, south-east Queensland, south-west Queensland and north Queensland taking part,” he said.
“We now want to hear from landholders and producers where they would like workshops in 2017.”
The workshops are tailored for producers in a range of sectors including beef, sheep, grain, cane, cotton, horticulture, poultry and pigs.
For more information and to register your interest in the workshops, go to the AgForce Projects website – www.agforceprojects.org.au or call (07) 3238 6048.
The workshops are being delivered by AgForce Projects with Australian Government Agriculture White Paper funding administered through the Queensland Government and with support from the Queensland Farmers’ Federation.