Tuesday, 16 May 2017 08:28

Possum control operation to get underway

Written by 

An aerial operation to control possum numbers in the Silver Peaks, an area of rough forest and tussock and scrub covered hill country near Dunedin, will get underway this month.

The TBfree programme aims to control and eventually eradicate bovine tuberculosis (TB) from New Zealand by 2055 with a combination of comprehensive pest management, TB testing for cattle and deer and stock movement control.

OSPRI’s Southern South Island programme manager Brent Rohloff said the Silver Peaks aerial operation, covering approximately 8,600 hectares and including the Silver Stream catchment, was entirely weather dependent but scheduled to start this month.

Monitoring had shown that control work was needed in the Silver Peaks area to reduce the possum population and minimise the risk of the disease spreading through wild animal populations to farmed cattle and deer. To eradicate bovine TB, possum numbers need to be kept extremely low – around one to two animals every 10 hectares.

The Silver Peaks block was last aerially treated in 2011. The Silver Stream portion has not received aerial control before.

There are strict safety, quality assurance and monitoring requirements around the use of 1080 when applied either by hand or aerially, and dog owners are reminded to keep their animals well away from areas where warning signs indicate that toxic baits will be present.

“Warning signs will be erected at all likely public access points to the area before the application of toxic bait begins. It is important that the public adhere to the instructions on these warning signs,” says Rohloff.

“Dog owners are reminded to keep their animals well away from areas where warning signs are present. It will not be safe to take dogs into the area until all of the signs have been officially removed.”

OSPRI helps protect and enhance the reputation of New Zealand’s primary industries. It manages the NAIT and TBfree programmes.

More like this

Mealybug warnings

As mealybugs gain a foothold in Central Otago, grapegrowers are being urged to be vigilant for signs of Grapevine Leafroll-associated Virus Type 3 (leafroll 3) in vines.

Featured

Fonterra unveils divestment plan

Fonterra is exploring full or partial divestment options for its global Consumer business, as well as its integrated businesses Fonterra Oceania and Fonterra Sri Lanka.

A key part of the team

Having a trusted feed supplier as part of their team is a vital part of a Eureka family's farm business - especially now that they've shifted to autumn calving.

Editorial: O Canada!

OPINION: Politicians the world over have as their priority - get elected and stay elected.

Building leadership

Craigmore Sustainables says it is committed to investing in professional and career development for its farm managers and employees.

Eat more fruit, stay healthy

Nutritionists are urging Kiwis to kickstart their day with a piece of fresh fruit to help improve their health and wellbeing this autumn.

National

Fonterra appoints new CFO

Fonterra has appointed a new chief financial officer, seven months after its last CFO’s shock resignation.

Rural GP's inspiring legacy

The legacy of Dr Peter Snow continues to inspire as the recipients of the 2023 and 2024 Peter Snow Memorial…

Machinery & Products

GPS in control

In a move that will make harvesting operations easier, particularly in odd-shaped paddocks, Kuhn has announced that GPS section control…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Wrong, again!

OPINION: This old mutt well remembers the wailing, whining and gnashing of teeth by former West Coast MP and Labour…

Reality check

OPINION: Your canine crusader gets a little fed up with the some in media, union hacks, opposition politicians and hard-core…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter