Preliminary results from Agriculture Victoria's recent livestock predation survey will be discussed at targeted dingo conservation and management consultation activities being held across the state this week.
More than 500 Victorian livestock producers responded to the survey issued in July, providing valuable information about the levels and frequency of livestock attacks on their properties, the effectiveness of control methods and the impact of livestock predation on farmers and their local communities.
The insights collected through the survey will be considered alongside scientific research; conversations and perspectives from Traditional Owners, environmental and agricultural groups; and feedback collected through stakeholder engagement activities as part of Victoria's review of its approach to dingo conservation and management.
Of the 500 survey respondents, approximately 72% were located in eastern Victoria, 3% in the north west.
The survey showed that livestock predation is an ongoing concern to sheep farmers whose properties border public land.
Just over half of the survey respondents reported incidents of livestock being maimed or killed by a wild dog or dingo in the past 5 years.
Valuable insights into the methods of control being used to manage predation were revealed through the survey.
Most producers (84%) said they were using a mix of lethal and non-lethal control methods to manage predation with the most common forms of control methods being shooting, 1080 ground baiting, trapping, farm hygiene, exclusion fencing and guardian animals.
Agriculture Victoria is grateful to the hundreds of producers who took the time to take part in the survey.
Having up-to-date insights and perspectives from producers in relation to livestock predation on private properties across the state is an important input to Victoria's dingo conservation and management review.
The survey results will continue to be analysed to help build Agriculture Victoria's understanding of producer' perspectives on this complex issue.
