Results from an Industry and Investment NSW study showed neighbours working together to target foxes could see improvements in lamb survival by as much as 20 per cent.

Project officer with the I and I NSW vertebrate pest research unit Lynette McLeod led the study, incorporating more than 1000 farmers in the Young, Forbes, Molong and Dubbo regions, looking into the effect of different fox baiting programs on lamb survival.

The results showed group baiting works best, the more widespread, and the better.

“The bigger the group, the better lamb survival, up to 20 per cent in some cases,” Ms McLeod said.

The study also showed that timing could be crucial with autumn and spring the best time to hit.

Tablelands Livestock Health and Pest Authority ranger at Molong Colin Sommerset said autumn baitings can target young cubs moving out to establish new territories.

“While they are young and inexperienced they are probably more liable to pick up the bait,” he said.

“It is also coming into the breeding season for females and any female that takes the bait now won’t be having a litter in springtime.”

Central West LHPA ranger Rhett Robinson, based at Dubbo, said the Central West LHPA is about to head into their big time, with meetings all through March.

The LHPA is also offering discounted 1080 bait through these meetings.

Mr Robinson said group baiting can reduce costs and see big returns.

He said with a mob of 500 to 600 ewes, even a 10 per cent improvement in lambing survival could mean as much as $10,000 extra returns with the current high prices.

The group baiting also saves money by requiring each landholder to place less baits over a shorter time period than they might if baiting alone.

This can also result in less risk of accidental baiting of dogs with less baits over a short time period that everyone is aware of.

Spotlight counts by the LHPA show that areas that don’t have coordinated group baiting see about six times more foxes than those that bait as a group.

As well as better lamb survival, reduced fox numbers can also have improved biodiversity aspects.

Mr Robinson said the Dubbo area has really embraced the group baiting with 33 groups in the area.

Mr Somerset said the Molong area was trying to encourage more interest in this group baiting.

He said this can be attributed in part to the need for a chemical user’s license; however the LHPA can hold these courses at reasonable costs.

To get involved in a group baiting program, contact your local LHPA ranger.