Southern Downs sheep producers say a dramatic increase in dingo numbers is creating a crisis for the region's livestock industry, with some growers reporting such heavy losses that there is speculation that the industry will die out completely.
“It’s sad for this district, especially on this trap rock country, it lends itself to wool growing,” Gordon Smith, one of the few wool growers in the district told the Town & Country Journal.
Gordon explains that dingos killing sheep has escalated sharply since the end of the last drought. Landholders are now facing an unprecedented problem
"There has been a huge spike in the number of dogs," he said, adding that it is mainly purebred dingos that they’re dealing with.
The daily killing of stock comes as sheep farmers deal with dry conditions and the financial and emotional strain of continually trying to protect livestock. Gordon and his grown son spend much of their time checking traps, setting up cameras, baiting and even staying awake all night holding a rifle.
At their wits end, Gordon and other local growers have asked for a meeting with MP James Lister to enlighten him on the situation. Gordon says that even low-level funding support for exclusion fencing, baiting or other assistance would be extremely welcome. Right now, they feel very alone.
It wasn’t always such a problem. When Gordon’s grandfather bought the traprock property just after the first World War, there were many sheep growers in the area that coordinated with each other. Because there was a good cluster of growers, the ability for dingos to encroach on herds was far less.
Now, surrounded by empty land and random lots of exclusion fencing that can actually funnel the animals into their grazing area, things are far more dangerous.
The consequences of losing 25 or so sheep in one night are devastating, with losses extending beyond the value of the sheep themselves.
“It’s not sustainable long term to suffer these sort of losses, especially at the price of sheep. To go and buy replacement sheep, you’re looking at anywhere from $150 to $200 for young sheep. Probably more like $200 just at the moment.”
There are no insurance payouts.
“It’s very disheartening and very time consuming,” Gordon says.
Producers report that surviving animals can become stressed and difficult to manage, while breeding programs built over years can be set back in a single night.
The issue has become a major talking point among landholders, with many calling for stronger and more coordinated control measures across the region.
One neighbouring grower trapped about 15 dogs in under 12 months.
“They were all dingoes,” Gordon says. “But in the end he lost so many sheep. I think he bought 1600 sheep and he mustered out about 1100 in the end. He sold them all and moved out because he was still having losses even after trapping that many.”
“Once they find a reliable food source, and if they’ve got a good hideout, they’ll stay in that area and just keep repeat killing.”
According to Gordon, growers are increasingly concerned that existing efforts are struggling to keep pace with rising dingo numbers.
Landholders have been discussing a range of possible responses, including increased baiting programs, trapping, coordinated control efforts and greater support for exclusion fencing.
They are just hopeful that Mr Lister can give them some assistance.
“There’s no silver bullets, but I think it’s about creating awareness of the gravity of the situation to him.”
Gordon says there were some subsidies for fencing but “the money seems to have dried up”.
Gordon says exclusion fencing around all the thousands of acres he owns is impractical but they are starting with 8 kilometres soon.
For now, however, many producers say the reality is that they cannot afford to leave their flocks unprotected. For Gordon and other Southern Downs producers, the stakes are high.
