Publication Date

11-2024

Series Number

DPIRD-151

Publisher

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

City

Perth

Abstract

This factsheet outlines the use of fencing to protect crops and pasture from rabbits.

Rabbits cause an estimated loss of $217 million each year to Australian agricultural production and cause significant environmental damage. In Western Australia (WA), areas of native vegetation, particularly on sandy ridges that would otherwise be subject to wind erosion, have been retained on farms. Bush remnants are a major refuge habitat for rabbits, which can cause considerable damage to nearby pastures and crops. A measure of rabbit control can be achieved by poisoning around bush remnants in late summer or autumn, prior to seeding. To be effective, this approach usually needs to be repeated annually. Rabbit densities and resulting crop and pasture losses can still be unacceptably high unless any remaining rabbits are removed. Clearing bush remnants to eradicate the resident rabbit populations is not an acceptable option and clearing permits are required before native vegetation can be destroyed. Bush remnants have intrinsic conservation value, and some are located along protected road reserves

Number of Pages

4

Keywords

Rabbits, Pests, Rabbit proof fencing, Environmental damage, Rabbit control

Disciplines

Agricultural Education | Agricultural Science | Agronomy and Crop Sciences | Animal Sciences | Biosecurity | Environmental Health and Protection | Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment | Environmental Monitoring | Population Biology | Soil Science

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