DESPITE an additional $25,000 earmarked for the landholder-initiated Biteback program to boost dingo control measures south of the dog fence, pastoralists say they need a long-term funding commitment.
SAFF Livestock representative and National Wild Dog Management Advisory Group deputy-chairman Geoff Power, Orroroo, said while the extra funding provided by Australian Wool Innovation was welcome to extend Biteback's reach, more government funding was needed for the programs to be successful.
"Industry is leading the way in dingo control but to do so, we need every tool available to get on top of the problem, including strategic aerial baiting in inaccessible areas," Mr Power said.
"The extensive livestock industries are a great contributor to the State's economy and more government involvement would be appreciated. The government puts money into the fence, but so do we. The issue is not the fence, it is numbers breeding up inside the fence.
"The dingo problem has really shown its ugly face over the past two to three years. It has and will force people out of sheep.
"It is a great benefit for the state to have a vibrant livestock industry. We need a long-term approach for a long-term problem."
Stuart MP Dan van Holst Pellekaan is calling for a five-year government-funded plan to eradicate dingoes inside the fence.
While he welcomes the extra $25,000 provided by the industry, he said it was not enough to make a serious difference and a long-term approach with a solid funding commitment by the government was needed over the ad hoc "dribs and drabs" of funds.
Mr van Holst Pellekaan said lack of direct government funding for dingo control inside the dog fence was holding back progress.
"While funding comes from the sheep industry and natural resource management levies, essentially PIRSA is not contributing. We need a significant chunk of funding for five years to make a real difference," he said.
"We need a long-term program and consistency across the landscape. If there are pockets with no control measures in place, it just won't work.
"This is not just to protect the pastoralists, but to protect the entire SA sheep industry."
Mr van Holst Pellekaan said if the problem was not recognised, it could devastate graziers and farmers as dingoes moved further south.
"Like so many other things, the government will not care until the problem reaches Adelaide," he said. "Sometimes I think it will take a dingo to turn up at the steps of Parliament House before the government gets serious about this issue."
Bans on aerial baiting limit where it can occur and hinders the effectiveness of programs. And with bumper seasons in the pastoral districts, dingoes were shunning baits for the "thrill of the hunt and kill." Ideal breeding conditions with plenty of food would see a further jump in numbers.
"Not only do we have to contend with the dogs we have got, we are looking at a massive influx of new dingoes as a result of more than 12 months of perfect breeding conditions," Mr van Holst Pellekaan said.
The additional funding provided by AWI would enable the SA Arid Lands NRM Board to bring forward the roll-out of Biteback to expand into the Gawler Ranges district.
*Full report in Stock Journal, March 17 issue, 2011.