ARTIFICIAL intelligence and other technology is being used to improve feral pig control methods in Queensland.

The Department of Primary Industries is investing $436,160 to help create new and innovative tools and techniques to control the scourge of feral pigs across the state.

Deputy Director-General and Chief Biosecurity Officer Rachel Chay announced two successful applicants who will receive funding through Round 8(b) of the Queensland Feral Pest Initiative.

Dr Chay said the funded projects would harness innovative technology such as artificial intelligence to improve the trapping, monitoring and control of feral pigs throughout Queensland.

“Feral pigs do untold damage to Queensland agriculture and are known carriers of disease which can devastate our domestic pork industry,” Dr Chay said.

“This funding aims to ensure a diverse and humane suite of control tools is available and accessible for use across Qld.

“The successful applicants in this round of funding were the Reef and Rainforest Research Centre based in Cairns and The University of Queensland which will base its project from their Gatton campus.”

Dr Chay said both projects would provide real improvements in feral pig control methods.

“The Reef and Rainforest Research Centre project will give farmers and other stakeholders access to real-time information and data on the presence, location, number and size of feral pigs,” she said.

“This information can then be used to integrate and test innovative control measures such as ‘smart fences’ and automated baiting programs, allowing stakeholders to monitor larger land areas more quickly and at reduced cost.

“In addition, the University of Queensland project will design and deliver a decision-making framework that optimises control measures for specific locations and times by integrating research on pig behaviour, climate, landscape data and control techniques.”

The DPI supports effective invasive plant and animal management through the Queensland Feral Pest Initiative (QFPI).

Round 8(b) of the QFPI received 48 expressions of interest for funding and the final selection was made by the QFPI Oversight Group which includes representatives from government and non-government agencies.

For more information visit the Queensland Feral Pest Initiative website.

Source: Queensland Government