Waihola Dairy Farmers Receive Grant for Rabbit-Proof Fencing Project

In a recent development, dairy farmers Corina Boyd and Nigel Hallis from Waihola, New Zealand, have secured funding from the Otago Regional Council to tackle a burgeoning rabbit population on their farm. The grant, amounting to $23,309, is part of the council’s Eco Fund initiative, which supports community-led environmental projects across Otago.

The couple, who transitioned from sheep and beef farming to dairy in 2022, have faced significant challenges due to rabbits consuming pasture and creating hazards with their burrows. Traditional control methods, such as using Pindone poison bait, have become less effective because of the rabbits' growing bait shyness.

The primary entry points for the rabbits are the rail corridors that run through the property, including a section of State Highway 1 and four kilometers of KiwiRail tracks. In response, Boyd and Hallis, alongside two neighboring sheep farmers, have formed the “Waihola Highway Community Rabbit Project” to install heavy-duty, rabbit-proof fencing along these vulnerable areas.

Previously, efforts such as professional hunting and aerial baiting had limited success. For example, although a hunting team culled 1,400 rabbits in one weekend, the animals quickly adapted by retreating to deep burrows. Similarly, an attempt by KiwiRail to conduct aerial baiting did not have the desired impact, leading to the creation of a special baiting zone on the farm.

With the new fencing project, the farmers aim to establish a more sustainable solution to protect their dairy operations. The physical exclusion strategy is seen as a necessary step to prevent re-infestation and safeguard the economic viability of their farm.

According to ORC Councillor Chanel Gardner, the Waihola initiative is one of 28 projects funded in the latest Eco Fund round, totaling over $919,000 in grants. These projects are selected based on their potential to deliver measurable environmental and agricultural outcomes.