Farmers Concerned About Absentee Landowners and Pest Control

ABC Central West

Topic: Pests

Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 9:27 am

Derek Larsen says Local Land Services help with equipment like pig traps, but pest control takes a lot of time.

In short:

Farmers are calling for landowners who do not live on their land to help control feral pests.

In New South Wales, anyone who owns land must prevent the spread of pests and diseases.

What's next?

Farmers want more education on feral pest management before people buy land.

Farmer Derek Larsen spends most of his time setting up traps and plans to keep feral animals away.

This is part of life on his farm in Capertee, New South Wales.

But Mr. Larsen thinks some absentee landholders are not doing their part in feral pest management.

Pigs that were trapped and killed on Derek Larsen's property.

It becomes a more difficult process, a bigger challenge, he said.

Many absentee landholders have never heard of the NSW Biosecurity Act and its obligations.

It is hard to know how many absentee landowners there are.

A 2023 study said between 22 and 45 percent of landowners in Australia were absentee.

These could be big companies, farmers leasing their land, or people who moved to the country.

The study found most landholders spent little time managing weeds.

The NSW Biosecurity Act says landowners must prevent the spread of pests and diseases.

Everyone who owns or manages land must take part in pest control programs and work with neighbors.

Derek Larsen used grain in a trap to catch over 30 feral pigs in one night.

Feral pests are a major problem

Feral animals cost farmers almost $1 billion a year.

This is due to livestock deaths, crop damage, and the cost of traps and cameras.

The Local Land Services help with costs, but the time and labor are the biggest problems.

There are many types of traps that can be used on properties.

Setting up traps takes a lot of time, said Mr. Larsen.

Neighbours onboard

Mr. Larsen and his neighbors have caught many pigs together.

Working with neighbors is critical to minimizing the feral pest problem.

Patrick Bryant says neighbors need to work together to tackle pests.

If they do not work together, new pigs will just come into the area.

We have to have a broad-brush approach to removing pigs.

It is hard to discuss pest management plans with absentee landholders.

It is difficult to get approvals to go onto their land and set up pig traps.

Landholders' obligations

Amber Kelly, a farmer, has been battling feral animals with her neighbors for years.

Absentee landowners give feral pests a big area to live in.

We would have put out close to 1,000 baits over the last three months, said Ms. Kelly.

She feels responsible to try to control the feral animals.

There are over 10,000 hectares of land owned by absentee landholders in her area.

The feral animals have a big area to live in, so we can never get ahead of management.

We are already working together, but it is hard when many landowners do not live there.

Feral pigs are more active at night.

More education for weekenders

While the LLS runs educational programs, Mr. Larsen wants more conversations before people buy land.

When buying land, there needs to be some education on pest management.

People who live on properties full-time are happy to work with their city-living neighbors.

If they understand the issues, they would participate, said Mr. Larsen.

Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 9:27 am

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Farmers Concerned About Absentee Landowners and Pest Control

ABC Central West

Topic: Pests

Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 9:27 am

Derek Larsen says Local Land Services help with equipment like pig traps, but pest control takes a lot of time.

In short:

Farmers are calling for landowners who do not live on their land to help control feral pests.

In New South Wales, anyone who owns land must prevent the spread of pests and diseases.

What's next?

Farmers want more education on feral pest management before people buy land.

Farmer Derek Larsen spends most of his time setting up traps and plans to keep feral animals away.

This is part of life on his farm in Capertee, New South Wales.

But Mr. Larsen thinks some absentee landholders are not doing their part in feral pest management.

Pigs that were trapped and killed on Derek Larsen's property.

It becomes a more difficult process, a bigger challenge, he said.

Many absentee landholders have never heard of the NSW Biosecurity Act and its obligations.

It is hard to know how many absentee landowners there are.

A 2023 study said between 22 and 45 percent of landowners in Australia were absentee.

These could be big companies, farmers leasing their land, or people who moved to the country.

The study found most landholders spent little time managing weeds.

The NSW Biosecurity Act says landowners must prevent the spread of pests and diseases.

Everyone who owns or manages land must take part in pest control programs and work with neighbors.

Derek Larsen used grain in a trap to catch over 30 feral pigs in one night.

Feral pests are a major problem

Feral animals cost farmers almost $1 billion a year.

This is due to livestock deaths, crop damage, and the cost of traps and cameras.

The Local Land Services help with costs, but the time and labor are the biggest problems.

There are many types of traps that can be used on properties.

Setting up traps takes a lot of time, said Mr. Larsen.

Neighbours onboard

Mr. Larsen and his neighbors have caught many pigs together.

Working with neighbors is critical to minimizing the feral pest problem.

Patrick Bryant says neighbors need to work together to tackle pests.

If they do not work together, new pigs will just come into the area.

We have to have a broad-brush approach to removing pigs.

It is hard to discuss pest management plans with absentee landholders.

It is difficult to get approvals to go onto their land and set up pig traps.

Landholders' obligations

Amber Kelly, a farmer, has been battling feral animals with her neighbors for years.

Absentee landowners give feral pests a big area to live in.

We would have put out close to 1,000 baits over the last three months, said Ms. Kelly.

She feels responsible to try to control the feral animals.

There are over 10,000 hectares of land owned by absentee landholders in her area.

The feral animals have a big area to live in, so we can never get ahead of management.

We are already working together, but it is hard when many landowners do not live there.

Feral pigs are more active at night.

More education for weekenders

While the LLS runs educational programs, Mr. Larsen wants more conversations before people buy land.

When buying land, there needs to be some education on pest management.

People who live on properties full-time are happy to work with their city-living neighbors.

If they understand the issues, they would participate, said Mr. Larsen.

Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 9:27 am

Promotion

Top Stories

LIVE

BREAKING

Topic: Explainer

Topic: Air Incidents

Popular now

LIVE

BREAKING

Top Stories

LIVE

BREAKING

Topic: Explainer

Topic: Air Incidents

Just In

Topic: Perspective

Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 12:04 pm

Topic: Federal Government

Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 12:03 pm

Topic: Roads

Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 11:59 am

Topic: Health

Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 11:50 am