Alice Springs Rural Review
Northern Territory. Department of Resources
Alice Springs Rural Review; E-Journals; PublicationNT; Alice Springs Rural Review
2010-12-01
Alice Springs
Made available via the Publications (Legal Deposit) Act 2004 (NT).; This publication contains many links to external sites. These external sites may no longer be active.; Includes : Pastoral Market Update November 2010; Arid Zone Research Institute; AZRI, Alice Springs
English
Agriculture; Alice Springs Region; Periodicals
Northern Territory Government
Alice Springs
Alice Springs Rural Review
V 44 (9-12) December 2010
application/pdf
0813-9148
Attribution International 4.0 (CC BY 4.0)
Northern Territory Government
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/227332
https://hdl.handle.net/10070/676011
ALICE SPRINGS RURAL REVIEW, Page 6 of 20 Reappearance of Calicivirus removes feral rabbit numbers Kym Schwartzkopff, NRETAS Wildlife Control Officer, Alice Springs After recent rains in the Alice Springs region, ideal conditions have been produced for the reappearance and spread of the Rabbit Calicivirus Disease (RCD) virus. NRETAS Wildlife Control Officer Kym Schwartzkopff said: the calicivirus was first noticed around the Arid Zone Research Institute (AZRI) on the 15th October 2010, and in the subsequent three weeks, rabbit populations have decreased dramatically to the point of only dead rabbits being sighted (See photo below). The RCD virus prematurely reached the Australian mainland in 1995, but very quickly showed its capacity to decimate large populations of feral rabbits when the adult rabbits had no prior immunity. It is encouraging to see that given ideal conditions (after rain and with flies), the virus still has a capacity to quickly remove large numbers of the feral rabbit pest. Note: Owners of pet rabbits are strongly encouraged to have their rabbits vaccinated against the RCD virus. For more information about the spread of RCD to control feral rabbit numbers in the Alice Springs district, contact the NT Department of Natural Resources, Environment, The Arts and Sport (ph (08) 8951 8250). Photo: The discovery of fresh rabbit carcases with no visible sign of struggle or emaciation demonstrates how quickly the virus has acted (photo courtesy of K. Schwartzkopff, NRETAS 2010). NABRC appoints new Chairman Facilitation specialist Mr Ralph Shannon has recently been appointed as the new Chairman of the Northern Australia Beef Research Council (NABRC). Mr Shannon succeeds John Cox who completed his six year tenure as Chairman. Mr Shannon has a lifetime of involvement in the north Australian beef industry and brings a strong background of organisational development and strategic planning experience to the role. Having previously held a myriad of positions both within industry and as an independent consultant, Mr Shannons background includes being the chair of the Beef Industry North Australia Program (NAP2); Chairman of the Working with People consulting group; Initial co-ordinator of the dairy industrys Subtropical Dairy Program: Chairman of Centre for Agricultural Technology and Executive Chairman of Beef Expo 94. As Chairman of NABRC, an element of the position will involve developing and fostering effective networks between producers, research development and extension providers and other key industry stakeholders. Ralph has a passion for this industry and looks forward to representing the interests of those who produce in excess of 50% of the beef cattle in Australia. He is keen to represent the needs of producers to the MLA and other research institutions and ensure that what is important to them makes it onto the agenda. At the same time, producers through NABRC, act as a filter to review research programs, targeting the outcomes before they are implemented. Ralph has foreshadowed a significant period of change in the research, development and training environments in the coming few years and is looking forward to using his skills and networks to work through these issues. Ralph has a high level of energy, passion and drive to work with and add value to the northern beef industry. Ralphs extensive previous experience with the northern cattle industry and his affinity for regional Australia will stand him in good stead for the role. NABRC is pleased to have Ralph on board and look forward to a strong future with him as their Chairman.