Few pest management products have stood the test of time as increasing regulations, resistant pests, and grower preferences have changed over the years.
Yet, Foxoff stands alone as the leading vertebrate pest control product graziers have depended upon for 35 years according to ACTA general manager Bradley Power.
To underscore this important milestone, ACTA is announcing a variety of anniversary activities to celebrate the benefits of Foxoff and commemorate its contributions as a pioneer in sustainable global agriculture.
First registered in Australia in 1989, Foxoff contains the naturally occurring active sodium fluoroacetate and due to its unique properties, Foxoff and 1080 have a unique and critical fit in protecting our local native flora, fauna and farming livelihoods.
Many people remain unaware 1080 (also called sodium fluoroacetate) is the most environmentally sensitive and target-specific poison available to protect Australia’s vulnerable wildlife and ecosystems from feral animals, because it occurs naturally in more than 30species of Australian native plants.
Most native plants containing 1080 are found in Western Australia, with various species also known in Queensland and the Northern Territory.
These native plants have evolved to contain this compound as a defence mechanism to deter mammals and insects from eating their foliage and seeds.
Being a natural toxin, 1080 biodegrades quickly and is broken-down into harmless compounds by microorganisms and bacteria when exposed to soil and water.
The high target specificity of 1080 is due to Australian native wildlife’s natural resistance to it as a toxin.
Australian animals have shared the landscape with plants containing 1080 for many thousands of years, and it is for that reason alone our introduced invasive species, such as wild dogs, foxes and cats are much more sensitive to the poison.
With increased impacts and sightings of foxes and wild dogs, ACTA is urging landholders to engage in strategic fox control and wild dog programs.
Bradley says planning is underway for autumn baiting programs, and he is encouraging graziers to reach out to take part and embrace their biosecurity duty to manage priority pest animals on their land.
“During the summer, we've received more reports from landholders impacted by foxes and wild dogs, and as we head closer to the cooler months, it's an ideal time to undertake control prior to autumn lambing and calving,” he says.
“We're coming into the months where targeted control will have the greatest impact on foxes and wild dogs, and with ACTA’s full targeted range, we continue to be here to support farmers in improving their lambing and calving percentages and limiting the impact of predation on their flocks and herds.
"Another factor in the success of a programmed approach comes from farmers working together and encouraging their neighbours to be involved. The more widespread and coordinated the effort, the more success the entire farming community will all have."
Bradley says foxes and wild dogs don’t just impact sheep and cattle producers, so participation of landholders regardless of land use is crucial.
"Pest animals such as foxes and wild dogs aren't deterred by boundary fences, so we're hoping to get more farmers participating in support of the coordinated control programs being implemented by the various state and federal agencies to help reduce the impacts on agriculture and native species in our communities,” he adds.
To join the growing number of resellers and pest managers becoming Feral Fighters in 2025 and taking up the challenge to protect our native species, lambs and calves, you can reach out to ACTA directly this autumn and back the trusted and proven performers invertebrate pest management.
