Innovative Remote Trapyard Revolutionizes Feral Goat Management at Murchison House Station
Murchison House Station, located 570 kilometers north of Perth, has introduced a pioneering solution for managing its feral goat population. The station has implemented a new 9-kilometer-long, 25-meter-wide remote-controlled trapyard system. This innovative approach is designed to transform livestock management, aiming to reduce stress on animals, enhance staff safety, and significantly decrease operational costs compared to traditional mustering methods.
A new 9-kilometer-long, 25-meter-wide remote-controlled trapyard system aims to reduce stress on livestock, enhance staff safety, and decrease operational costs associated with traditional mustering methods.
System Operations and Key Benefits
The state-of-the-art trapyard is equipped with 10 entry gates that can be closed remotely via smartphones from distances up to 20 kilometers. It also features seven water tanks, each fitted with sensors to detect animal presence, optimizing trapping efforts. Once goats are successfully trapped, they are efficiently herded to a dedicated holding yard in preparation for transport to market.
Calum Carruth, owner of Murchison House, highlighted the system's advantages, stating that it is more cost-efficient, safer for staff, and less stressful for the animals. The estimated cost for establishing this sophisticated trapyard ranges from $350,000 to $400,000, with an anticipated return on investment within just five years.
Environmental Context and Strategic Placement
Feral goats are recognized as a declared pest in Western Australia, primarily due to their destructive impact on the environment, particularly in sensitive areas such as the Kalbarri National Park, which borders Murchison House Station. Despite their pest status, these animals also represent valuable livestock, with a consistent demand for goat meat in markets across Asia, the Middle East, and the United States.
The trapyard's strategic placement is crucial to its success. It is designed to capture goats as they naturally migrate from coastal areas and the national park towards essential water sources during the hot summer months. Furthermore, the project was born out of a critical need to safeguard the fragile Pillawarra land system, a 70-kilometer limestone escarpment. This area holds significant geological and historical value but is highly susceptible to erosion, and its freshwater soaks and grazing opportunities make it a strong magnet for goats during arid periods.
Technology and Future Applications
The advanced trapyard system is powered by an extensive telemetry network. This network relies on solar-powered antennas and a sophisticated meshing radio frequency network. This private communication infrastructure connects directly to the internet at the station's homestead, enabling seamless remote operation. The innovative design and construction of the system were a collaborative effort with Annie Brox and her team from Origo.ag.
The Carruth family believes this trapyard concept has significant potential for adaptation to manage other feral animal populations in remote Australian regions, such as wild pigs or camels, though more robust fencing would be required for such applications. Looking ahead, Murchison House Station intends to expand the trapyard, potentially replacing most traditional motor-based mustering operations on the property.