Dramatic jump in region’s lamb production linked to construction of thousands of kilometres of fencing to protect sheep from attacksA fence-building spree to keep out wild dogs has created a booming lambing rate in western Queensland. The upshot was an extra 213,000 sheep in the state flock, which Palaszczuk said would deliver an extra “45 full-time jobs worth $2.5m per year”. Of Australia’s 70m sheep flock, 1.8m in 2015-16 were destined for the controversial live export industry, sent via ship to Middle Eastern countries including Kuwait and Israel. Palaszczuk said it was “a shame the LNP didn’t share the vision and commitment” of two wild dog commissioners she appointed last year, including the LNP’s own former MP, Vaughan Johnson. The state government has also approved five new projects employing an extra seven “wild dog officers” in regional Queensland.

Source: The Guardian July 30, 2017 20:00 UTC