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[BUSINESS] · Australia · 7 sources

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Australia feral deer populations expand into new farming regions

feral deer invasive species Australian agriculture pest management National Feral Deer Action Plan

Feral deer are spreading into new agricultural regions across Australia, according to the upcoming National Vertebrate Pest Management Report Card 2026. The report identifies feral deer as one of the nation's fastest-growing invasive pests, with an estimated annual cost to the country exceeding $91 million.

Over the five years leading to 2025, deer abundance and distribution increased in Queensland, New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, and Tasmania. Victoria and Western Australia reported largely unchanged abundance levels, while South Australia was the only jurisdiction to report a decline following a statewide eradication program initiated in 2022.

Ryan Milgate, president of the Victorian Farmers Federation, noted that deer are appearing in central and western Victorian districts where they were rarely seen a decade ago. He highlighted the difficulty of controlling the animals, noting their impact on fences and the immense grazing pressure they exert on farmland and plantations.

Entities

Australia · Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry · National Vertebrate Pest Coordinators · Ryan Milgate · Victorian Farmers Federation

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Sources

Feral deer push deeper into farmland as governments fall behind on control [www.northqueenslandregister.com.au]
Feral deer push deeper into farmland as governments fall behind on control [www.queenslandcountrylife.com.au]
Feral deer push deeper into farmland as governments fall behind on control [www.stockandland.com.au]
Feral deer push deeper into farmland as governments fall behind on control [www.stockjournal.com.au]
Feral deer push deeper into farmland as governments fall behind on control [www.theland.com.au]
Feral deer push deeper into farmland as governments fall behind on control [www.farmonline.com.au]
Feral deer push deeper into farmland as governments fall behind on control [www.farmweekly.com.au]