The economics of Canada goose management in New Zealand : A preliminary analysis

Abstract

In some areas the numbers of Canada Geese are imposing costs on runholders and farmers. An attempt was made to quantify this cost and identify the beneficiaries of any reduction in numbers. Two methods of quantifying costs were used. The first was from personal interviews with farmers and runholders. The second was to employ a computer based feed budgeting model. The results between the two approaches varied and the reasons for this are discussed. These variations are thought to result from limitations of data. The impact of goose damage was explained using a model high country pastoral system. An important determinant of cost is the time of year at which geese graze pasture. The cost of control methods were compared. Culling the geese at moult would appear as a commercially viable method of control. Farmer and runholder attitudes on control, recreational hunting and the selling of hunting rights were surveyed, collated and presented.