The funds were part of a sponsorship deal from the community-driven Red Card for Red Fox program, during which local landholders worked together to control fox and rabbit populations over the autumn period.

A donation was offered by Stockbrands to the RFDS for each fox culled during registered community foxshoots during March, and the community response was incredible.

About 30 registered shoots were held, including in Wagin and Woodanilling.

The Katanning saleyards was chosen for the handover of the cheque as sheep farmers played a major role in organising and participating in the local shoots – and their sheep flocks will benefit from the reduction in fox numbers during lambing.

More than 1,300 landholders throughout the State rallied to the cause and more than 5000 foxes were culled on farms across the agricultural region.

“The $20,000 donation ultimately comes from the sheep farmers that buy and use our ear tags,” Stockbrands Co owner John Forehan said.

“We all have our core business focuses but unless we work together and address production issues at a scale that we have an impact on, we are basically chasing our tails.:

“The RFDS is immensely grateful for this donation, which will be used to fit out the Rio Tinto Life Flight Jet with specialist medical equipment,” community volunteer Adrian Roocke said as he accepted the cheque.

The Stockbrands Co raffle will be drawn on December 23, where farmers who buy Stockbrands ear tags and participated in baiting and shooting activities have the chance to win more than $10,000 in prizes.

The Red Card for the Red Fox program is funded through Wheatbelt NRM, the Southwest Catchments Council, and is supported by the Department of Agriculture and Food WA.

For more information, contact program co-ordinator Sally Thomson on 0417 983 356.