Weed Management during and after Drought

For Help or Assistance on Managing Weeds during and after a Drought - the following information has been compiled by Council's Noxious Weeds Officer in conjunction with Dept of Agriculture and Dept of Primary Industry Reps.

Introduction

In previous droughts, 97% of hay purchased contained at least one noxious weed.  Fodder had up to 33 different weed species, and up to 364,000 seeds per small square bale.  In another study, hay from one source containing a serious noxious weed, went to 17 different properties, 300 to 500km away, resulting in new infestations on 14 of these properties.

Drought provides the ideal opportunity for weeds to establish and spread.  It is important to maintain vigilance so that new weeds do not become an additional problem on your farm after the drought.

Both land managers and local control authorities should have a strategy in place for combating potential weed problems before, not after, they occur.

The following information is offered for your consideration.

Activities of Councils during Drought to Assist Land Holders

§                   Increased Inspections of:

o        Roadsides and truck stops

o        Grain and fodder storage facilities

o        Stock holding yards

o        TSR’s

§                   Monitor and inspect properties importing fodder

§                   Inform landholders if fodder contaminated with notifiable weeds is found

Minimizing Weed Spread during Drought

Suggestions to avoid new weed outbreaks are:

§                   Obtain as much detail as possible about the source of fodder and grain that is being brought onto your property

§                   Encourage feeding of fodder in feedlots or small paddocks

§                   Livestock on agistment – be aware of weeds found in that area and quarantine livestock on return

§                   Keep a close watch for unknown plants and have them identified immediately.  Don’t let them establish and set seed.

Suggested Post Drought Measures

Council encourages landholders to look for new and suspect plants in areas where possible contamination may have occurred.  These may include:

§                   Stock feeding areas

§                   Grain and hay storage sites

§                   Areas grazed by travelling stock

§                   TSR holding yards

Contacts

Report any suspect plants to your local Council weed officer or NSW Agriculture Office.

More Information

Department of Primary Industry

NSW Agriculture – www.agric.nsw.gov.au

or

Contact Mr Stephen Battenally, Wakool Shire Council’s Noxious Weeds Officer on 03 58875201 or mobile 0427513982.

© 2008 Wakool Shire Council
This page: http://wakool.local-e.nsw.gov.au/faqs/pages/43767.html