Weeds & Pests

A Victorian landowner has been convicted, fined $500 and ordered to pay $38,747 in compensation costs to the Department of Primary Industries for failing to control rabbits on his property.

The Melbourne Magistrates Court made the decision after the DPI entered the property and undertook rabbit control works recently.

DPI biosecurity area manager Mark Farrer said the DPI conducted rabbit and invasive plant compliance programs to support the community effort and protect high value environmental and agricultural assets.

IPM involves the use of biological, cultural and chemical techniques to manage pests. It offers farmers an alternative to conventional practices where chemicals are often used exclusively. While chemical control is a component of IPM strategies, it is not the primary control option, but instead a support tool. Chemicals are only used if the biological and cultural options are not sufficient to manage the pest and avoid economic loss.

The components of IPM
Biological

What Information Is Contained On A Chemical Label?

A chemical label contains detailed information regarding the product. The label itself is a legal document, which under legislation, must be adhered to at all times. Operating outside the instructions on the chemical label is illegal, and can result in hefty penalties, including imprisonment.

NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI), National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and the Mid Coast Livestock Health and Pest Authority (LHPA) will be conducting meetings on Monday, July 20 at Crescent Head and Tuesday, July 21 at Gladstone.

NSW DPI researcher, Guy Ballard, said the chemical para-aminopropriophenone (PAPP) had been chosen by the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre to address animal welfare issues.

Weeds are just one of the many challenges that small farmers face.

The cheapest weed control option is obviously prevention.  There are many practices that we can adopt to ensure we do not introduce weeds onto our property.  There are 6 principles of weed management:

The NSW Government will spend more than $8.5 million to fight the spread of noxious weeds across the State this financial year, Minister for Primary Industries, Ian Macdonald, announced today.

Minister Macdonald said the noxious weeds grants would be allocated to local councils and other weed control authorities to enable them to carry out specific activities above and beyond their normal weed control programs.

“Noxious weeds are an important and costly issue for the State’s agricultural sector and our economy as a whole,” Mr Macdonald said.

Background to the European Fox

The fox was brought to Australia by early settlers for the purpose of horse and hound hunting, and  have along with domestic cats that have turned feral, have been paramount in the near decimation of many of our native species.The main agricultural impact from foxes is predation on lambs, kids and poultry.  Foxes are thought to prey on up to 30% of lambs and kids in some areas.

Lantana control has become high tech with the recent release of a new Decision Support Tool by the Lantana Weeds of National Significance Program.
The new computer-based tool has been designed to assist land managers with tailoring integrated control programs for their properties - promising more cost-effective management outcomes.

More than 200 Hunter Valley and South Coast farmers recently attended a spring series of field days and workshops promoting pasture management for weed control.

“The more competitive the pasture the lower the weed burden in the long run,” said Industry & Investment (I&I) NSW fireweed project officer, Craig Muir.

I&I beef livestock officer, Ian Blackwood, said improved pasture paid for itself.