Fireweed control to be stepped up
From the March 2009 edition of Agriculture Today.
Further control plans will be initiated for fireweed, a problem on agricultural land along the NSW coast.
After a review by the Noxious Weeds Advisory Committee, the NSW Government agreed that although fireweed is widespread in the State, there are still opportunities to prevent further spread and to minimise its impact on primary production and land managers where it is established.
Fireweed is an invasive plant, quickly colonising heavily grazed, or neglected pastures, and cultivated, or disturbed, land during the autumn to spring period.
It competes strongly with existing pasture plants for light, moisture and soil nutrients, particularly phosphorus and nitrogen.
This competition can lead to the further deterioration of pastures and a reduction in overall grazing area.
Fireweed can sometimes be poisonous to livestock, particularly cattle and horses.
Between 2008 and 2013, landholders will be provided with best practice technical information.
Extension officer Craig Muir will work with local control authorities, district agronomists, researchers, catchment management authorities and farmers over five years.
They will benchmark the current impact, assist local authorities to develop strategic fireweed management plans, and co-ordinate a regional extension program focusing on best practice fireweed management and making pastures more resilient to weed invasion.
Mr Muir will also look beyond the allocated $500,000 for access other funds to support the project and find opportunities for further research.
Contact Craig Muir, (02) 4464 6009, craig.muir@dpi.nsw.gov.au
Five year plan targets invasive species
THE NSW Fireweed Management Plan from 2008-2013 will be part of the broader NSW Invasive Species Plan to run for the same duration.
The plan will aim to improve the management of invasive species in NSW.
"Invasive species pose one of the greatest threats to biodiversity and primary production in NSW," Primary Industries Minister, Ian Macdonald, said.
"The plan proposes actions to prevent, contain and manage invasive species, including weeds, vertebrate and invertebrate animal pests, freshwater and marine aquatic pests."
More profitable agricultural production and lower costs of control for land managers are key goals.
More than 1350 exotic weeds plant species have naturalised in NSW, with more than 100 of them having significant impacts on the environment.
"The NSW Invasive Species Plan will be of benefit to rural communities by providing a whole of government approach in NSW," Mr Macdonald said.
Wild dogs, feral pigs, rabbits, foxes, feral goats, feral cats and carp are the key pest animals occurring in NSW.
Some other pest animals, such as feral horses, wild deer, rats and cane toads, are more localised problems.
It is estimated that pest animals cost the Australian economy over $1 billion.
The plan will be implemented jointly by the Department of Primary Industries and the Department of Environment and Climate Change (DECC).
However, the success of the plan will be reliant on a collaborative approach by other government organisations, industry and the wider community.
The Department of Lands, and key partners such as catchment management authorities, local weed control authorities, Livestock Health and Pest Authority and local government will be major contributors in enacting the plan.
Contact Scott Charlton, Orange, (02) 6391 3166, scott.charlton@dpi.nsw.gov.au
