Grafton Agricultural Research and Advisory Station undertakes a range of advisory and regulatory services:

Bernadette Hanley, I&I NSW - collecting pupae for Bitou Bush biological control

Weeds Unit

• The weeds unit carries out research and advisory services regarding both land and aquatic weeds.
• Coordinating and planning weed management, and administering the Noxious Weeds Act 1993 in the North Coast region (R Ensbey).
• The breeding of insects for the biological control of lantana, salvinia, cats claw creeper and bitou bush. Along with other weed control measures, these insects are playing an important role in the integrated management of these species. (B Hanley).
• The development, review and coordination of a wide range of weed publications available to NSW weed professionals and the community (E van Oosterhout)
• The development, promotion and coordination of weed awareness extension materials and activities for NSW. (J. Grantley)  

Rod Ensbey, Neale Tweedie and Elissa van Oosterhout - Salvinia Manual Launch at Grafton PII

• Coordinating programs nationally for the control of aquatic weeds which have national significance. (A Petroeschevsky).
  
• State-wide aquatic weed co-ordination including the development of extension and awareness material; providing technical assistance for management of NSW’s declared noxious aquatic weeds; and development and assistance in state, regional and local strategic plans. The program aims to build the capacity of stakeholders to manage aquatic weeds throughout NSW (M Kahler and C Mifsud).    

National Co-ordination of Aquatic Weeds Program

The National Aquatic Weeds Program provides coordination for management of the three aquatic Weeds of National Significance (Alligator Weed, Cabomba and Salvinia) and aquatic weeds in general. The national coordinator oversees implementation of the national strategic plans for these WoNS species and provides nationwide advice on their management to government, weed control authorities, community groups, aquatic plant trade and scientific agencies. (A Petroeschevsky)

Agronomic advice

Rye Grass Field Day - 14 October 2008 held at Grafton PII

Providing an agronomic extension service in the Grafton, Coffs Harbour, Bellingen and Dorrigo districts to help farmers develop and maintain productive, efficient and sustainable pastures and crops that ensure marketable pasture crop and livestock products. This includes conducting courses such as Prograze, Topfodder Silage Making and Pastures for Profit, conducting farm walks such as Paddock Plants and SoyCheck.

Trials for the evaluation of pasture species and varieties are also conducted. At the moment work is underway at Grafton on the evaluation and development of swazi grass as a pasture and rust screening of ryegrass varieties.