Grazing Land Management

Biological weed control is a priority in NSW stock reserves

Sheep Central, August 10, 2015
A prickly pear infestation. Picture: Les Tanner.

A prickly pear infestation. Picture: Les Tanner.

CENTRAL west New South Wales landowners, managers and weed officers will get the latest on biological control of weeds at a series of field days this month.

Central West Local Land Services will hold the field days to trial biological weed control methods on a number of travelling stock reserves (TSRs) it manages.

Landholders, weeds officer and anyone else interested is invited to attend the field days in Narromine, Coonamble, Condobolin and Grenfell.

Owner of weedbiocontrol, Barry Sampson, will be presenting at the field days. He has 30 years’ experience in biological control of weeds with NSW Agriculture, CSIRO and other bodies.

Mr Sampson said it was not widely known that a wide range of weeds could not be controlled biologically – including blackberry, thistles, horehound, Paterson’s Curse and prickly pear.

“Some of this saving millions of dollars,” he said.

Target weeds include horehound and tiger pear

Target weeds at the field days will included horehound, tiger pear, prickly pear and St John’s Wort.

Central West Local Land Services manages over 106,000ha of TSRs and weed management is a high priority. CWLS team Leader Peta Holcombe said biological control methods have the potential to help control the problem.

“Biological weed control is another tool to manage particular weeds on our TSRs.

“It is inexpensive due to reduced chemical and labour costs.”

Ms Holcombe said to complement the service’s current chemical control it is exploring the options of biological weed control.

“We are inviting interested people to come along.”

Specific biological control agents will be released at the field days and information will be available about all agents available, symptoms, spreading agents and more.

Field days at Narromine, Coonamble, Condoblin and Grenfell

Narromine – August 24 – Webb’s Reserve, 10am-3pm, target weeds – horehound and tiger pear. RSVP – August 19.

Coonamble – August 25 – 12 Mile Reserve, 10am-3pm, target weeds – tiger pear. RSVP – August 20.

Condobolin – August 26 – Melrose Reserve, 10am-3pm, target weeds – tiger pear and prickly pear. RSVP – August 21.

Grenfell – August 27 – Vaughan’s Dam Reserve, 10am-3pm, target weeds – St John’s Wort. RSVP – August 21.

BBQ lunch provided. RSVP for catering purposes and directions to Peta Holcombe on 0400 349 181 or [email protected]

Source: Central West Local Land Services.

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