Weeds typically have one or more of the following characteristics;
- Poisonous to livestock
- Contaminate agricultural produce
- Restrict livestock movement and access to pastures
- Occupy space and resources that could be used by better species
- Efficient methods of dispersal
- High seed production
- Large and persistent seedbank
- Impact on ecological or aesthetic values
- Tolerant of a wide range of climatic and environmental conditions
MLA's weed investment strategy
- There are currently in excess of 300 pasture and rangeland weed species. Effective weed management requires an understanding of weed ecology and control technologies that can be used within Australian farming systems.
- MLA’s Weeds Investment Strategy will focus R&D efforts towards new and emerging weeds, significant weeds with poor control, new approaches to old weeds and weed control in production systems.
- MLA’s R&D program is critical to provide new knowledge and the tools required to effectively control weeds. MLA aims to maintain delivery systems that provide producers with the skills, knowledge, understanding and tools to confidently control weeds.
View MLA's Tips & Tools on weeds: a range of short pubications designed to provide practical information producers can use on-farm right now.
The 3D approach to weed management
MLA along with Australian Wool Innovation, has released a series of weed-management guides and case studies based on the 3Ds of weed management:
- Deliberation: Where am I? Where do I want to be?
- Diversity: What tools do I need? How do I get there?
- Diligence: How do I stay there?
3D Weeds case studies: Read case studies of other producers experiences:
3D Weed best practice manuals: practical guides for African Lovegrass, Chilean needle grass, Onopordum Thistles, Patersons Curse, Serrated Tussock and Silverleaf Nightshade.
Learn more about 3D weed management
Garden plants: harmless or hazardous?
An article in MLA's feedback magazine raised the question about some garden plants being toxic for livestock.
They seemed harmless enough at the time – lantana and rubber vine were popular, decorative garden plants early last century – but as many producers across the country can attest these ‘harmless’ plants found their way over the backyard fence and their impact is still being felt.
Lantana and rubber vine quickly took up residence and currently cover four million hectares in NSW and 34.6 million ha (20%) in Queensland.
Significant risks
There are 281 introduced garden plants and 800 lower priority species that present a significant risk to australia’s grazing industries should they naturalise. Of the 281 species:
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Nearly all have been recorded overseas as agricultural or environmental weeds (or both);
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More than one tenth (11%) have been recorded as noxious weeds overseas;
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At least one third (33%) are toxic and may harm or even kill livestock; almost all have been commercially available in Australia in the last 20 years;
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Over two thirds (70%) were still available from australian nurseries in 2004;
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Almost two thirds (72%) are not currently recognised as weeds under either State or Commonwealth legislation.
Read the feedback cover story: Harmless or Hazardous? (PDF, 84KB)
MLA’s feedback magazine is free to MLA members or $66 for an annual subscription.
A detailed report into this issue follows the conclusion of a joint research project funded by Meat and Livestock Australia and conducted by the Co-operative Research Centre (CRC) for Australian Weed Management. Download a copy of the report: Weeds of the future? Threats to Australias grazing industries by garden plants (PDF, 880KB).
More information