The Less Weeds Better Pasture Package
MLA has a a complete set of weed management resources on common weeds is now available for red meat producers and their advisors to use.
| Project start date: | 30 September 2018 |
| Project end date: | 27 February 2022 |
| Publication date: | 05 April 2022 |
| Project status: | Completed |
| Livestock species: | Grain-fed Cattle, Grass-fed Cattle, Sheep, Goat, Lamb |
| Relevant regions: | National |
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Download Report
(1.2 MB)
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Summary
The resources created were designed to appeal to visual learning styles of producers and provide a logical progression through weed identification, assessment of dominant weeds, deciding whether to remove the weed and implementation of control tactics. Three separate agronomist groups were trained in using the resources and they showed potential for extending information to producers.
Objectives
1. Set an assessment and decision support tool for common pasture weeds.
2. Develop a suite of regionally suitable intervention tactics to manage common weeds in pasture, supported by technical information on weed lifecycle, seed longevity, impact of season etc.
3. Feedback from four select producer groups or advisors on the value of the approach products and areas for improvement.
4. Delivery of a minimum of 3 ‘workshops’ to retailers, advisors, group facilitators on the use of the assessment tool and exposure to supporting documentation.
Key findings
The weed resources developed in consultation with nine different groups of producers included:
• Assessment and scoring of the dominant weed within Pasture Paramedic tool
• Weed identification within PP technical manual
• Weed fast facts – a booklet guide to support weed management
• Six fact sheets on weed control tactics
• Three short videos on how to successfully implement spray-grazing, winter-cleaning and spray-topping.
Benefits to industry
These resources will help producers increase their knowledge to better control weeds that reduce animal production and desirable species persistence. The resources have undergone road testing with producers and are supported by agronomists and are ready for widespread release.
MLA action
Identification of desirable plants and weed identification was identified as a skill gap which lends itself to be considered for development or inclusion in future training opportunities or events. Agronomists provided feedback that they had concerns with how to approach pastures with multi species of weeds and what could be done about them. A fact sheet could be developed with dealing with the challenges and decisions involving multi weed species.
Future research
Agronomists were very receptive to training and provision of resources that will help in their weed control recommendations. Training of more agronomists is therefore recommended to occur. Training of new graduates, using the new resources created is also likely to have high appeal due to the practicality of information and their appetite for it.
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For more information Contact Project Manager:Andrew Morelli E: reports@mla.com.au |
