On the back of the welcome rain comes pasture growth, with weeds such as Serrated Tussock, St John’s Wort and African Lovegrass popping their heads up.
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Bega Valley Shire Council will commence its roadside weed control program this month, with all three priority weeds to be part of the spring program.
Council’s acting vegetation management coordinator, Jamie Dixon-Keay, said Serrated Tussock, which grows through winter, is now starting to seed.
He urged all landholders with infestations of this weed, no matter how big or small, to get out and control it.
“The seed can be blown many kilometres so it is vital that everyone knows what it is and whether they have it,” Mr Dixon-Keay said.
“If they do, fully control it, to not only to protect their own land, but also that of their neighbours and areas further afield.”
He suggested chipping it out, bagging and burning any with flower or seed-heads, spot spraying, or boom spraying in areas where it is dense and widespread are all effective ways of dealing with Serrated Tussock.
He also warned that St John’s Wort is beginning to emerge and will also be targeted by council on its road and other reserves.
“It invades degraded areas and those with poor pasture cover, threatening native and introduced plant communities,” he said.
“It is highly invasive and causes photosensitivity in animals.
“Again, if you suspect you have some or have had infestations in the past, inspect and plan control within the next two months to prevent seeding and further spread.
African lovegrass is also emerging following the rain and will be part of the roadside program with control of the weed stretching all the way through to autumn.
“It is a very competitive tussock grass, with low stock feed value and is a threat to agriculture, native grassland and other conservation areas,” Mr Dixon-Keay said.
“Target individual plants before they spread and other infestations to minimise any impacts it may have on your land.”
Monthly roadside control programs are publicised through the public notices on council’s website www.begavalley.nsw.gov.au
For further information contact your local agricultural goods supplier, or council’s vegetation officers on 6499 2222.