Act now to prevent summer weed spread Strategy sets farming vision
Farmers and landholders are encouraged to take action now to prevent weed spread in Gippsland.
With the weather warming up, weeds are actively growing.
Control of invasive weeds such as ragwort and blackberry before the plants set seed and spread further is critical.
Leading biosecurity officer Alex Pattinson said the time for landholders across West and South Gippsland to carry out weed management and prevent seed set is closing quickly.
The state government is backing a bold new strategy for agriculture – helping the industry to grow in the face of constant change so it remains a cornerstone of the state’s economy and delivers better returns for farmers.
Agriculture Minister Jaclyn Symes unveiled the strategy at Maffra recently.
The strategy sets out the government’s vision and commitments to drive a strong, innovative and sustainable sector over the next 10 years.
The strategy outlines 14 commitments under five key themes of recover, grow, modernise, protect and promote.
These include commitments to strengthen local supply chains and manufacturing jobs, export world class products to more markets more often, increase access to AgTech and research, position Victoria as a leader in lowemissions agriculture, and make agriculture a career path for more Victorians.
The strategy will support Victorian farmers and producers to gain a competitive edge as the sector evolves over the next decade and beyond.
To read the strategy and have your say, go to agriculture.vic.gov.au/strategy.
“Under the under the Catchment and Land Protection Act 1994, all land managers have a responsibility to prevent the spread of regionally controlled weeds to ensure they don’t adversely affect agricultural production and the environment,” Ms Pattinson said.
Weed control measures include the application of a registered herbicide, soil cultivation and physical removal. Implementing these control measures now, can minimise seed set and reduce the likelihood of weeds spreading further.
Ms Pattinson said it was imperative that landholders work together to treat their weeds, particularly ragwort, in time to minimise seed set and the risk of spread across adjoining properties.
“Ragwort is a particular menace and sets hundreds of seeds in each flower head, which can remain viable in the soil for many years.
“The ragwort seeds are spread by wind, water, animals, farm machinery and agricultural produce such as hay,” Ms Pattinson said.
Ms Pattinson said landholders could obtain relevant technical advice about identifying weeds that are most likely to occur on their property and the most effective measures suitable for controlling them on the Agriculture Victoria website.