Not too late for ragwort control

Agriculture Victoria is encouraging land managers across the West Gippsland Catchment to undertake ragwort control before flowers set seed towards the end of January.

Agriculture Victoria has contacted more than 50 local landholders to encourage early season ragwort control and help reduce the spread of this highly invasive weed throughout the catchment.

Leading biosecurity officer Hayden Greaves said while early season control was most effective, there was still time to prevent ragwort infestations setting seed.

“Ragwort is declared a regionally controlled weed in West Gippsland and all land managers have a legal responsibility to prevent the growth and spread of this species on their property..

“There are a number of prescribed measures for ragwort control including the application of a registered herbicide, soil cultivation and physical removal.”

Mr Greaves said it was essential that any herbicide be used according to label recommendations.

“Each ragwort plant can produce up to 150,000 seeds with many remaining viable for well over a decade. Failing to prevent ragwort seeding can result in the further spread of this species and increased weed control costs for years to come.”