If the turnout to a council-led information day on a highly invasive weed taking hold in far north Queensland is an indication of the severity of the problem, then landowners need to stop and listen.
Around 200 people attended Tableland Regional Council’s navua sedge information day – four times the number expected.
Landowners came from across the far north, an indication of how far the weed has spread to hear good grazing management and specific chemical control were key tools in the arsenal against navua sedge.
Bernie English, a beef extension officer with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, believes navua sedge is the worst weed he’s seen.
“It’s invasive, hard to get rid of and you have to be very vigilant with your properties to keep it out,” Mr English said
Mr English, who has worked in the grazing industry for more than 40 years, said producers need to adopt good pasture management.
“Good pasture management that maintains ground cover is the key to any weed management,” Mr English said.
“We have 40 odd dairyfarmers, 800 beef producers and about 150,000 head of cattle. It’s not a big part of the industry in Queensland but it’s a very productive area.”
Mr English said stocking rates were the key to managing ground cover.
“The key to managing your ground cover is the number of mouths you have,” Mr English said.
“I drive around the Tablelands and a lot of us overgraze too much and that puts you vulnerable to weeds.
“Get about your farm and be very observant.”
Kirsty Lamperd, regulatory services manager at TRC, said weed hygiene was critical.
She encouraged landowners to question the origins of any equipment that arrived on their properties.
“Your property is precious for you, you have to look after it,” Ms Lamperd said.
TRC has four washdown bays, located in the wetter parts of the shire, with a fifth to come on line soon.
Other sources of infestation can come from new cattle and water sources including waterways, drains, creeks and rivers, the latter particularly after flooding.
Nick Matthews, research and development officer with Nurfarm whose product Sempra is the only chemical control available, said navua sedge preferred Wet Tropics, was very competitive and its growth was temperature dependant.
“It can completely dominate pasture so that can reduce carrying capacity,” Mr Matthews said.
“If effective use of that land is removed by presence of navua sedge, clearly that will impact on your valuation.”
Mr Matthews suggested an integrated approach comprising two sprays, 10 weeks apart with good grazing management.
“This will control navua sedge present and significantly reduces subsequent population,” Mr Matthew said.
“Maintaining healthy pasture is really important. Be prepared to follow up annually every 2 to 3 years.”