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Reducing Weed Risk After Gippsland Fires

The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) is alerting landowners affected by the recent bushfires in Gippsland to the increased risks of weed invasion and the impact on farms and the environment during the recovery period after wildfire.

By Department of Primary Industries - 12th August 2009 - Back to News

"The activities that pose the greatest risk of weed invasion after fire is the movement and importation of fodder onto farmland and the introduction of new stock," DPI Gippsland Catchment Coordinator - Pest Management, Bob Wilson, said.

"The movement of weeds can often be overlooked while property owners are dealing with other pressing fire issues and it may not be until some months after fire that it is noticed that weed impact maybe a costly legacy left by fire to the farmer."

To minimise this risk, farmers and land managers are being asked to implement some simple actions which may save money, environmental values and avoid future stress while recovering from fire.

Farmers are encouraged to develop measures such as:

· Checking the origin of feed or hay, to make sure it doesn’t contain weeds or come from known weed infested areas.

· Feeding out in a confined area away from drainage lines.

· Be suspicious of unfamiliar plants that germinate in the areas where introduced fodder has been fed out.

· Securing fodder loads during transit.

· Cleaning vehicles after deliveries of fodder in a designated area where weed seeds can’t disperse, ensuring future weed germination can be easily detected and weeds destroyed.

· Confining new stock, preferably shorn, to one paddock for at least a week after arrival.

· Avoiding travel through known weed infestations when moving stock along roadsides.

· Ensuring that contractors’ vehicles and equipment are clean and free of weeds before entering properties.

· Utilising weed identification skills to identify suspect plants. Seek advice from neighbours, community groups and industry experts on the identification of unfamiliar plants.

For further information on minimising weed spread, weed identification and control, contact your local DPI Pest Management Officer at Ellinbank on 5624 2222 or Leongatha on 5662 9900; or call the Customer Service Centre on 136 186.


Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com



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