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Avoid The Curse Gippsland landowners have been urged to take early action to eradicate Paterson’s Curse, a toxic weed which can cause liver damage or can kill grazing animals. By Department of Primary Industries - 3rd September 2007 - Back to News In recent years Paterson’s Curse has spread throughout Victoria, particularly in the north east, and is now being sighted in all areas of Gippsland.
The weed, which flowers from September until December, has an attractive bluish-purple tubular flower said to resemble Salvation Army bonnets which makes it easy to identify.
However, Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Pest Management Officer, Durwin Copelin, has warned that once the weed flowers it is often too late to undertake an affective control program.
Mr Copelin says good livestock and pasture management could help avoid animal mortality and urged landowners to be vigilant now to eradicate new infestations before they take hold.
"Landowners should have a strategy in place now to keep clean areas free of Paterson’s Curse and manage infestations in a way that prevents further spread," Mr Copelin said.
"Identifying the plant early also reduces the amount of chemical needed to control the plant which has the added benefit of helping the growth of pasture grasses," he said.
Germinating after autumn rains, the young rosettes of Paterson's Curse are quite distinctive and are relatively easy to recognise.
During this stage, seedlings first form a large, flat, dark green rosette spanning up to 30 cm with broad, oval-shaped leaves. The mature plant is distinctive by its vivid purple colour when in flower.
Once a weed has begun to flower, its seeds can be spread by vehicles, farm implements, humans, animals, water, in hay, silage and wool, and as contaminant of commercial seed.
Mr Copelin says for best long term control, infested areas are best quarantined and tackled progressively as part of good pasture management plan.
"Pasture establishment is a vital follow up to any control measures undertaken," he says. "Once pasture is established, appropriate grazing management, fertiliser regimes and weed control maintenance programs are crucial."
The weed, first introduced into Australia as a garden plant in 1843, contains a toxin which can cause chronic liver damage in grazing animals. This damage is cumulative and with repeated exposure the plant will cause death. As well, the stiff bristles on the mature plants can irritate cow’s udders
From October 8, DPI will begin inspections of 25 properties in the Maffra district as part of a Peterson’s Curse control program.
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com
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