Mosaic Map: NRM funded projects
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An innovative approach to controlling weeds
A farming couple in Central Queensland has found a new way to fight a noxious weed on their property and have former skeptics now nodding in agreement.
Rod and June Jacobsen first noticed Giant Rats Tail Grass on their 5,000 hectare cattle station 'Canal Creek' 13 years ago.
The weed has large seed heads which can survive in the soil for eight to ten years - far longer than native grass seeds.
"We tried all the usual ways of dealing with it, including spraying," Rod said. "But it was hard to reach many of the plants because they were in dense regrowth."
They came up with a proposal which they now say makes "common farming sense".
Instead of trying to spray the weeds into submission, they would encourage them to germinate. "By ploughing the ground you speed up the process, so we aimed to exhaust the seed bank and then to re-establish good pasture to prevent the weeds returning."
About eight years ago they began trialling this approach on a 100 hectare area of the property.
Funding
In 2005 the Australian Government committed $110,000 to help the Jacobsens tackle another 400 hectares. Support was provided by Fitzroy River & Coastal Catchments, and the Fitzroy Basin Association. For every $1 in funding the Jacobsens estimate they have put up $6.
Activities
It is expected that the current work focusing on weeds in dense regrowth will take around three seasons to complete - depending on rainfall.
By early 2007, the land had been ploughed several times to force all the weed seed to germinate. The seed bed had been prepared for sowing a dense forage sorghum crop to prevent further weed germination.
Once rain falls and the forage crop planted, it is grazed and the cycle will be repeated for two more years, after which it is planned to plant pasture grasses and legumes.
"Quarantine is a critical part of the process and we have to fence off the infested country and quarantine cattle and wash off vehicles that go into the area," said Rod.
Achievements
"This method works," said Rod. "The areas we've tackled in the past are now 99 per cent clean of the weed.
"Although we'll always have to spot spray a bit, what would have taken us weeks to spray and sent us broke, can now be done in a day."
More information
- Rod Jacobsen, ‘Canal Creek’ Station landholder: (07) 4934 3109
- Michael McCabe Fitzroy River & Coastal Catchments: (07) 4921 0573
- Fitzroy Basin Association : (07) 4999 2800
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