Weed prevention in agriculture

In agriculture, the pathways for spread include transported livestock and fodder, contaminated crop and pasture seeds, deliberate introductions of new species, and contaminated machinery such as harvesters and recreational vehicles (including boats which can spread water weeds).

There are many ways to prevent weeds in agricultural activities which are well known including:

Restricting the opportunity for new weeds to invade and spread:

• Be vigilant about introducing stock, fodder or seed onto your property to ensure weeds will not be introduced.
• When buying stock, find out where the stock has come from and what weeds infest that area.
• Buy certified weed free fodder and seed where possible.
• Restrict the movement of vehicles and machinery on your property in periods when seeds are likely to spread.
• Establish tracks and laneways along which vehicle movement can be concentrated.
• Wash down vehicles which have been in known infested areas.
• Do not allow machinery or vehicles to enter your property unless they are clean.

Quarantine:

• Hold livestock that may be infested with seed in a single location until they are shorn or until weed seeds have had the chance to pass through their digestive system.
• Feed out infested fodder in a feed lot type situation only and introduce clean fodder to stock.

Restricting the spread of existing weed infestations:

• Carry out control works prior to other works.
• Slash and cultivate when weeds are outside of seeding period.
• Work the clean area first and the infested area last. Work from the outside in and clean down equipment prior to moving into a clean area.

Monitor:

• Continually monitor weed infestations and carry out control works.
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