Vegetation Management – Noxious weed control

Have you noticed an increase in roadside weeds like Lantana? Has tree pear or boxthorn made itself at home on your grazing land? You are not alone. Research shows that noxious weed control costs Australia nearly $5 billion dollars every year.

A weed is defined as a plant that is growing anywhere it is not wanted. The vast majority of Australia’s most invasive weeds have been purposely planted as aesthetically pleasing garden flowers that have quickly overrun their garden home and invaded roadsides, grazing and cropping land. The noxious spread of these weeds has impacted agriculture, forestry, recreation, and transport industries. Lantana, many varieties of tree pear, and boxthorn are the most common invasive weeds causing havoc in South East Queensland.

Many of these weeds are toxic to livestock and pets if ingested. Lantana in particular has caused major economic damage to grazing enterprises throughout the state. Cattle that have little else to pick on during times of drought turn to the abundant lantana as a food source. Lantana poisoning eventually leads to the death of the animal and can impact entire herds at a time.