Section 5 Case studies - Weeds Australia

Murray uses a novel approach in his spray
application for serrated tussock: a modified
drench gun to apply a metered dose to each
tussock plant. Because the spray is targeted to
the base of the plant, it has minimal effect on the
surrounding pasture cover, helping to reduce the
area of bare ground on which serrated tussock
seed could germinate.
Ensuring pastures retain their vigour is also
important. For the introduced pastures, fertiliser
is applied at rates based on soil test results. This
averages about 125 kilograms per hectare of
single superphosphate per year. For the native
pastures, about every five years Murray excludes
stock in late spring to allow the pastures to set
seed.
The result
The control program implemented on ‘Brooklyn’
has allowed grazing capacity to double over
the past 20 years, thereby improving farm
profitability.
Murray Stephenson of ‘Brooklyn’, Binda, says various
techniques such as spot spraying have helped weed
control on his property.
Stephenson
Given that the carrying capacity has risen from
3.5 dry sheep equivalent per hectare (DSE/ha) 20
years ago to seven DSE/ha today, the return from
each hectare of the farm has essentially doubled.
Based on an estimated gross margin of $40/DSE,
Murray has, over the past 20 years, increased
annual returns by about $140/ha.
In addition, Murray says that the value of the
farm has also increased, now that it is relatively
free of serrated tussock.
The future
The Stephenson’s plan is to continue their
serrated tussock management strategy and
are aiming to eradicate this weed from their
property.
Case study from – Australian Wool
Innovation’s Beyond the Bale Edition 28
Stephenson
‘Brooklyn’, Binda where the Stephensons have concentrated their attack on weed management.
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