Section 5 Case studies - Weeds Australia

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<strong>Case</strong> Study 1 Changing land-use manages serrated tussock problem Summary Robert Hyles has thrown almost every technique possible at controlling serrated tussock on his farm on the southern highlands of NSW. As a result, he has not only reduced the tussock problem, but also broadened his farming enterprise. The problem “Woodlands”, situated in the southern highlands, and straddling the NSW−ACT border, is a fifth generation merino sheep (ewes and wethers) grazing enterprise. The annual rainfall averages 635 mm, though drought has been a factor for the past seven years. Like many properties in the region, it had been increasingly invaded by serrated tussock for over forty years. Initially the tussock was predominantly on the eastern aspect of the property’s hilly country—probably established from seed borne on prevailing westerly winds. This less fertile, hilly country was traditionally where the wethers grazed. Their grazing created bare patches on the ground, which provided ideal conditions for the establishment of serrated tussock. Gradually the weed spread and thickened. In the 1980s, the Hyles were ordered by the local council to aerial spray approximately 50 ha of the hills with flupropanate at 2 L/ha to control serrated tussock. According to Robert, the exercise was a “disaster”. It certainly killed the serrated tussock but it also decimated the native grasses and serrated tussock quickly reestablished itself. Native grasses that regrew were quickly selectively grazed out by the sheep. The problem became worse than ever. Robert implemented a range of strategies from spraying to fencing to grazing management and plantations, but initially he did not have a strategy aimed at longer-term control. In 1999, circumstances arose which motivated him to take a more planned approach to serrated tussock control. He noted that: “The first thing is to admit we have a problem.” While implementing his strategy for serrated tussock control, Robert was faced with a further problem. In 2004, the Department of Defence compulsorily acquired 200 ha of his property, Key messages • Creatively implementing serrated tussock control techniques can mean that some of the techniques are a means for more diversified farm income. • Active pasture management can mean that serrated tussock is out-competed by desirable grasses. • There can be significant advantages in considering serrated tussock control as part of the whole farm enterprise. reducing its size to 1414 ha freehold and 400 ha leasehold. The acquisition process caused delays in the implementation of some of Robert’s plans for serrated tussock control. The approach Robert realised early that no one approach would be successful to effectively control serrated tussock. He employs a range of control methods, some conventional and some more innovative. Robert has also sought, and gained, significant assistance from various programs and initiatives to implement his control approaches, especially once he was selected to become a participant in a pioneer project for farmers to sell environment services (the ESS scheme). What has been done Spraying: Robert has various large and smaller spray units for herbicide application to serrated tussock. He has adapted a quick spray unit to enable it to be simultaneously used by one to ten sprayers. He has also adapted spray units to fit on motorbikes usually used for mustering sheep. The rider can simply spray patches of tussock while engaged in mustering. He employs family, contractors, Green Corp teams and others to help with large scale serrated tussock spraying exercises. 88
Hand pulling: All farm vehicles are equipped with a small mattock, which the rider/driver can use to remove tussock. Alternatively, everyone is encouraged to simply pull single plants out by hand—best in bare ground, gravel, under trees or after rain. Pine plantations: Using a bulldozer, Robert ripped and mounded the area that had previously been aerial sprayed and planted it with pine seedlings at a density of 1000 per hectare. His motivation for planting the trees is summed up in the statement: “I realise that there are areas that I’ll never beat the serrated tussock, that’s why I plant trees.” Establishment of native trees: Robert decided to plant native trees, or regenerate native trees and understorey species, on about 290 ha of his land. Depending on their location, the trees act as wildlife corridors between existing vegetation remnants, firebreaks or shelterbelts. Greening <strong>Australia</strong> direct seeded the more easily accessible areas of the property, using a Roden III device. Robert seeded the more intractable areas using a ground ripper and seeder he designed and pulled behind a tractor. He also designed and used a simple hand seeder for use in steep rocky areas. (He subsequently patented and sold the idea to a retailer). She oak planting: On an 8 ha eroded base of a hill that also contained serrated tussock, Robert established a commercial plantation of Casuarina cunninghamii, planting seedlings into ripped and mounded rows using Pottiputki planters. Hybrid eucalypts: In a 0.5 ha salt scald, he established a commercial plantation of “Saltgrow” hybrid eucalyptus. He planted the seedlings into ripped and mounded rows by spade. Pasture trials: Robert conducted a pasture trial in a 10 ha paddock where a mother-lode of serrated tussock existed. In the first two years, he sowed winter wheat as a fodder crop followed by a phalaris/clover pasture. Using a commercial spreader he applied superphosphate (plus molybdenum) to the paddock over intervals of four years and ordinary (single) superphospate in intervening years. He also locked the paddock up periodically to allow the pasture to go to seed. In other paddocks he spread sewage ash at up to five tons per hectare (containing 60% lime and 8% phosphorus—some of which is locked up and released over time). Robert harvests his own phalaris seed and uses it to sow into thinning existing pastures. Such practices can increase the competitive edge of the pasture against serrated tussock. Robert Hyles Strategic use of trees for serrated tussock management in a steep difficult landscape. 89
Page 1: Section 5 Case studies 1. Changing
Page 5 and 6: Case Study 2 Pasture management Sum
Page 7 and 8: Case Study 3 Controlling serrated t
Page 9 and 10: Case Study 4 Tackling serrated tuss
Page 11 and 12: Tea tree being used to out-compete
Page 13 and 14: Urban serrated tussock infestations
Page 15 and 16: Case Study 6 Cooperative approach b
Page 17 and 18: The result According to Council, as
Page 19 and 20: Results of careful glyphosate spot
Page 21 and 22: The result No serrated tussock plan
Page 23 and 24: Case Study 10 Serrated tussock stra

Section 5 Case studies - Weeds Australia

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