Weed control

Overview

MLA invests in weed control research and development (R&D) to create effective and long-lasting methods of eradicating weeds from pastures to create a sustainable feedbase for livestock.

Prevention and control of weeds is key to the cost-effective, long-term maintenance of land condition, which helps create a productive and profitable feedbase.

Weeds can impact enterprise productivity and profitability by impacting the quality and quantity of pastures, or by causing physical injury to animals and illness through the consumption of plant toxins.

Core activities

Initiatives within weed control R&D aim to minimise the competitive impact of weeds that reduce pasture availability for livestock. They include:

• assessing feasibility and distribution of biocontrol agents for common weeds such as parkinsonian and blackberry
• implementing a national initiative to eradicate invasive grasses
• using technology and management systems to reduce the spread of seeds between pastures and properties
• identifying new ways to reduce weed germination and seed set.

Benefits to industry

• Effective short and long term control of weeds improves the growth of the pastures required to feed livestock, which, in turn, helps improve the sustainability and profitability of the red meat industry.
• Better management of pastures to create forage with little-to-no weed presence reduces the risk of livestock ingesting plants that cause illness and injury.