Weeds & Pests

The Cumberland Livestock Health and Pest Authority is set to undertake a broad scale release of rabbit hemorrhagic disease (RHD) across the northern Sydney region in a major effort aimed at reducing the ecological impact of urban rabbit populations.

The release of RHD, also known as rabbit calicivirus, will take place in late February when there is improved likelihood of the virus spreading via flies and mosquitoes.

Rabbits are a declared pest species in NSW and must be continually suppressed and destroyed in accordance with the Rural Lands Protection Act. There are several available methods of rabbit control that can be undertaken:

1. Fumigation

A free booklet titled Weed Detection and Control on Small Farms offers crucial guidance for small farm owners struggling to identify and manage weeds on their land. Developed by the University of New England (UNE) in Armidale, NSW, and funded by Land & Water Australia, this booklet is the result of extensive research led by Professor Brian Sindel and his team.

Scientists from Industry & Investment (I&I) NSW and NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) staff are working with local landholders and Livestock Health and Pest Authority (LHPA) rangers to test the most effective rates for 1080 aerial baiting of wild dogs.

They will measure the effectiveness of 1080 at rates of 10 baits per kilometre and 40 baits per kilometre against a control with no 1080 bait in this research project funded through the Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre and NPWS.

The Livestock Health and Pest Authorities State Management Council has developed a new shorter training course which will allow landholders to use 1080 and Pindone baits on their properties.

Funded and approved by the Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water (DECCW), all LHPAs across the state are now offering a three-hour course to give landholders a clear understanding of 1080 and Pindone use and their legal obligations.

What are good bugs?

Most pest species (bad bugs) have natural enemies (good bugs) that regulate their populations. These good bugs are known as beneficial organisms (also called ‘beneficials’) and include predators and parasitoids. They form the biological component of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategy.

How can I use beneficials on my small farm?

The public has been reminded to keep watch for significant weeds which could germinate after recent rainfall.

The call from the Department of Agriculture and Food comes after the discovery of the declared weed Mexican Poppy in Bunbury.

Technical officer Brett Vukelic said six plants had been discovered on a construction site in the city during a routine inspection by the department.

“Mexican Poppy is a P2 declared weed in the South West, which means it must be destroyed,” Mr Vukelic said.

 Weeds pose a serious threat to human and animal health, to primary production and to our natural environment. Weeds reduce farm productivity, displace native species and contribute to on-going land degradation and reduced land values. (Photo shows cattle dead after feeding on the noxious weed, green cestrum (Cestrum parqui).