Weeds

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Weeds

What's New

Weeds are plants that are unwanted in a given situation and may be harmful, dangerous or economically detrimental.

Weeds are a serious threat to primary production and biodiversity in Victoria. They reduce farm and forest productivity, displace native species and contribute significantly to land and water degradation.

It is estimated that the annual cost of weeds to Australian agriculture is $4 billion per year through yield losses and product contamination. The costs of weeds to the natural environment is also high, with weed invasion being ranked second only to habitat loss in causing biodiversity decline.

Weeds are a major concern for private land and water managers and for government in Victoria. Weeds have serious impacts on agricultural production and have some direct and indirect social costs through the hindrance of the long-term sustainability of rural communities.
Black Knapweed
Black Knapweed

Despite considerable government and private sector investment, weed invasion still represents a major threat to both the productive capacity of land and water and the integrity of our natural ecosystems.

An efficient weed control program can only be developed after the weed has been properly identified.

Weeds can be managed using many different methods. The most effective management of weeds is usually achieved through collaboration and co-operation, in partnerships between the community, land owners, agriculture, industry and the various levels of government, using a combination of methods in conjunction with a thorough follow-up campaign.

What's New

Mexican feather grass investigation continues

Mexican feather grass, (Nassella tenuissima) a declared State prohibited weed, was inadvertently supplied to and sold by a number of retail chain stores throughout Victoria earlier this year. Investigations by DPI have revealed that as many as 4000 Mexican feather grass plants may have been supplied to stores between January and May 2008.

Following prompt action by DPI officers and retailers, suspect plants were removed from sale. A statewide recall of Mexican feather grass plants has since been initiated by both Big W and Bunnings working in cooperation with DPI.

Bunnings plants - ‘Mothers Day Promotion’- teacups and terracotta

Mexican feather grass is a potentially serious new weed to Australia. A densely tufted perennial tussock growing to approximately 70cm in height, it is drought tolerant, unpalatable to stock and difficult to control.

Mexican feather grass is closely related and similar in appearance to serrated tussock, widely regarded as the worst pasture weed in Australia. While serrated tussock costs Australia more than $50 million a year in lost productivity and control costs, Mexican feather grass has the potential to occupy a far greater area and cause more economic, agricultural and environmental damage.

DPI is taking this incursion of Mexican feather grass very seriously in line with a biosecurity approach to invasive plant management in Victoria. An Incident Management Team (IMT) has been established and is conducting a thorough investigation to limit the incursion and investigate how it occurred.

As of early October, the investigation has involved over 50 DPI officers, over 180 businesses have been inspected and over 2000 suspected Mexican feather grass plants have been seized. In addition to the use of expert botanists to identify plant specimens, DNA technology has been used for the first time under this investigation to analyse and positively identify plants.

DPI is committed to continuing to work with industry and the community to locate and remove this dangerous State prohibited weed.

DPI is responsible for the eradication of State prohibited weeds and urges members of the public not to attempt to control or dispose of this weed themselves, but rather to contact DPI who will arrange for the safe removal of plants.

For further information or to make a report of Mexican feather grass, please call the Customer Service Centre on 136 186.

For more information on Mexican feather grass, view the Mexican feather grass brochure (PDF 471kb) or the Landcare Information Note, Mexican feather grass: State Prohibited Weed (PDF 262Kb).

Big W plants

Bunnings ‘Mothers Day promotion - teacup’

Bunnings - ‘Regal Sensations - Stipa Capillata’

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