Published since 1986
NOVEMBER, 2019
Fight against swine fever
Revamp for Euroa’s Wool Week
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www.farmernews.com.au
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Wade achieving dreams
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Capeweed indicative of a larger problem BY EMMA OLIVER PASTURES covered in the striking yellow of capeweed are a reminder of a year of lower rainfall, and drought conditions that allowed this monoculture to thrive while other grasses and clovers failed to prosper. Arctotheca calendula or capeweed is native to South Africa, but is naturalised throughout the temperate half of Australia, and many parts of the world including Europe, New Zealand and southwestern USA. A member of the sunflower family the herb is deemed a noxious weed in parts of the world, however, capeweed in Australia is not considered a significant threat and is awarded low priority in weed management schemes. It is a common weed of habitation and though increasingly becoming a problem in natural areas posing a threat to the integrity of plant FRPPXQLWLHV LW LV FODVVLo HG as merely an environmental
weed in Victoria and treated accordingly. “There are far more VLJQLo FDQW SULRULWLHV WR EH dealt with than capeweed,� said Neil Devanny, chairperson of the Gecko ClaN, a community Landcare Network which supports 19 Landcare groups stretching from Yarrawonga to the Strathbogie Ranges to Nagambie. Based in Euroa, Mr Devanny wears numerous hats, being not only chairperson of the Gecko ClaN but also chairperson of the Granites Creek Landcare Network and Gooram Valley Landcare, and among other things is a board member of the Victorian Rabbit Action Network. He is thoroughly versed in issues pertaining to pest plant and animal control, and believes capeweed to be more indicative of a larger problem relating to sustainable agriculture and biodiversity. “Capeweed is in your face, but it’s more a distraction from the real issues that are around,� Mr Devanny said.
“It’s not high priority, it’s a pasture weed. “There are much more problematic weeds like blackberry, St John’s wort, prairie ground cherry, various RWKHU FODVVLo HG ZHHGV “Capeweed is like Paterson’s curse – it’s a waste of money to have government funding thrown at it. “It falls into the category of land management by individual landowners.� Capeweed is a visual representation of a more VLJQLo FDQW LVVXH ZLWK the pasture, be it soil fertility, overstocking or understocking, poor grazing management or problems with introduced pest species destroying or inhibiting native grass and pasture growth. “If you over-graze you have capeweed,� Mr Devanny said. “It’s up to land managers to manage their land in a way that minimises its impact. “You are never going to get rid of it, so it’s a matter of controlling it.
GO FAHR GO FURTHER with a 5105.4G
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A LOVE OF PISTACHIOS: Tim and Krystin Mynard have 500 wellestablished pistachio trees over their 10 acre block, just outside of Cobram. „ Turn to page 4 for their story.
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