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Comparison of effort in 2012-13 with earlier years

for each weed species (see comments below)

for the Reserve or for the Neighbouring paddocks

Reserve

year-on-year

For month by month comparisons of weeding effort for each species, see
the species weeding history page

 

Species Comparative
Effort
(relative to last year)
      Likely reasons
African Lovegrass less Growth conditions were adverse for ALG over the height of summer so spraying was on hold, whereas conditions remained suitable last year.
St. Johns Wort less The intensity of St. John's Wort was less this year than last. For a detailed comparison of the St. John's Wort effort this year compared to last see our St. John's Wort Report 2012 [ pdf 296 kB].
Blackberries more No large plants were found on the Reserve, but all previously treated plants were revisited for re-treatment if required and many new small ones were found and treated.
Briars slightly less The decrease reflects the cessation of grubbing of briars this season. The amount of spraying effort was about the same, but was more efficient with 6000 plants sprayed compared with 4200 last season (see Briars).
Cootamundra wattle less Most of the known Cootamundra wattles were removed last year.
Saffron thistles more More Saffron thistles were in evidence this season compared with last season, and slashing commenced earlier than in previous years. Effort was much less than in 2010-11, in line with severity of infestation.
Horehound much less Little effort was spent on Horehound this season, with other weeds being attributed a higher priority. Although it is still widespread on the Reserve, the intensity of Horehound patches has decreased as a result of earlier efforts.
Verbascum much less Last year's effort included a large component of grubbing (138 h compared with 11 h) - see Verbascum. The reduction in grubbing is attributed to an increased emphasis on spraying as the preferred control method, coupled with the decreased prevalence of V. thapsus (which are more visible and therefore more likely to be targeted by grubbing teams).

Overall the control of Verbascum was very effective this season, with very few plants setting seed.
Thistles (non-Saffron)
[mostly Spear and Scotch thistles]

much less There was a decrease in the amount of effort spent on all methods of controlling non-Saffron thistles (see Thistles). Grubbing, bagging and scything were down by 65% and spraying by 35%. This suggests a much lower prevalence of these thistles this season compared with the previous two seasons, either because of less suitable climatic conditions or because the control methods in previous years have been successful.

Paterson's Curse much more There has been much more Paterson's curse this season than in the previous two, and there was an intensive spraying campaign in both in Spring and in Autumn.
Capeweed similar Although identified as a problem weed in the Weed Management Plan, its prevalence was not great and this has continued to be the case, with only small efforts required each season to date.
Exotic grasses [Serrated tussock and Chilean Needle grass]

more We have been more vigilant about Serrated tussock this year, and have also found a small amount of Chilean Needle grass.
Other woody weeds about the same The effort spent on woody weeds has varied little across the last three seasons.
Other broadleafs less The bulk of the effort in this category has been spent on Fleabane control in the last two seasons. Fleabane was less prevalent this season than in 2011-12.
Nightshade much less There was much less Nightshade in 2012-13, probably because conditions were less suitable and because there was a lot of effort spent controlling in in 2011-12.
Prickly lettuce much less Not much Prickly lettuce present in the last two seasons.


Neighbouring paddocks (Bottom Pinnacle and North Kama)

Species Comparative
Effort
(relative to last year)
      Likely reasons
African Lovegrass the same
St. Johns Wort much more Last season all St. John's wort spraying in the neighbouring paddocks was done by PCS contractors, but this season, because the contractors were delayed and less effort was required on the Reserve, fotpin did some spraying.
For a detailed comparison of the St. John's Wort effort this year compared to last see our St. John's Wort Report 2012 [ pdf 296 kB].
Blackberries more Control of blackberries this year included the whole of the Bottom Pinnacle and North Kama paddocks. No large plants were found on the Reserve, although many new small ones were found and treated.
Briars much more Little attempt had been made at Briar control in the neighbouring paddocks until this season, when a large amount of de-hipping, cutting and daubing and some spraying was carried out (see Briars).
Cootamundra wattle      - No Cootamundra wattle control was done outside the Reserve.
Saffron thistles much more Little Saffron thistle control had been carried out in the neighbouring paddocks until this season when an a large mount of scything and slashing of dense patches was carried out as well as a small spraying trial.
Horehound about the same There are some severe patches of Horehound in North Kama in particular that are sprayed when time is available and stock are not present.
Verbascum about the same When time was available, effort was put into bagging seed heads and grubbing some of the intense Verbascum patches in the neighbouring paddocks, to minimise re-infestation of the Reserve (see Verbascum).
Thistles (non-Saffron)
[mostly Spear and Scotch thistles]

much more Effort not required on the Reserve was diverted to controlling Spear and Scotch thistles in the neighbouring paddocks (see Thistles). More time was available this year than in previous years.
Paterson's Curse much more There has been much more Paterson's curse this season than in the previous two, and there was an intensive spraying campaign in both in Spring and in Autumn. As with other species, decreased requirements on the Reserve made it possible to spend more time in the neighbouring paddocks attempting to control the re-infestation of the Reserve.
Capeweed      - Little effort spent
Exotic grasses [Serrated tussock and Chilean Needle grass]

much more We have been more vigilant about Serrated tussock this year, and have also found a small amount of Chilean Needle grass. Control in the neighbouring paddocks is necessary to minimise spread into the Reserve.
Other woody weeds much more Available capacity meant we could extend effort on woody weed control to the neighbouring paddocks this year, primarily the Bottom Pinnacle.
Other broadleafs much more But a very small effort - broadleafs grubbed in passing while targeting other species.
Nightshade      - Little effort spent
Prickly lettuce      - No effort spent

 

 

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